Multi Level Classes - Freedom of information requests
Title or Description
Multi Level Classes
FOI Number
20250592
Date Received
06/05/2025
Type of Request
FOI
Request or Question
1. In the current academic year (2024-2025) in your local authorities secondary schools the number of schools where there are ‘multi level’ classes? 2. In the current academic year (2024-2025) in your local authorities secondary schools the number of classes which are ‘multi level’ classes?
3. In the current academic year (2024-2025) in your local authorities secondary schools the number of schools where ‘multi level’ classes cover pupils of two different levels. For example National five and higher. If possible, please provide details of what subjects are being taught in these multi-level classes.
4. In the current academic year (2024-2025) in your local authorities secondary schools the number of schools where ‘multi level’ classes cover pupils of three different levels. For example National Four, National Five and Higher. If possible, please provide details of what subjects are being taught in these multi-level classes.
5. In the current academic year (2024-2025) in your local authorities secondary schools the number of schools where ‘multi level’ classes cover pupils of four different levels. For example National four, National Five, Higher and Advanced Higher. If possible, please provide details of what subjects are being taught in these multi-level classes.
6. In the current academic year (2024-2025) in your local authorities secondary schools the number of classes where ‘multi level’ classes cover pupils of two different levels. For example National five and higher. If possible, please provide details of what subjects are being taught in these multi-level classes.
7. In the current academic year (2024-2025) in your local authorities secondary schools the number of classes where ‘multi level’ classes cover pupils of three different levels. For example National Four, National Five and Higher. If possible, please provide details of what subjects are being taught in these multi-level classes.
8. In the current academic year (2024-2025) in your local authorities secondary schools the number of classes where ‘multi level’ classes cover pupils of four different levels. For example National four, National Five, Higher and Advanced Higher. If possible, please provide details of what subjects are being taught in these multi-level classes.
Response
1. All nine secondary schools
2. 57
3. All nine
4. 9
5. 3
6.See spreadsheet
7. See spreadsheet
8. See spreadsheet There are many reasons why classes are not single stream qualifications, and this should not be portrayed as a negative. Reason that there are multi level classes are : * All nine schools timetable vertically from S4-S6, not in single stages * Only 2 schools have a roll of over 1000 * Two school have a roll of 500 or less and so they will only have one class for S4-6. * Some subjects, especially the practical ones such as music and art suit multi-level teaching as portfolios and performance are individual * Multi-level classes support keeping the curricular offer wider. If schools don’t have multi level classes, there maybe a danger that the subject doesn’t run at all * While there are lots of multi-level classes, the majority of classes start off at the higher level of qualification and then pupils may drop down to the lower level after prelims. Not all classes start out as bi or tri level from the outset. * Having a single stream class, say for National 4 only, is not always aspirational for pupils and can put a ceiling on their level of attainment
