how many children in your child's reception class?

[pofacedandproud]

Ds just started reception in a city school. Class huge, 32, and another class with open doors to his also has 30 ish children. They do most stuff together. They do have two teachers and two TAs [all very good] but it is just mayhem in there. Thinking about options. Small rural schools [would have to move] or private [would have to sell a kidney]

So, can you tell me, how many children in your child's class? Private and state? Trying to get a good idea of what the alternatives are.

He's doing ok, thanks Captain. But I think he's a bit overwhelmed. We have the 'I don't want to go' in the mornings and then he puts a brave face on it when he's there. He looks a bit lost in the hordes though.

There is a two form entry at my son's school. The start with 28 in each class. He's now in Year One and here are 30. There's one teacher and one TA for each class. I went and helped several times and it was never mayhem. It was very calm and orderly.

I had been worried about such big classes but they are managed very well. Obviously they don't get huge amounts of individual attention but they do benefit from a large pool of friends as they do some work (eg phonics) and activities in groups across the year, rather than all within the class.

There are 2 classes of 20 in DD's (private, Australian) school. I was a bit surprised that there isn't a specific TA in the class, but there are lots of people in and out and different teachers for music/sport/Italian etc. Kids who need extra help have already been identified (we're 3/4 way through the year here) and get 1:1 with the ed support staff.