East Lothian Courier | News | Rocketing class fears

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 24th April, 2008 08:10

Rocketing class fears

COUNCIL education chiefs have moved to quell unrest among Dunbar Primary School parents who fear class sizes could soar as a result of the 1.5 per cent cut in the annual budget of county schools.

Parents became agitated after learning that the council was considering a cut in teacher numbers from the expected 28 required for the next academic year to 26 – resulting in the merger of some classes.

Such a merger would dramatically increase class sizes in some year groups from 25 pupils to 33 and could mean establishing a composite class (composed of children from more than one year group, eg. P3/4).

But the education department has stressed that nothing has been finalised and it is currently in a “discussion phase” with the headteacher.

At the April meeting of the Dunbar Parent Council, members resolved to urge East Lothian Council to rethink its stance on cutting teacher posts – arguing that the school intake from new housing developments could push class sizes even higher, raising numbers above the advised threshold of 33 (25 for P1).

Dunbar/East Linton councillor Norman Hampshire said that reducing teacher numbers would have a “significant impact on teaching and learning” in the school.

“In some cases class sizes will rise to 33 pupils – in complete contrast to the SNP/Lib Dem pledge to reduce class sizes to 18,” he said.

“I am advising Dunbar parents to continue to press for the same number of classes as we currently have.”

Don Ledingham, director of education and children’s services for East Lothian, said: “The initial discussion document sent to Dunbar Primary School indicated that the school could run with fewer classes next year, which would mean establishing a composite class.

“We are considering the impact that any inward migration would have on the school roll at Dunbar Primary next year, but our research indicates that our intake management plan has been successful and we feel that next year the school can deliver quality education with fewer classes.”

A council spokesman said that the local authority was in discussion with the headteacher.

And he stressed that nothing was to be decided until May.

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