Was 1998-99 (ie now in Y4, in England) an exceptionally low birth year? (People hanging out for 2000).

[miljee]

Can't find any statistics but am interested as to whether this will increase DS1's chances of an out-of-catchment secondary I'm eyeing up! We're in Hants.

Mmm dunno but Yr4 in our school has a tiny class (about 18) in comparison to the the others.

Must be some birth rate stats out there somewhere.

Try page 30

Don't know but there seems to be a low birth rate for 2003/2004. There are lots of vacancies in ds' nursery school - and lots of girls (there's usually a waiting list)

1999 slightly lower than previous years.

Page 29 Definitely a fall on previous years.

That's the year above my dd. From what I saw, there was a wholesale clearout from the nursery in the Autumn of 2003 - there was only one little boy left in the morning session from the previous intakes (I was a bit surprised to be offered a place for dd at 3 years and a bit months)! Perhaps it depends on the area you live in

Blimey, it's interesting to see the birth rate dropping away, according to the official statistics! And many thanks, Saggar for the links! I'm hoping we don't have to move to increase DSs chances of getting into the school in question. I won't be doing anything about til towards the end of yr 5 when choices have to be considered (though I'm aware that moving, even via rental is a time consuming business!) and I'm also aware of the possibility, such has happened at the DSs' existing schools of the school reducing the intake by a complete class once the roll has dropped beneath a critical number!

dd's school year is fairly light too - Sept 2000 to August 2001 - whereas the following year is more heavily subscribed

Not here! For some reason in Richmond 1998 was a very prolific year - hence if ou ever go inot the local woolworths for a birthday card of that vintage, or cloths/shoes that size - that is always the size that is sold out

Must have been a long power cut in Richmond in 1997 then .

My DD is in YR4 and both classes are full (30)

My Ds is in Y4, and all three Y4 classes in his school are full (30 per class) and there is a waiting list!

My dd is in Y4 and she only has a small class I think 18 or 19 in it. It is a state school.

Actually in our tiny village school, yr 3 (1999-2000) is the smallest, there is only 10 in the year!

My daughter's a year 4 and her class has always been one of the fuller classes.

ds1, only has 23 pupils in his class, the smallest i the school.

too many commas in that sentence, sorry!

DS1 was born in 1999, but in the September, so his class will be a mix of children born in 99 & 2000. Both year 3 classes are full with 30 children in each, but don't think the year 4 classes are any smaller.

The birth rate in our area has dropped since then, as we now average around 25 in our reception classes.