Advice on number of children in a class.

[Hopeoverexperience]

What do you think the ideal number of children in a class should be? I'm worried that when DD starts Y2 in September,there may only be 10 or 11 children in the class. The class is being split in two to avoid too "large" a class ie 21/22 ?!! Would you be concerned? Thinking social implications and friendships ect... . Thanks.

my DD is in a class of 12 children - although she is in pre-prep currently it will not increase.
it is lovely

( although it is a girls school so i am clearly not on the same page as many people re social implications )

I think that sounds great HOE - am v. . My DS's Y2 class has 25 and he is going up into a class of 35. I would guess the whole year group will get playtime/trips etc together, so she will have those opportunities to socialise

DD has been in that size class since YR, I think it's great. They do music, sport etc. combined but get lots of individual attention for English and maths.

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but we've had no problems (girls' school) and DD mixes with children from both classes.

I think 10 or 11 children in a class when they are yr 2 is fantastic! The social aspect will be fine because they will mix with the other class at playtime and I would imagine they would get together for other things e.g. music. I have just had a part time job with a class of 17 and it was bliss!! I miss it and will probably never get that many again. I can meet the needs of 17 children, I can't meet the needs of 30 or more in the same way. The government insists that size doesn't matter but I firmly believe that it is the most important thing. If I was to pay for private education it would primarily be for a small class size. My middle DS was once in a class of 35.

I would love to have a class of 10 or 11 (I have 30) but IMO 15 is probably the optimum class size for social and learning opportunities.

MY DD is in a class of about 12 and loves it. She is in a small school and the children tend to mix across the years so there is no shortage of kids of play with. The current reception class has just 2 in it! This years intake will have 11 and everyone is going on about what a big class it will be - but the total number in infants will still only be 17. Infants is all together in one big classroom with one teacher and one teaching assistant. I love small schools and small classes.

Hi. My DD is in pre- prep and in a class with 19 cjildren. This is the biggest class in the school and I personally think it's quite a lot of children for an independant school but it is not affecting her learning. There is a teacher and full time teaching assistant. I wouldn't be worried about the social factor!

Class size of 10/11 will be fine. Enough children for playing and making friends; small enough for lots of one to one teacher time too.

DD is currently in a class of 13. (one class intale; small school) Was 15 last year but 3 girls left due to relocating outside the county, and a new girl joined. She loves it and thrives in the smaller classroom environment. Definitely not too small either. And as smaller than average the girls (girl's school) have all made friends together so noone is ever left out at playtime, etc. It has worked incredibly well.

The year below there is currently only 4 in - which is too small. IMO. But the girls in the class do all seem fine. I think as it is a smal friendly school it helps as the PP1 grls all play with the PP2 and PP3 girls anyay, and all mix in together. And PP1 do their ballet class and other drama/sport based work with PP2 or PP3 to make p team sizes, etc. Not sure why last year all the private schools locally suffered with a big drop in nuumbers. Seems to have risen lots for the coming year again fortunately. Have another normal size class, lke DDs, for next year by sounds of it.

Many thanks for all your replies - much appreciated