to think that our Head shouldn't be such a money grabber

[pickupthismess]

Am - we already had a really full class for our intake this year and quite a lot of extra kids from (well) outside of our catchment applied and were rejected due to numbers. They didn't get in but our Head has lobbied the LEA and managed to squeeze them in because he wants the money. Meaning our DCs are in a well over-subscribed class. Would love to appeal but don't suppose I can.

but the money goes towards extra staff

is the class over 30 now?

and catchments don't really exist in 2010

Hana,

Catchments do exist, it depends where you are.

We definitely have a catchment and people move into it to get into the school so it's already packed to bursting. I don't think we'll get extra staff because they have a history of jiggling figures.

well they must need the money for something - its not going into the heads pocket???

what year are your children in? 30 max for EY and KS1 and then the limit is lifted in KS2.

Do you know that the head lobbied the LEA? If all the schools locally are full he may well have had to take them (especially if you have classroom space). It's unlikely that the LA would agree if there are empty spaces in other schools.

No definitely lobbied on parent's behalf. As soon as he heard they hadn't got in, marched across the playground saying "I'll see about that". Two days later - they're in. Money is fill coffers that have been depleted by a couple of smaller years and too many teachers. Now there won't be enough if you ask me!

Are you familiar with the ins and outs of their budget projections?

There will be reasons other than that. I struggle to imagine a teacher that would compromise his school's performance (which is what you are suggesting will happen) for a monetary gain of...pretty much nothing. The additional resources needed will eat any funds, if each school made a profit on every pupil (which is what you are suggesting again...) then every school in the country would be rolling in it. This is certainly not the case!

Most heads are actively the other way to be honest. I think you, or whoever told you this, is being a little sensationalist. At the point that we are all education management specialists (basically navigating paperwork and red tape) we will be in a position to judge.

Oh, and the head at the very large school I work at has very little say/control/in-depth interest in every pupil that applies. The LA determines these things, and were a head to 'lobby' for more pupils it is unlikely a decision will be reversed. Unless for reasons you are not stating (individual circumstances of families).

Is this for infant classes? If so and you are in England then there are rules regarding class teacher ratios, so if over 30 the school will need to have an additional teacher.

Sorry MrsC but I'm not being at all sensationalist and as someone v involved in school, I know what's going on with budgets - don't want to say more in case give myself away . Moreover, the Head is very open about it as are Governors (who for the most part are at loggerheads with said Head).

Unfortunately, our Head is v poor, in last few years before retirement and known to be v bloody minded. He absolutely did lobby on behalf of the extra kids and the decisions were reversed within days (I know the parents). It is Infants by the way.