reception class of 36 - advice please

[Guest]

i'm in nursery, but our reception teacher is really stressed, and i feel she needs to go to her union. what do you think? she had 31 children, and 2 TA's, but now she's up to 36, and may get more ...... she has been told that they are looking to get a supply teacher in but she has to remain the class teacher and be accountable for the class, and the supply teacher can only have groups, i.e. she can't split the class, which to me would seem the sensible solution. incidentally year 1 is up to 31 and year 2 now have 34, and the head is looking to get a supply teacher to have a split year 1/2. does this seem fair? it's my old class from last year, and i feel for them, parents and her

[AnonyMouse_79]

Cant hurt to chat to her union and get some advice, they wont get involved with the school unless she gives instructions for them to do so.

[AnonyMouse_3307]

I'm assuming they are over infant class size legislation because the children have got in on appeal? The Requirement is 1:30 though so as far as I know you would be required to have 2 QTS for the group.

Cx

[Guest]

our school can admit 45 children in each year group, with the eventual aim of having mixed-age classes. our numbers have increased due to appeals. so should the class be split into 2 or is it acceptable to have supply teacher taking groups, and class teacher having charge of the whole class? e.g. doing register for 36 etc. and it could keep going up .... i feel for her

[AnonyMouse_22106]

No advice sorry - but to say this seems to be happening a lot at our local schools too, both nursery and KS1 classes are constantly increasing their numbers

[Guest]

No advice sorry - but to say this seems to be happening a lot at our local schools too, both nursery and KS1 classes are constantly increasing their numbers

at least we have to have 1:13, and can't go over 39 with 3 of us x

[AnonyMouse_3307]

Even with a published admissions number of 45 you have to adhere to infant class size legislation.

You would have 2 classes in each year group up to yr2.

The class teacher should discuss this with her union and get advice re what she is being asked to do. I don't think she can be required to manage a class responsibility for over 30 children but there have been so man y changes in TP&C I'm not certain now.

Cx

[AnonyMouse_22106]

Can a Reception or KS1 class go over 30 IF there is a teacher plus a TA?

[AnonyMouse_3307]

There has to be 1 teacher to every 30 children. A teacher has to have QTS. So not a TA. Schools can go over the PAN if they have to take children in on appeal but as far as I know they still have to meet infant class size legislation.

Cx

[AnonyMouse_33773]

Can a Reception class of 30 have one teacher only, without a TA?

[AnonyMouse_26037]

Can a Reception class of 30 have one teacher only, without a TA?

Yes.

[AnonyMouse_33773]

Wow! I imagine that to be a challenge...

[AnonyMouse_26037]

Wow! I imagine that to be a challenge...

Yes! I only have 19 reception but I have 11 year ones too. I have roughly ten hours of TA time a week dotted about here and there - afternoons are always on my own. I'm exhausted!

[Guest]

Yes! I only have 19 reception but I have 11 year ones too. I have roughly ten hours of TA time a week dotted about here and there - afternoons are always on my own. I'm exhausted!

that must be sooooo difficult to cope with a mixed-age class with reception. schools often steer clear of mixed-age classes with reception, and keep the reception class small. i don't know how you do it! will get my colleague to consider union advice. thanks for help everyone x

[AnonyMouse_3307]

The ratio for reception has always been 1:30, even before the EYFS existed as a concept. And yes, it is tough to be key person to 30 children.

Cx