Very small class size

[educatty]

Hi, what are the pros and cons for a private school with year group of fewer than 5 children?

I'd assume everyone had pulled their child out because it's a crap school.

@Imsittinginthekitchensink

I'd assume everyone had pulled their child out because it's a crap school.

Honestly this would be my first thought too.

Unless the school is on a remote island with very few families living in it which is why the class is so small I wouldn't go near it if you paid me to.

5 children in a private school also just screams it not being viable in terms of the school remaining open.

As above.
I would think it’s shutting down soon and not enough children to choose to be friends with.

I’m guessing they aren’t advertising such small classes as a positive? For some SEN children that would be great and really suit them, but I’m guessing this school is not.
What are the other class sizes like? Is this a blip or does the whole school have low numbers? I’d worry the other children have left and the school is struggling to recruit for whatever reason. I’d be really concerned that it wouldn’t be viable long term and it would end up closing.

I guess private school might be different but I went to primary school in a very rural area and there were only 12 children in the whole of ks2! It was a successful school, we all did well and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. My only criticism was that there wasn't much in the way of after school clubs, but I'd happily send my children to a very small school.

I’d only be thinking that the school isn’t financially viable and will be closing soon. Unless you’re going to update to say it’s a community school or something, somewhere very very remote.

No way. Far too claustrophobic.

My mum used to be head of the prep part of a private school. She always said it took 13 kids in a class to pay for the teacher and fewer than 18 was uneconomic. 5 kids is absolutely not sustainable unless it’s run on some kind of volunteer cooperative basis.

I'd think the school was about to close and / or absolutely shit.

Thanks for the comments so far. Year groups would be combined to increase class size. Nope, not a rural school.

@educatty

Thanks for the comments so far. Year groups would be combined to increase class size. Nope, not a rural school.

I honestly wouldn't send your child to this school, let alone pay to do so.

Even if they combine year groups it appears that the class sizes wont be viable to keep the school open for much longer.

5 children in a private school also just screams it not being viable in terms of the school remaining open.

Totally this - is it financially going to survive?

I did with dd awful

Combined class of 8 years 1/2

Old traditional boarding school managed to pull her out before it closed.

It had over 600 pupils in its heyday

When it closed less than 200 throughout whole school.

'Totally this - is it financially going to survive?'

No it won't, if it's single sex they will try Co Ed probably like ours did and combining years and then will just close.

I know a child who ended up as the only child in his year. That was okay when he was a year 5 in with the year 6s, but there weren't many year 4s (and falling numbers as they could see what was coming), so he was heading for being the only year 6 in a mixed year 4/5 class. His parents moved him.

I think some schools do manage to work with very small year groups and mixed-age classes, but there's always that risk of ending up with a "hole" that begins to make things unworkable, and of course once that happens, more families go, and the whole financial viability is put in jeopardy.

I’d be concerned and would look at the numbers in the whole school. There’s a girls private school near us with 15-20 per class, two classes per year; but reception has 8-10 per class. No idea why!

Personally I’d want DC in a bigger class to give more friendship opportunities, unless you live very rurally and there’s no choice.

I would think it was a bit like a sale rail of last years stock that didn't sell. Clearly not a very thriving business?

I agree that such small class sizes can be the sign that a school is about to close.

The only alternative positive explanations I can think of are
(i) special provision as suggested above, in which case fees will be high (ii) it’s a new school which is building up its numbers or
(iii) staff are significantly underpaid or not traditionally qualified.

I once worked in a small private school, primarily located in the owner/ head teacher’s very large house. It had small class sizes, but not quite as small as that. They didn’t pay standard teacher rates, but that didn’t matter to me at the time for several reasons. The school has since expanded into three locations (infant, junior and secondary) and is still a going concern over 30 years later.

NewYearSoon - sounds exactly like a school my mum taught at in 1981. 7/8 per class and now “very successful”.

My eldest is one of two in his year. 😂

Well this is quite conclusive! @edge, how is your child getting on with such a small year group? The friendship thing is a concern for me (as well as the long term viability of the school)

It’s less of a “year group” thing tbh. He’s friends with all year groups and the bonds are really tight. In fact, if anything it strikes me as odd that kids can only be friends with others in their year.

As the oldest in the school he gets a lot of responsibility- there’s no hiding at the back when it comes to the school play - EVERYONE gets a lead part!

I should add, a major positive is that they become really confident talking to adults and advocating for themselves - because like I say, no hiding.

Huge scope for academic progress too.