Is 40 Children in a class legal?

[JOEYGREEN]

We went to a school meeting today as my daughter starts reception class in September (full time). She is only just 4 but they only do one intake now so she'll start very early. Anyway, at the meeting we were told that there will be 40 children and this is the absolute maximum you can have. It's an awful lot of children for 1 teacher and a teaching assistant (there may be another teaching assistant too - I need to find this out). I've looked online and can see figures of 30 and 32 but nothing more than that but the head assured us that 40 is the maximum number. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks

[rockyracoon]

https://www.education...ons/.../DFE-RR169.pdf

This might help you, it's a boring read but should have all the info you want, try page 10.

[rockyracoon]

Link's not working, I'll try again, hang on.

[B00]

I always had the figure '30' in my head, and I think i'm right, if this forum topic is anything to go by.

http://www.mumsnet.co...ol-class/AllOnOnePage

Have to admit, i wouldn't be happy for my child, especially at reception age when they're so young and its all so new to have so many other children also vying for attention!

[rockyracoon]

https://www.education...ownload/DFE-RR169.pdf

Hopefully this works.

[Pea Pod]

http://www.politics.c...reference/class-sizes

[JOEYGREEN]

Thank you for the links - I'll have a read. It worries me too Boo!

[bednobs]

according to this, yes! http://uk.lifestyle.y...s-school-classes.html

[joeluke]

On the news recently there was school which had up to 70 pupils in a class (2 teachers and 3 or 4 classroom assistants)

[bednobs]

that is the link i posted 2 minutes before you

[sophie_1003]

Just checked the new EYFS document which will be in place from September, it says that there should be no more than 30 children per class teacher, 40 in a class would be fine providing there are 2 teachers. Teaching assistants do not count in these numbers.

[ojread2]

It will depend on the qualifications of the TA's
With 40 children, aged 4 they could get away with just 4 members of staff and once those children turn 5 it will be less
That's a big class though

[ojread2]

70 kids in one class??
Ridiculous

[Sheenamf]

I work with 3-4 yr olds a couple of days a week, and several are part time. It may be that this is the case with your daughter's school, as I can assure you that 24 is about our limit in terms of management and good practice, though I believe 30 is the max as Sophie and others have said. That's with three very experienced adults in the class.

[Sheenamf]

Sorry I see you said full time- that's a big step for a four year old!

[JonnyBoy12]

I am with BOO on this one. It is a generally accepted fact that 30 is the maximum a teacher can effectively teach. Any more than that and they would be too rowdy or not get enough attention. I do not care what the law is on this; I am applying the law of common sense to this problem.

[sherrardk]

Our local primary is over subscribed and they stick at 30 in a class. There is a lot of movement in and out of the school as there is an army camp in the catchment area. The class has one teacher but lots of TAs. I honestly thought they could not have more than 30 children to one teacher at that age. Will subscribe to this to see if anyone can throw any more light onto the subject.