Mixed-age planning needs more than two schemes placed side by side
Teachers in mixed-age classes need to find the mathematical connection between year-group expectations, decide what can be taught together and plan meaningful variation. LTD helps make that thinking visible through concept progressions, related lessons and adaptable tasks.
A mixed-age class exploring a shared mathematical concept at different levels of complexity.
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The challenge
Running two unrelated lesson sequences at the same time creates a heavy planning load and can fragment teaching. At the other extreme, giving every pupil the same task may overlook important curriculum differences.
A stronger mixed-age plan begins with the common concept, then varies the number range, representation, level of generalisation or independent expectation.
How LTD supports mixed-age teaching
Concept progressions: See how an idea develops across adjacent year groups and identify a sensible shared starting point.
Related lesson sequences: Select lessons that use common representations and language, even where the expected outcomes differ.
Adaptable tasks: Change quantities, constraints, recording or reasoning demands without changing the mathematical focus.
Assessment links: Identify which pupils need an earlier concept and which are ready to move further.
A practical planning model
Identify the shared idea
For example, both year groups may be developing place value, additive strategies or fraction equivalence at different levels.
Choose the common representation
Use a model that can hold the mathematics for both groups, such as a place value chart, number line, array or fraction strip.
Plan the variation
Adjust the number range, complexity, recording or reasoning so each group works towards the appropriate expectation.
Bring the learning back together
Use the plenary discussion to compare structure and strategies, not simply answers from different worksheets.
Show how one mathematical idea is planned across two year groups with different numbers, representations or expected outcomes.
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- A4 landscape preview, 1600px wide minimum
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What the planning documents should include
- Year-group expectations placed side by side
- Shared mathematical focus
- Suggested common representations
- Linked LTD lessons
- Possible whole-class launch
- Hands-on task variations
- Independent expectations for each group
- Assessment notes and next steps
Mixed-age combinations
List only combinations for which complete planning documents are available. Likely pages may include Reception and Year 1, Years 1 and 2, Years 2 and 3, Years 3 and 4, Years 4 and 5, and Years 5 and 6, depending on the final England build.
Support for small schools
Small schools may also need help with rolling programmes, resource purchasing and staff access across several mixed-age classes. The school enquiry form should invite leaders to describe their class structure so the LTD team can recommend a suitable setup.
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