overcrowded reception class

[phiamilly]

Does anyone know if this is normal, my daughters reception class has 2 classes in one. Meaning one large room with 62 pupils in, there are 2 qualified teachers but today only 1, and there are normally 2 teaching assistants in there. I know the teaching numbers are correct per head but it is absolute manic in the mornings and afternoons. Does anyone know if this is allowed.

Yes, having the whole Reception year group as a 'unit' rather than in separate classrooms is used in several schools, and is actually often considered to be rather good practice, as it allows more 'free flow' activities around the unit. What is a problem, though, is having 62 children in only two classes. Technically, they need to have three teachers in there, as the limit for Key Stage One classes is thirty pupils.

pinkgirlythoughts - It is likely that the extra children have been admitted as a result of appeals and are therefore "excepted children", which means they don't count towards the class size limit. There are also other reasons these children may be excepted. As long as there are 2 excepted children, they are operating legally with 62 children and 2 teachers.

And being pedantic, Reception is Foundation Stage. KS1 covers Y1 and Y2. However, the class size limit does still apply.

Reception is now part of the foundation stage which is much more about organised play than sitting at desks working. So you can expect more noise etc but there is a difference between total chaos and carefully orchestrated play with a purpose. Given that it is still quite early in the school year i would give it another month to see how things settle down.

I would be with PRH that the numbers are probably OK. I would be much more concerned if there only being 1 teacher in the facility became the norm - that would be very illegal, but not unknown especially where nursery children are also involved.