to be fuming that one of our local oversubscribed schools was half empty when I looked around it this morning?

[thedollyridesout]

When I challenged the Head about the number of empty rooms vs pupil admission number he said that the school number was set at the maximum capacity of the school hall to enable the whole school to meet together.

AIBU in thinking that that is a rubbish reason?

This school has fantastic facilities and I am sure it could easily accommodate more pupils.

TheDolly, where did you get the figure of 31 per class from?

You say the whole school intake was 490, im assuming they have years 7 to 11, 5 in total, divided by 4 forms would make class size about 25 per class.

claw3 - the school is a middle school, not a secondary. Think there are 4 year groups in a middle school.

120 extra pupils is an awful lot of extra children. You really think they can maintain the great facilities and excellent reputation if they suddenly increase numbers by 120?

Hula, Oh right i didnt realise, that explains the 31.

I really couldnt say without researching the school.But what i would say is that practically ever school is over-subscribed and every child has a right to an education.

I would also say 490 divided by 4 years, divided by 4 years would equal 30 per class. It works out at 30.something and you cant have 30 and a bit of child in a class.

forms rather

What you must realise is that some of our year groups are bigger than others, one year might have 28 per form another will have 31/32 it depends on the intake for that year, people moving on and even the birth rate that particular year!

For example the current Year 7 is full at this school, 32 in each form whereas the Year 8 that left in July (now Year 9 at Upper school) had no more than 27 in a form.

'They are at the very bottom end of their legal requirement according to the Head (ie any less and they would be breaking the law)' yet they have 31 per class!

Often the info the school gives you is incorrect, which is why you have to do your research.

Have found the school now. Was a bit confused as the county's admissions state that for 2009-2010 123 people applied for 124 places so not oversubscribed this year although it does say it is sometimes oversubscribed.

Hopefully you will get a place .

The 31 per class is not breaking any law as the 30 per class is for KS1 children ie reception to year 2. Quite a lot of classes in KS2 (and I presume KS3 and KS4) have more children than that.

Is the three tier system likely to stay where you are? Here it is staying at the moment although a neighbouring borough is changing to two tier. I am hoping it gets sorted out before DS and DD get to year 5.

SOR (School Organisation Review) for our area has been postponed again until 2017 so dolly's daughter shouldn't be affected.

Shameless bump to see if thedollyridesout's DD is now at my school!