Overcoming the challenges of an oversized classroom

Navigating an oversized classroom isn’t easy. With so many needs, personalities, and learning styles packed into one space, it’s no wonder that larger classes often leave teachers stretched thin. 

From limited one-on-one time to behaviour management hurdles, oversized classrooms present a unique challenge—but they also open the door for smarter, more strategic teaching.

According to the OECD’s Education at a Glance 2024, Australian secondary class sizes are still above the average seen in many comparable countries. And while a few extra students might not seem like much on paper, in practice, they can make a big difference—impacting how teachers plan, deliver, and personalise their lessons.

In this guide, we’ll explore:

• Why oversized classrooms create real challenges for teachers
• 4 practical strategies to engage and support students in larger classes
• How Atomi helps teachers manage big classes more effectively

The problem with oversized classrooms

Teaching is already a juggling act. But when your class size creeps past 25 students, it can start to feel like a full-on circus. More learners in the room mean more variation in ability, more distractions and more pressure on the teacher to meet individual needs, often with the same amount of time and energy.

The challenges aren’t just about space or noise levels. Oversized classrooms can quietly erode the foundations of effective teaching: connection, engagement, and control.

Challenge 1. Less one-on-one connection

Building strong relationships with students is key to engagement and learning. But with a full class list, giving each student meaningful attention becomes incredibly difficult. Even brief check-ins or personalised feedback can feel like luxuries when time is tight.

Challenge 2. Risk of students falling behind

In a large classroom, it’s easier for struggling students to go unnoticed. Many won’t raise their hand or speak up, especially if they’re unsure or shy. Without timely intervention, small gaps in understanding can quickly turn into long-term learning issues.

Challenge 3. Behaviour management becomes tougher

Larger classes are harder to keep on track. Research has long shown that as student numbers rise, so do the chances of disruption. More noise, more peer distractions, and more time spent managing behaviour means less time for actual teaching.

These aren’t minor obstacles—they’re the kinds of daily pressures that, left unchecked, can affect student outcomes and teacher well-being. But with the right support, structure, and strategy, it’s possible to create calm, focused learning environments even in the busiest rooms.

4 practical strategies for success in a crowded classroom

Large class sizes might be the reality, but they don’t have to be a roadblock to effective teaching. With the right strategies, you can create a structured, supportive environment that keeps students engaged without exhausting yourself in the process.

Here are four effective ways to manage bigger groups without compromising on connection or quality of instruction. 

Tip 1. Foster relationships in creative ways

Strong student-teacher relationships are the foundation of any positive classroom culture. But in oversized classrooms, it’s easy for some students to feel invisible. Finding ways to make individual connections—even small ones—can go a long way.

Try:

• Rotational small-group time: Break the class into smaller groups and rotate between them during independent work time. Even five focused minutes can help students feel seen.
• Micro-interactions: Aim for one meaningful check-in per student each week—even if it’s just a comment on their progress or a quick word of encouragement.
• Quick student surveys: Anonymous forms or pulse checks can uncover where students are struggling, what they enjoy, and how they prefer to learn.

At Atomi, we believe that while technology has changed the way we educate in schools, the most effective bridge between teaching and learning will always be engagement.

— Darcy Campbell, Curriculum Lead at Atomi

Tip 2. Keep every student afloat

In big classes, the learning gap can widen quickly. Some students power ahead while others fall behind. Without smart grouping and differentiated tasks, it’s easy to lose track of who needs what.

Try:

• Flexible grouping: Adjust groups based on skill level or task complexity. Students who need more time can build confidence, while advanced learners get a challenge.
• Think–pair–share: Peer collaboration helps students learn from each other while you check in with individuals. It’s a great way to support engagement without having to lead the entire room at once.
• Assign differentiated revision tasks: Offer students a variety of tasks based on the same text or topic. With Atomi, it’s easy to assign tailored revision material (either in class or as homework) to support students who are struggling and allow more able students to progress to more challenging content. 

