Am I mad to be considering this?

[nappyaddict]

Sending DS to a school just over 5 miles away (about 10/15 minutes drive but he would have to get a coach unless I manage to learn to drive within the next 12 or so months) purely because they have much smaller class sizes and all the local schools are very oversubscribed so always have the full 30 in a class.

Sounds like a good plan nappy. Given what you've said about your ds, I think part time to start with would be very sensible (in fact, I think it's sensible for almost all children ). It's another thing to throw into the mix when thinking about a school 5 miles away if you don't have transport.

If he is doing part time until half term, Christmas, or even longer, will you be able to pick him up early every day?

right, that sounds like a good plan. I agree with seeker - reception kids don't get "homework". DS's school (which I think is pretty typical) gives him a reading book a week with a few letter sounds or sightwords as well to do per week - you only need to spend 10-15 minutes a day at the very most - and if he's really tired then obv. you can skip it some days.

It is interesting what different experiences you have of reception to my own. My twins have had new reading books 3 times a week since the first week they started, and also after a term they get specific homework to do with humbers and writing every weekend.

As far as flexibility goes, I was stunned about how inflexible all the schools I looked at were, including the one we settled on. All had different schedules for breaking the kids into school life with half days etc but weren't prepared to make specific arrangements as it was too disruptive. Friends in other schools have experienced the same thing with the schools just saying this is how we do it here, and you must fall into line. I imagine I could have dug my heels in, but it is not great to start things off with a row, so we went with our chosen school's schedule. My point it, here in Kent it is not up to a parent to decide whether they want to start off part-time or full-time etc.

As far as the SEN issue goes - finding out what provision a school has is very wishy washy tbh. If your chold has additional needs ten you will need a Statement - most schools do not have the resources to provide additional 121 support for any child so you need to get this Statement. If this is an issue then you m ust start the process ASAP and get your chosen school involved as early as possible. Any arrangements and staffing they may already have in place may b e specifically funded and allocated to other children with Statements and so will not be of any relevance to a new child who starts.

We have weekly homework here - maths or writing task. Then ongoing reading books, sight vocab words and phonic work in the first term.
My son's school was very flexible with half days. Before Christmas he did perhaps 3 afternoons in total. Everyone was allowed to do it differently (4 yr olds). I even did a phase of mornings, then home for lunch, back for whole class phonics work for 40 minutes and home at 2pm. They didn't bat an eyelid and actually praised me for my flexibility at a parent's evening. They felt it was the best thing for him.

WhoDidThat - it doesn't matter which area you live in, until the term afer your child is 5, education is not statutory. Therefore, parents can decide whether they want their child to start full or part time. Schools may tell you it's disruptive etc. etc. etc. but they cannot stop you. I agree, it's not great to start off with a row, but if it's in the best interests of the child, then it would be worth doing.

Tambajam - your school sounds great.

Well, i live in Kent too, and I negotiated the starting school programme I wanted with both my children. You don't need to have a row - you just need to find an accomodation. Mind you, I think most little ones are much tougher ad readier for school than us parents think they are - I had to adapt my induction plan with ds because he was begging to stay for the afternoons!

nappyaddict if you are prepared to say which school I might have an opinion (I can't remember which side of K'er you live). If the not-driving thing is short term, then fine - 5 miles is not far really. If it is long-term then it could become a real PITA.

DD isn't due to go to school until 2010 and class size is one of my biggest worries.

I think class sizes are abit of a red herring. A big class divided into appropriate groups can be a much more exciting and stimulating place than a small one where you wre with the same 9 people all day every day. It depends on organization, the quality of the teaching and the number of adults. Remember that a class of 30 with two adults is in the same position as a class of 15 with one!

I would agree that you need to look at staff ratios and group sizes rather than class size per se - with a good teacher in charge of planning and direction a TA can lead a group of (say) 7-8 children very effectively.

When you look at a school they don't tell you about the staff pupil ratio exactly. They just say vague things,in a language I don't understand, for example

"Except during circle time, literacy hour, whole class maths challenge and KS1 demonics [made-up emoticon, but you get my drift], we normally have use of a classroom assistant, so long as she isn't involved in the NQTA training initiative in which case he/she must be allowed time off for independent study."

They do if you fix them with a steely gaze and ask direct questions.

stealth i am in kingswinford