In year KS1 admissions again

[Purplefi]

I posted a query before, and got some very helpful advice www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/1136204-In-Year-KS1-admissions-appeal-advice-please but things have now changed, and would like to know where this leaves me now?

Briefly the background is DS in Year 2 at school, DD in Year 1 at a different school, on waiting list to go to DS school for over 18 months. DS school has 15 pupils in each year, Reception/year 1 in one class so total 30, Year 2 separate class with one teacher to 15. I was advised to appeal for Year 2 as KS1 class size ruling doesn't apply as 1 to 15 ratio.

Now the new changes, since after Easter hols, 2 pupils from the mixed R/Year1 class have joined year 2. This obviously makes the Year 2 class bigger, I'm thinking that helps my appeal case as they can obviously take more children in that class. Interestingly it also leaves the Year R/1 class with 28 pupils now. So thinking I could appeal now instead of waiting as the class size is now below 30? or could they just admit her without an appeal? I've made an appt with the head teacher for next week, and will be in touch with LEA but was just after a bit of advice from people who know in the meantime.

Hi, thanks for the reply.

There are only 15 pupils in Year 2, so the class doesn't exceed 30, that's why I was advised I could try an appeal for Year 2.

The 2 children joining to Year 2 class are apparently permanent until the end of this school year and then they will rejoin their class who will join them in Year 2, So in effect they haven't moved year just class, I think?, I'm hoping it will be clarified more by the headteacher.

I was thinking the same as you mentioned in your other paragraphs, trying to see if what they have done will actually help me in any way trying to get DD in. Although I'm a little concerned now why children have been moved out of year group and cant be catered for in their own classroom?

Y1 is already full to PAN so they shouldn't admit your daughter without an appeal. What matters in admission terms is the PAN for the year, NOT the number of children in the class. The fact that they have placed two Y1 children in the Y2 class does not create any places in Y1. That would only happen if they have moved the children concerned fully into Y2 so that they will be in Y3 in September.

As you were advised previously, with a single class of 15 children in Y2 any appeal next year would definitely not be an infant class size case.

If they have put 2 Y1 children into the Y2 class on a permanent basis for all subjects it would be difficult for them to argue that an appeal for Y1 would be an infant class size case. The school may revert to their normal organisation in September but by then your daugher would be in Y2 which is well below the infant class size limit. Admitting your daughter would not cause them to go over 30 in the combined R/Y1 class. Taking the children currently in the Y2 class back into the R/Y1 class would but, unless there are definite plans for that to happen, that should be irrelevant. Infant class size prejudice arises if admitting your daughter WILL cause a class to go over 30, not if it might under some circumstances. Having said that, I wouldn't put it past them to try suggesting it is an infant class size case.

Provided you haven't already appealed in this academic year you can appeal. Even if you have you could argue that the change in class arrangement means the situation has changed, entitling you to a further appeal.

Thank you so much for the reply, and the clarification about PAN and class numbers, and the information about appeal. It is very helpful.