If students aren’t engaged—if the work is either too challenging or boring—then classroom management will become an issue.
— Otis Kriegel, educator and artist

Tip 3. Provide structure that supports every level

The more students you have, the more important it is to design lessons that keep everyone on the same page. Large classes thrive on clear structure, manageable pacing, and regular check-ins.

Try:

• Chunking your lessons: Break content into short, focused sections (around 5–10 minutes), each followed by a quick reflection or comprehension task.
• Using checkpoints: Short quizzes or “exit tickets” after each segment help students self-assess and give you a clearer picture of who’s keeping up.
• Encouraging peer teaching: Group tasks or paired work not only reinforce understanding but also turn your large class into a collaborative learning environment.

Students may have ‘TikTok brains,’ but that doesn’t mean we dilute the content—it just means we present it step by step to keep them engaged.

— Sarah-Eleni Zaferis, Teacher & School Enablement Leader at Atomi

Tip 4. Lead with consistency and clarity

With more students comes more potential for disruption. The key is to lead with clarity, consistency, and strong routines—so expectations are understood from day one.

Clear routines don’t just help teachers, they help students too. When learners know what to expect, it creates a sense of safety and predictability. It’s easier for them to settle, focus, and stay on task, especially in a busy or high-energy environment.

Try:

• Set clear rules early: Keep them simple, fair, and non-negotiable. Reinforce them consistently so students know where the boundaries are.
• Establish predictable routines: A structured start-of-class task, a clear transition plan between activities and a consistent lesson wrap-up can all reduce noise and keep things on track.
• Celebrate small wins: Whether it’s finishing a task on time or supporting a peer, small acknowledgements help reinforce the classroom culture you’re building.

How Atomi supports teachers of large classes

Large classes demand more than just careful planning — they call for tools that make differentiation, feedback, and engagement easier to manage at scale. That’s where Atomi comes in.

Our platform is designed to support teachers in high-pressure environments, making it easier to deliver quality instruction, personalise learning, and keep students on track—all without stretching yourself too thin.

Short, sharp lessons that hold attention

Atomi lessons are purpose-built for focus. Each one targets a specific concept or skill and runs between five and 10 minutes, making it easy to slot into busy timetables or larger lesson plans.

This microlearning format helps students stay engaged while giving teachers the flexibility to pause, discuss, or go deeper where needed.

“Short, interactive segments help us hit that sweet spot between challenging students and keeping them engaged,” explains Darcy Campbell.

Interactive checkpoints and real-time feedback

Every lesson is paired with interactive quizzes and questions so students can test their understanding as they go. This helps learners reflect on what they’ve just learnt—without needing to raise their hand in a crowded classroom.

Better still, responses are auto-marked and insights are captured in real-time. That means less time spent grading and more time spent supporting the students who need it the most.

Flexible pacing to suit every learner

With Atomi, students can move at a pace that matches their ability. Those who need extra support can revisit earlier videos or complete revision quizzes. Confident learners can dive into extension tasks or push ahead with new content.

You can also use the insights dashboard to track progress, spot learning gaps, and adjust your instruction accordingly—without needing to individually monitor 25+ students at once.

Consistency across every subject and year level

Each Atomi lesson follows the same structure: an introduction, clear teaching moments, worked examples, a quick checkpoint, and a conclusion. That familiarity makes it easier for students to settle into a rhythm and focus on learning, not on navigating new formats.

This consistency is especially helpful in large classrooms where maintaining structure can make or break a lesson.

Supporting every learner, even in a full classroom

Large classes will always come with challenges, but they don’t have to come at the cost of meaningful learning. With the right strategies in place like flexible grouping, relationship-building, structured chunking and strong routines, it’s possible to keep every student engaged, supported and progressing at their own pace.

Atomi helps make this easier. From short, focused video lessons to interactive checkpoints and real-time progress data, our platform gives teachers the tools to deliver high-impact teaching strategies (HITS) in even the most crowded classrooms.

You don’t need to overhaul your entire approach. But with the right scaffolding and support, you can shift the balance back towards teaching—and give every student the opportunity to thrive.

Start your free trial with Atomi today and explore how structured lessons, clear learning pathways, and built-in feedback can help lighten the load so you can focus on what really matters: helping your students grow.

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