DS's school for September is very small...do you think it will be a problem socially?

[collision]

When I say small, there might be literally only 6 in the class! Educationally I know this will be great for him but what about socially?

The Ofsted report was excellent and it is across the road from us but does anyone have any experience of small classes and what did you think of them?

I am not considering putting him in another school as it is so convenient and the results are excellent....just wondering what you think really.

TIA

Wow only 6 kids in a class. Bet it will be lovely. I often wish my kids classes were smaller.

Could you do extra curricular activities with your DS such as Beavers etc if you are worried about him socially? Personally I think he'll probably be fine, but if it is an issue then extra curricular things will "cover" him.

HTH

Stylish

Dd1 and dd2 were in a 8 child school until last year (and are now in a 15 child school - still one class). Educationally fantastic for them, socially does't cause any problems (in fact it is great for dd1 who is extremely shy).

He will have to learn to get on with and play with a very small group of people - ie you can't really pick and choose your friends! - but to me this is good grounding for life when you have to find things in common with whoever you get landed with in work situations etc.

I presume the class is part of a larger school? In which case they may join together for PE lessons etc., which was our only sticking problem in our old school (playing team games was a challenge).

my ds is in a calss of 10 and I thank god for it daily!

And he has no social probelms.....they all go out to play in the yard

My dd is in a two-class school of 27 children which is fabulous! Socially, it seems to benefit the children who learn to interact with others of varying ages, not just a single year group. It're more like a big family than school. When you've seen an 11yo lad rushing to rescue and comfort a 5yo (my dd!) who's fallen over and cut her knees, you know there's something special going on.

The effect is obvious at secondary school, too, where the children from smaller schools settle in more easily, have more confidence and have a variety of friends across the age range. As a bonus, they also do better in their exams at age 16/17.

Thanks everyone.

I am not worried just interested really. There is no choice for him and we can see (but not hear!) the school from our house so DH will be able to run him to school at 8.59am every day!!

We are very lucky really and there are lots of groups he can do after school and DH is going to start a cooking club with them as well.

All the years are there...it is just v small and the older children answer the phone when the secretary has gone home at lunchtime so they are given lots of responsibility as well.

my ds's school has two reception classes - his has 7 children, the other has 9.
It is great. They are a really nice cohesive bunch and he loves it. Can't think of a single thing wrong with it.

Much nicer for a 4/5 yr old than a class of 25 or whatever.

Wow 6 children, great.

I'd love that for my ds1 - he's swallowed up in a class of 34, and - as a very shy child - found it very hard, particularly in Reception/Year 1. I think it sounds fantastic, collision - honestly, I'm quite

You are very, very lucky!

Then I shall not give it another thought!

thank you ladies!!

Sounds fanatstic, particularly the leaving the house at 8.59 .

You'll still manage to be late though. We live about 2 minutes' walk from school but still contrive to be running down the road most mornings (can hear the school bell!)