Class size

[Chateaukirwan1972]

My son has been in the same village primary school for the last 5 years. He is in his final year at primary school but the class size has suddenly grown massively this year.

He generally enjoyed school, but this year, the school has rolled years 5 and 6 together with a combined size of 44. This happened the previous year but there was only six year 6’s so the class size remained manageable.

I have noticed him becoming gradually more anxious about going to school and lose confidence in his learning ability. Apparently, he was told by his teacher that if he doesn’t improve his joined up writing that he will fail his SAT’s, which has furthered his anxiety.

I've asked for a phone call with his teacher, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Can you move him? This seems like madness!!

How many teachers/TAs are in the class of 44?

Can you afford private school for a year?

44 kids in one class would basically be crowd control in my opinion. It's not something I would accept and seems bonkers. Surely they only combine classes when numbers are very low in each?

That’s how it worked last year, 24 year 5’s and 6 year 6’s. This year it’s twenty year 5’s and 24 year 6’s.

My son woke up at 4 yesterday and 3 today, he is so anxious about school now. Apparently his teaching said if he doesn’t improve his joined up writing he will fail his stats.

I asked to speak to his teacher or the head that takes some of his classes this morning but nobody has been in touch.

There is one teacher and one/two teaching assistants. We could try and switch school but until this year the quality of education was good. I’d love to be able to send him to private school but that is not possible at the moment.

Unfortunately, it all feels like the school has lost its way. On returning after the summer break, we were informed that the breakfast club and after school club is to close at the end of this term.

it’s such a shame as it really was a good school.

Are all 44 in together all of the time or are some withdrawn into smaller groups for Maths and English. I’d ask about this.

Does he have any fine manipulative difficulties? Cursive script is notoriously difficult for those who do. I’ve often advised that a child should be allowed to use print or a laptop and that the requirement to write by hand is reduced ( in some cases unless that is the purpose of the lesson)

44 with just one teacher seems utter madness. At my primary we've generally got a teacher and at least one TA for each class. I can’t see how you can possibly get the best out of anyone with that level of staffing to child ratio.