Building classrooms with purpose and care

Class creation is one of the most consequential decisions Australian schools make each year, yet many still rely on spreadsheets and sticky notes to sort hundreds of students. Class Creator, founded in 2014 and used by 179,000 educators globally, draws on 39 million student data points and 28 million placements to help school leaders build balanced, intentional classrooms. The platform positions class composition as a school improvement strategy, supporting academic progress, student wellbeing and teacher effectiveness as student needs grow more complex.

Why is class creation so important for Australian schools?

Class creation is one of the few decisions a school makes each year that directly touches every student, teacher and classroom. Amy Dooney, head of operations at Class Creator, says the stakes are higher than many leaders realise. 'It has a direct impact on learning, behaviour, wellbeing, inclusion and teacher workload,' Dooney says. Schools invest heavily in student achievement and wellbeing programs, yet the success of those initiatives is often shaped by which classroom a student lands in. Dooney says that is precisely why it deserves strategic attention from school leadership teams. 'That's why it should be viewed as a school improvement strategy, not simply an administrative task,' she says. The distinction matters because the quality of a placement decision shapes the entire school year for students and teachers alike.

How has growing student complexity changed class composition in Australian schools?

Today's classrooms are more demanding than they were even 10 years ago. Dooney says schools are supporting a broader range of needs than ever before. 'Greater awareness of student wellbeing, increasing mental health concerns, more inclusive education practices and growing recognition of individual learning needs mean today's classrooms are more complex than they were even a decade ago,' she says. Teachers are now expected to cater for varying academic abilities, behavioural needs, social dynamics and wellbeing considerations, often within the same classroom. This growing complexity is driving a clear shift in how school leaders think about class composition, moving it from a logistical chore to a deliberate act of school design. Treating class lists as a strategic tool, rather than an end-of-year admin job, is becoming standard practice in Australian schools.

What factors should schools consider when building class lists?

Intentional class composition requires looking at the full picture of each student, not just academic data. Dooney says schools should consider learning needs, behaviour, wellbeing, friendships, support requirements and other factors that may affect a student's classroom experience. 'Intentional placement means looking beyond academic data and considering the full picture of each student,' she explains. The goal is to create balanced classes that work for both students and teachers. Dooney draws a clear distinction between placing students where they fit and placing them where they are most likely to succeed. 'The difference is that one approach focuses on where students fit, while the other focuses on where students are most likely to succeed,' she says. That distinction, she adds, can have a lasting impact throughout the school year.

How does class composition affect student wellbeing and sense of belonging in Australian schools?

Where a student is placed can shape how connected they feel to school every single day. Dooney says class composition is highly influential for student wellbeing, classroom culture and a child's chance of succeeding. 'A student's sense of belonging often starts in the classroom. The peers they interact with, the relationships they build and the environment they learn in all contribute to how connected they feel to school,' she explains. Class placement alone will not determine a student's future, but Dooney says it can significantly influence confidence, participation, behaviour and engagement. When students are placed in balanced classrooms where they feel supported and included, schools build stronger foundations for both wellbeing and long-term learning. Getting this right at the start of the year pays dividends well beyond term one.

How does Class Creator make class creation faster and more reliable for schools?

Class Creator replaces handwritten cards, spreadsheets and sticky notes with a streamlined, data-driven process. Teachers complete a customisable survey capturing academic performance, behaviour, social dynamics, learning support needs and separation and pairing requests. Smart algorithms then generate balanced class lists in minutes. The platform holds 39 million student data points and has helped produce 1.3 million classes across thousands of schools worldwide. Dooney says centralising this information is also practical for schools managing staff transitions. 'Class Creator centralises data to help preserve this knowledge by storing student information, teacher notes, placement decisions and the reasons behind them,' she says. Valuable context stays with the school rather than walking out the door when staff change roles, so future placement decisions can be informed by what actually worked.

When should Australian schools start thinking about class creation for the following year?

Starting class creation conversations earlier in the school year gives leaders a real advantage. Dooney says that by the time class lists are being actively built, many of the decisions that shape the process have already been made. 'Starting the conversation earlier gives leadership teams time to review their approach, gather meaningful student information and ensure important knowledge isn't lost,' she says. A key challenge many schools face is retaining the context behind previous placement decisions, particularly when staff move roles or leave. Beginning early, and using a platform that stores context over time, means schools can learn from past outcomes and build on them. Teams that delay the conversation often find themselves reconstructing institutional knowledge from scratch at the busiest point of the year.

How does thoughtful class composition support teachers and improve whole-class outcomes?

Thoughtful class composition benefits everyone in the room, not just students with complex needs. Dooney says when classes are built with care, teachers are better placed to support every learner effectively across the whole group. 'When classes are thoughtfully composed, teachers are better positioned to support learning across the whole group, and students are more likely to feel connected, challenged and supported,' she says. Class Creator is used by 179,000 educators across thousands of schools, with 28 million students placed on the platform to date. Dooney says the platform is built around informed decision-making rather than guesswork or gut feel. 'It's about making informed decisions that give every classroom the best possible chance of success,' she adds. Consistent, evidence-based placement decisions compound in value over successive school years.

Featured expert

Amy Dooney: head of operations, Class Creator; leads class placement strategy; commentator on student wellbeing and inclusive education in Australian schools.