Class size increase AIBU?

[ClassSize2022]

I’ve name changed for this.

we are in a school that is three form entry. One of the year groups in Juniors is being increased to four form entry to accommodate children coming from Ukraine and Hong Kong.

our children were all set and ready (had met their new teacher as classes were being changed). I’m not a NIMBY but 4 classes a year seems so high! we’ve been told
it will mean smaller class sizes but we think that’s only initially as the classes will be split up.

however it’s only one year group not the others. It’s inevitable as it seems the school has been told to do it by the LA.

My high school had 8 form per year group and 30 per class. No problems here.

This isn’t a problem. It won’t affect your childrens education at all and they will probably love having children from Ukraine in their school as it will be new and exciting.

I don’t understand what your issue is with this. DD’s primary school had always been a 4 form entry with approx. 900 kids in total. As long as there is funding for an additional teacher and the school building is sufficient, what’s the problem?

This happened quite regularly in our local primary school because there simply weren't enough primary places available to meet demand in our area. The school had a portakabin which became the extra classroom, and did have to rearrange things a bit when it came to things like lunch breaks, year group trips etc - but it wasn't a big deal. It doesn't happen now because they expanded the school so it has an extra class every year, and again that hasn't had an adverse effect.

I don’t get how the Ukrainian and Hong Konger children affect it at all. But dd school is 4 form entry with 29 or 30 in each class and it’s not a problem at all.

I can't see why this is a problem at all. And I guarantee the kids won't care unless the parents react badly when told which I expect you have done.

And you 100% are being NIMBY and racist

Would it bother you if it was a bulge class of local kids and not children from abroad? I very much doubt it

Ours had 5 classes per year from reception, no issues

I don't understand why you're concerned about this at all. Who cares how many classes per year there are, as long as there are enough classrooms for them all to sit in? The Local Authority will fund another teacher and each class will still have less than 30 kids in it. What exactly is the issue?

Where would you rather the children fleeing war and / or persecution were educated?

We live very rurally and my children attend a very small primary school. We’ve had five Ukrainian children starting in the past few months. They’ve been a complete and utter joy and opened our childrens’ eyes to what is going on outside their rural bubble.

Hong Kong and Ukraine - what a coincidence 🙄 anyone else in a similar ‘predicament’? Nah, didn’t think so.

I get your point OP. 4 forms in a year is very big for a primary.

My kids are at a 1 form entry, I love it. My own experience at a 3 form school as a child was worse, at our school everyone knows everyone better.

We are in a very affluent area and it’s a very good school.

I just think 4 classes is a lot. I’m trying to give the back story as to why. I’m not a racist.

This! I could actually cry at this, so true, my DS is 6 and has ADHD and is just about coping in class currently as he’s been in a tiny class of 21 at his little single class per year school, this has been remarked on by his teacher that it’s such a blessing that his class is so small as it would be a different story for him in a class of 30. 7 new children have joined in the past 7 weeks 😥 it’s completely turned the class upside down, it’s destroyed the ecosystem so to speak. 6 of the 7 don’t speak English more than a word or two, it’s causing chaos and is unworkable according to the (amazing!) TA. It’s should be proportionate adding 7 new kids to a tiny class in a tiny school all at once is madness without the language barrier!

If they have a teacher and a room the 4 classes is fine and I’m not seeing your problem.
my kids go to a 4 form entry primary 🤷‍♀️

Why is four classes a lot? Our local school has a 6 class/year system. As to you don't think the buildings can accommodate it - what's it go to do with you? This is the headteacher/governors problem not yours.

Do you genuinely think there are TWENTY refugees starting who are your child age group? Seems extremely unlikely… it’s probably that they’re JUST over the limit for 3 classes (so 99?) and they’ll split say 105 (or perhaps even less!) children between 4 classes resulting in around 26 per year which is totally reasonable

Then I am sure they will do everything in their power to ensure the students education and wellbeing aren’t affected by the class increase.

Not sure what being affluent has to do with it though?

Well it's a very good school then I'd trust the process. I still don't think you'd be this annoyed by it if it was white British children though

@sparepantsandtoothbrush I was trying to give the background. I am the daughter of immigrants so I’m not a racist.

i am more concerned about it being a very squashed school!

Would it be different if they were English kids OP?

@ClassSize2022 we were always squashed years ago... only thing that happened was we never learned to dance properly as there was no room. 😂

Why has everyone latched onto why the class is being created? My concern is a 4 form entry year. The affect on other kids and how the school will accommodate it.

Thanks to all those saying they had 4 forms or more and that it was ok.

Crikey me OP you are being soooo unreasonable

What possible impact on the kids are you fearing?