Small Primary (125) losing a class

[parentgov]

I am a parent governor at a small primary. For the last 3 years, at the top end of the school we have lost large cohorts of 24-26 and are only intaking 12-16 in a new cohort. (No reason for this other than fewer children of this age in the village, school is good, and we actually gain a few in numbers each year from other children travelling to our village to attend our school)

So we have sustained a 5 class structure for a few years, with falling school numbers (now 125 pupils total). However this Sept we will sadly need to lose a clas/teacher. We have a temp teacher on a one year contract, so no redundancies thank goodness.

We already have mixed classes (of up to two year groups) to make 5 classes for seven year groups, so parents are used to that aspect.

Rerstructuring to four classes, may mean that some classes include up to three year groups and class sizes of 34 in KS2. (e.g. Y5x6, Y4x22, Y3x6)

We have our hands tied as the budget will just not stretch to 5 teachers, and we obviously need to communicate this fact, and the changes sensitively to parents. Hence my post here - to gain a broad section of parental/teacher opinion, so I can try to make sure we address these in our communications:

PARENTS:

• How interested do you think the majority of parents will be in the changes? (obviously we are all on sites like this because we ARE all interested parents/professionals)
  
• What would your main concerns/q's be (if any?)
  
• What benefits would you identify (if any?)
  
• How would you hope your school would communicate these changes to you?
  

TEACHERS:
Your main concerns?

Many thanks.

[JWIM]

Parents will be concerned about the consequences for their child

• so big classes - can you offer some additional in class support within budget;
  
• mixed classes - can you remind parents this is the norm for your school;
  
• loss of 'sole' year class - can you demonstrate teacher has skills to teach new mixed year group class;
  
• KS classes - if you have mixed KS1/2 class explain that curriculum crosses Key Stages and is not just taught in KS 1 or KS 2.
  
  Parents (particularly prospective parents) will want to know that the school will be viable/financially secure going forward.
  
  Offer a variety of information/briefing oprtions - in writing, presentation and Q&A sessions (probably one in school time and let preschool children come - poss creche and one evening for working parents).
  
  Review (staff, parents, children, governors) how change is going once implemented and report to parents - make adjustments if necessary.
  
  Change is unsettling for everyone.
  
  Staff may have more contact with anxious/questionning parents - has the change had an adverse consequence for my child.

[Goblinchild]

Look at networking with other small schools in your area, round here some of the very small schools share planning, teaching expertise and resources.

[emptyshell]

Main concern I'd have would be that if you've been planning on a 2 year cycle covering topics for a double-year class... it's all going to get thrown off a bit swapping through to a triple-year class and require some jiggling about a bit (been through that can o' worms). Three year groups in a class isn't that much of a problem if the long-term planning is in place with regards topics etc - I've done four year groups in a class at one point! (Tiny independent school - experiencing the reverse you're having with us losing the top end of the age range as the senior schools expanded downwards in the age spectrum)