Last week the Government announced changes to teacher staffing ratios that will increase class sizes and result in the loss of 500 teacher positions every year for the next five years. I am struggling with this concept as it will reduce the amount of time teachers have with individual students and put pressure on schools to find more money to reduce class sizes themselves.

At our school, we anticipate this may mean 1-2 next year and 1 over the next five years, assuming current roll projections.

Teachers’ are very concerned at this decision because research shows that smaller classes help boost children’s reading and maths performance, improve behaviour and engagement, especially for children who are struggling.   Research shows that the teacher student relationship is essential to a child's learning and success at school, having less time to develop this more students in a class will be a further barrier for many children.  All the Positive Behaviour for Learning initiatives such as Incredible Years are underpinned by the relationships with the child.

More students in classes less time on individuals.