Bulge Classes

[academyblues]

In anticipation of the rising numbers of reception children, our LA has consulted with 3 schools in the borough about the prospect of expanding to 3 form entry.

None of the schools wanted it, but I understand that it is ultimately in the hands of the LA, though the decision which/how many schools to expand hasn't been made yet.

A friend of mine in another school has just been informed that her child's school is adding a bulge class from January 2012. The parents haven't been consulted with.

This sounds odd. My only explanation was that maybe the head in her school wanted this to happen and there is immediate space available, but she and other parents are understandably cross that they haven't been consulted with.

Can the LA expand without consulting with parents - however nominally - does anyone know?

Yes, they can. This has happened in our borough too. If the parents all said no what would they do with all the children that needed to be placed?

Very difficult situation all round.

Yes, I agree with the need for additional school places.

My query is why some schools' parents have been consulted with and another has just been told that it's a done deal.

I think it's probably the difference between permanent expansion to (say) 3 form entry and a bulge class, which increases the intake for one year and then the admission number drops again.

There have been a lot of bulge classes in our borough over the last few years - they go wherever a school has a spare classroom or enough space for a mobile classroom to be installed (and enough capacity in the dining room and so on) - but that doesn't mean that the schools can or will expand on a permanent footing. The governors at the schools which take bulge classes will have had some say in the matter, but as StitchingMoss says, the LEA couldn't live with a situation where every school said no, because that would leave children without any school.

Yes, that makes sense. It must be an 'emergency' bulge class, whilst the others are planned.

Well, you'll only know if you ask the LEA for an explanation but that would be my guess.