School Reception class sizes - scotland

oliel

I have applied for my child to start school at the local catholic school - she has been attending the non denomination nursery in this school for the last 2 years and has attended lunch at the school/assembly etc. We are not catholic but we do live in the catchment area. I understand from the school that places are allocated as follows: Catholics, Siblings then distance. I have been told that the school roll is 142, and that the class size for reception starting august is going to be 21 (they have had 23 applications). However I know that there are some children leaving the school in April causing the school to be undersubscribed. If this happens does it mean that the school will be able to increase the reception class size? I understand the maximum class size is 25 for reception children in Scotland. Just need to understand as its a close call for my daughter getting in and need to prepare in event of the worst ourcome. thanks for any advice.

bunty109

I assume that the class in the School will be mixed P1 and P2 as the maximum is 25 for such a class? If that's the case, you may be able to appeal as they haven't maxed out on the number of children they could take. I am not sure it matters whether children leave the school further up or not. The school my child attends (in England) was told by an appeals panel that it had to take another child into Year 6 as it hadn't exceeded the permissible maximum.

However, maybe you needn't start to worry yet: they are only oversubscribed by 2 children and if you live in catchment there may well be people out of catchment like yourself also applying. I'd also bear in mind the fact that there is often a fair amount of movement in schools and that if you go on the waiting list if you don't get in, there is a chance a place may become available if parents move away or decide on other schools for their children.

oliel

As I understand I was told that the class number for p1 - next year is going to be 21 and thats its not going to be composite. But then told that the maximum number for a primary one class is 25 in Scotland. Is this correct? Does anyone know how I can find out - tried the scottish executive but no reply!!!!

ChasingButterflies

Hi,

There is some info here,

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1761931.0.0.php?act=complaint&cid=681585

and here

http://www.scottishexecutive.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/16094326/1

It looks like the maximum is 25 but that local authorities/schools will be reducing so that the meet the target of the maxiumum size of 18 by 2011.

Glad

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