How is bulge classes where abouts decided?

[Frikadellen]

In our area they have a shortage of school places for the year R beginning in September 2012 (examples the 3 closest local schools have 90 applications for 50 spaces 47 for 15 and 64 for 30) the school my younger are in is the one that usually takes 15 spaces. Now I expect they will ask the 50 space school to take on an extra 10 going back to the 60 (they only stopped doing this 2 years ago) but this still leaves a huge amount of children without a school, I realise a bulge class will be needed.

The primary my children are in have over the last 2years had some extensive buildings done and now have 3 buildings (before 2) 2 with 2 class rooms in each. What before was a class room is now a extra room used for additional support computer/it etc I am wondering how likely it is that they will ask the school to provide the bulge class considering this class room was used for children up to September 2011. If this is the case would they want a R class of 30 children? Would there be any consideration to how this would reflect on the rest of the school (as usually 15 intake it is joint classes) and also how it would affect upcoming years as if they suddenly have 45 students for one year and then go back to 15 I can see a issue with siblings. It is a Cof E school with faith classed 3rd in the rank (after in care and siblings) will this have any bearing.

I realise they obviously have to find spaces someplace and as my own are in year 5 and 3 I also know that it will have very little bearing on their education so I am really mostly asking because it is a subject that rather facinates me.. What is peoples experiences are they likely to ask or will they ask the much larger primary in town to take a year of 90 intake? the other 2 schools I know has not got the space to take on another class.

Just because schools have had lots of applicants doesn't mean a bulge class is necessary. They may be able to place all those kids in other schools. They don't have to place kids in close schools.

However if they do need a bulge class they do it on what will be cheapest. So if there's a spare classroom somewhere they'll chose that over paying for a porta-cabin.

They certainly don't do it by consulting the school or taking any of their wishes / problems into account.

I think it depends on LEA though. When I spoke to the head of the school ours are going to, I'm sure she said they had been asked to take an extra 19 a she said the max they would accept would be 21 for this intake only, the rest of the school would remain 60 year on year. She said that there was enough room in the existing hall etc. the new buildings were going in anyway before the extras were added and were replacing portakabins and unused land so we haven't lost playing fields.

I live in the country side there is only 1 other school within a 5 miles radius (this is a 15 a year intake school) when I say the other 2 do not have the space I mean there genuinely is no rooms they could use, so a porta cabin would be needed. I would have thought that logically this would be avoided if there are 2 schools with the possible room space.

Like I said for me personally it will not have a huge effect I am really interested from a more over view part as it interests me how this is done. In one article about it a council member is quoted saying they are building other schools in a large town that is 30 mins drive from us so "this should help" I cant say I 100% agree as I think that is far to go with a reception child for a state school, and it certainly doesn't help for this current year.

On the figures you have given for your local schools I don't think there is a problem. Remember that everyone can name three preferences. Therefore if you have 3 schools each with 30 places and there are 90 applicants, each of the schools will have 90 applications for 30 places but there will be no need for any bulge classes as everyone will get a place. Of your three schools only the one with a PAN of 15 has more than 3 applicants for every place. I think there is a good chance the other two schools will not be full.

If additional places are needed the LA will talk to the schools and figure out which is best able to handle additional children.

thank You Prh from what I have been able to gather all the schools in the area (and one in a different county but about 6 miles away) are all over subscribed this is why I find it interesting. I guess only time will tell. the school with the pan of 15 is the school my children attend.. Interestingly it was just ofsted and got a solid 3 so apparently some people are concerned.. I felt the school report was a good one that gave a lot of pointers for them to improve and suspect they will do so. Not everyone will view it that way I am learning so some will end in the private system..