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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Would you be happy about your child being in a class of only 5 pupils?

44 replies

electra · 04/04/2011 16:53

When she started in reception she was one of 17 which I thought was ideal.

Kids have just left and left and left and now she is one of only five. All her best friends have gone and although she gets on well with the remaining kids, I don't think she sees them as close friends.

Obviously being one of only five she gets lots of attention but I feel friendships are really important and I'm thinking of moving her to a bigger school where she there will be more diversity and also clubs etc for her to go to and expand her horizons.

I'm worried it'll be a bit of a culture shock though to go from 5 to say 30.

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AimingForSerenity · 04/04/2011 22:11

When we were moving areas the head at a previous school told us that in his opinion a class of less than 15 was not ideal for social reasons. He suggested we look for class sizes of 17-25 as being the ideal

coolascucumber · 04/04/2011 22:11

There were 32 in my primary school, 4 in my year including me. It never felt like a small school, it just felt normal. I thrived and happily went off to secondary school.

exoticfruits · 04/04/2011 22:18

I would move her-I would be asking a lot of questions about exactly why numbers are declining.

Jajas · 04/04/2011 22:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RobynLou · 04/04/2011 22:54

I wouldn't be worried about having a small class - I went to a primary school which had under 50 children in from reception-year 6, but I would be very worried about the reasons for dwindling numbers.

if there's a state school you'd be at least as happy with, if not happier then why on earth keep paying for substandard private?!

Annelongditton · 04/04/2011 23:23

Our Prep head gave same advice as AimingforSerenity, you need at least 15 in a class from year 3 upwards.

Madsometimes · 05/04/2011 09:47

I would be concerned about the financial stability of the school, rather than the tiny classes.

seeker · 05/04/2011 10:09

Why on earth is your child still at this place?

OliPolly · 05/04/2011 11:39

Even at prep, 5 is too small

4yo DD is in a class of 13 and it's perfect for her personality
7yo DS is in a class of 17 which is perfect but he would be ok anywhere

BirdyArms · 05/04/2011 11:51

I went to a teeny tiny primary school, it went from reception to year 4, all in one class. I started with 8 children in my year group and by the time I left I was the only one. The hardest was when I started and there were 4 girls, 2 were very best friends, one was a bit odd and I felt left out, but overall it was fine. When I was the only one in year 4 I was best friends with the only girl in year 3 and really enjoyed it. Then at age 9 moved to a school with a class of 30 and had no problems transitioning.

Such a small class isn't something I'd seek out for my own children but I think I'd leave her there unless she's unhappy. It worked out fine for me.

Littlefish · 05/04/2011 14:06

I agree that the financial stability of the school should be a real concern. I can't see how they can possibly continue long term.

5 is much too small in a class.

The school sounds like it is winding down.

I would suggest moving your child now, before the school announces its closure and everyone is racing around trying to get school places.

new2cm · 05/04/2011 14:15

A private school with only 5 children in a class....I think I know why the other parents have jumped ship. The private sector schools tend to aim for a minimum of 8 children per class.

I would keep my child at the school but start at looking at other options because 5 children in a class in not financially viable either in the private or state sector.

Original poster

electra · 05/04/2011 15:01

Thanks all. Seeker she's still there because I've been scared to move her. She's been through a lot with her father and I splitting up and me being ill and in hospital at times. However, I can see that obviously things aren't looking good at all either for the future of the school or her future there. There were rumours about closure and then a new head took over and she's trying to revamp the school's image. Some new children have signed up but not in my dd's year! It is a lovely school for its pastoral approach and she has blossomed into a responsible, caring and articulate child and I do feel the school has played a role in this.

OP posts:

Littlefish · 05/04/2011 17:13

Please bear in mind my warning that if you wait until the school announces its closure, then everyone will be looking for school places at the same time. If you want to have any kind of choice over where your child goes to school, I strongly advise you to visit other schools and be ready to move your child if you find a school you like, with a space in the correct year.

Skinit · 05/04/2011 17:21

electra........it sounds similar to my DDs school. We had rumours of closure then a new head...the new head has gone all out on recruitment and new kids arrive all the time now and we are slowly growing. The only difference is that my DDs clas doesn't feel sad or empty....bt I sppose 11 kids is different than 5.

Original poster

electra · 05/04/2011 19:27

Yes I was always happy until the numbers went below ten. It seemed that every half term yet another child leaves

Skinit - it's not the same school is it?

OP posts:

evolucy7 · 05/04/2011 21:44

My children go to a small private school. DD1 is in Reception, she is in a mixed R/Y1 class of 11. The Nursery section where DD2 is will have 8 children after Easter. I have no problem with this. All classes through the school are mixed year. I went to the same school and was very happy there, and my daughters are very happy, they are friends with children of all ages.
When I talk to other parents, it does seem that there can be a knock on effect once one person leaves. OP from when your DD started, 3 years ago(?) do you think that many people may have had to rethink private education, rather than an issue with the school?
Does your DD's class mix with other classes for some things, my DDs 2 classes do this for PE for example.
Personally I would be reluctant to move if it was my children and they were happy, even if the school was to close, if there are only 5 children in her year then it would hardly be a mad rush to get a place at another school as there would not be a large number of children needing places.

Skinit · 06/04/2011 00:50

Lol electra I thought that! Except we do have a class 1....quite big too! (well 14!)

evolucy is right about the knock on effect...we had 2 girls leave after reception and they were followed by 3 more!

I just think if it aint broke don't fix it...you could express your worries to the HT and she might set your mind at rest.

evolucy7 · 06/04/2011 12:06

Yes a girl in my eldest's class left to start at a state school for Reception in September, she is an only child, and her Mum was concerned about the numbers, quite a few left after Nursery, but I think that happens anyway. However, she came back in January as having experienced obviously just 1 state primary, she felt the numbers were too large and decided a bit smaller than ideal was better.

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