12 kids per Reception class - is this too few?!

[spookyspoons]

I have enquired at a private boys' prep school in Surrey for reception entry next September. They said that they normally have 3 classes but that due to 'a low birthrate' there will only be 2 classes of 12 in each class!

I know it's great to have a high ratio of teachers to students, but might this be too low?! Could it be too pressured having so much attention on you?! Each class of 12 would have a full time teacher AND classroom assistant! I guess I am also thinking of friendship dynamics - making friends, getting away from kids you don't like etc, in such a close environment.

Any of you in the school system already, with any thoughts, please share!

Thank for great feedback.

The school said they have not got final numbers yet as not all deposits etc are in, so the numbers could well go up (or down!).

There are 480 boys at the school from 4-13, so that's hopefully a good sign of lots of happy boys and their families higher up the school.

It sounds like it should be absolutely fine and I will definitely check when we visit what they would do to combine the classes etc for sport etc. Good point.

Juicy, 'my problem' is that I don't want to get it wrong and find we've made a very expensive mistake and end up needing to unsettle DS and move him if he is not happy in such an intimate environment. DH is on your wavelength, though, saying I am over-analysing yet again!

my friend moved her ds because of small class sizes.
He was having difficulties with the other boys and would've had to spend his primary yrs with the same 12 children.She moved him to state school of 30 kids and he is much happier being able to make friends from a bigger pool of children.

I think that when there are two classes it's great as the teachers can mix it up each year. Also, if it is the social aspect you are concerned about, remember that as it is an all boys school he is likely to have the same number of boys in his class as he would in a mixed class of 30. In the last class I taught I had 7 boys and 23 girls!
Finally, don't be too terrified at the thought of changing schools if you had to - people do it all the time because of work and children are surprisingly adaptable, certainly up to year 3.

12 in a class is great, works well. Not too small. There are 12 girls in the reception year of DD's school with a FT teacher and a PT TA/ It is a lovely class.

There are 14 in DD's Y2 class and it has also been wonderful. DD has benefited hugely IMO from the small class.