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Review of class sizes taken forward
11/11/2009
A review to address the mix of class size control mechanisms that have developed over time across school years is to be led by David Cameron, President of ADES.
David Cameron - a former Director of Children's Services at Stirling Council - will take forward an in-depth review of the various class size control mechanisms, which include regulations, circulars, and teachers' terms and conditions, announced Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop today.
Mr Cameron's review will have a remit to bring forward recommendations before next summer on the best approach for coherent and effective class size control mechanisms in Scottish schools.
This follows the announcement in September of plans for a legal maximum of 25 for all primary one classes from August next year.
Ms Hyslop said:
"Reducing class sizes to a maximum of 25 in P1 will give authorities the legal protection they require to control class sizes, while helping us in work towards our aim of reducing class sizes in the early years, so that pupils can receive more time and attention in the classroom.
"However, across all primary and secondary school years, there exists a confusing mix of measures and controls to determine maximum class sizes. The review, led by David Cameron, will take in to account international and alternative approaches and encompass the views of all with a keen interest in simplifying class size management across Scotland.
"The group will explore whether new class size control mechanisms might be required or necessary and whether it would be appropriate for councils to be given powers to determine class size limits themselves, either across the authority or on a school by school basis.
A coherent approach will help local authorities and Government to ensure more effective educational provision for Scotland's young people."
David Cameron said:
"I was delighted to be asked by the Cabinet Secretary to take forward this review. We do need to clarify the situation around class sizes and I look forward to working with all interested parties to achieve this."
The review will engage with organisations including: COSLA, the Association of Directors of Education Scotland, teacher unions, General Teaching Council Scotland and the National Parents' Forum.
Existing arrangements for regulation of class sizes are as follows:
- Primary one - maximum of 25 set by circular
- Primary one to three - maximum of 30 set by regulations
- Primary four to seven - maximum of 33 set by teachers' terms and conditions
- Composite classes - maximum of 25 set by teachers' terms and conditions
- Secondary one to two - maximum of 33 set by teachers' terms and conditions
- Secondary one and two maths and English - maximum of 20 set by circular
- Secondary three to six - maximum of 30 set by teachers' terms and conditions
- Practical classes - maximum of 20 set by teachers' terms and conditions.