SEND Five-a-day

Laying the foundation for flexible grouping.

· To set the tone for flexible grouping, let students know at the year’s outset that they will be switching groups frequently. · Think about your learners: e.g. those the struggle with change (autistic spectrum disorder) how can you prepare them in advance.

What can flexible grouping look like in practice?

Allocating groups flexibly, based on the individual needs that pupils currently share with other pupils. Grouping pupils together where they all need additional instruction to carry out a skill, remember a fact or understand a concept. Setting up opportunities for collaborative learning across a heterogenous group , for example pupils with a range of attainment levels. Using formative assessment around particular tasks and topics to determine what groupings will best support pupils with specific pieces of learning.