Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the training which is given at primary level regarding the teaching of mixed classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24822/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The teaching of mixed classes, or multi-class teaching as it is more commonly known, is an important aspect of differentiated teaching and learning. All students in initial teacher education courses study the area of differentiation as a mandatory element of their programme, which is set out by the Teaching Council.  Students must also undertake a minimum of two placement settings incorporating a variety of teaching situations, class levels and school contexts, including, where possible, multi-class/mixed ability teaching situations. Graduates of primary initial teacher education must also be able to demonstrate that they have established classroom management strategies and organisation skills to cater for a range of classroom situations.

Newly qualified teachers receive additional support in multi-class teaching and differentiation through the mandatory workshop programme provided by the National Induction Programme for Teachers. The Professional Development Service for Teachers provides continuous professional development for teachers in differentiated teaching and learning, which is a core methodology of all classrooms. Discrete support for multi-class teaching is provided through the delivery of customised school-based support to individual schools or to clusters of schools who engage in regional and local projects where schools have multi-class settings.