Class size

Smaller class sizes are often what parents pay for if they send their child to an independent school. They are often quoted as one of the chief factors in raising attainmentSchools are measured nationally in terms of progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured. and attainment. Attainment is how well pupils do according to national averages, and in national examinations, regardless of how good they were when they started the school.. Students can flourish in larger classes, if they are motivated and on task. However, it is undeniable that in smaller classes, students are likely to get more individual attention from the teacher and therefore more teacher input to their learning.

• The usual maximum secondary school class size is 30 students, nearer 20 in practical subjects like PE or Technology. It is a cause for concern if class sizes are commonly over 30. Some schools are able to staff lessons so that class sizes are smaller at Key Stage 4Key stage 4 is the learning stage from Year 10Fourth year of secondary school, 14 - 15 years old.* age 15 to Year 11Fifth year of secondary school, 15 - 16 years old.* age 16. At the end of key stage 4 students take GCSEs*, BTECs*, Diplomas*, or other qualifications appropriate to their ability. in order to give students more individual support.
• Usually if a subject sets, it will have larger classes for higher sets and smaller classes for lower sets. The rationale being that higher ability students do not need so much individual attention from teachers because they are more motivated and better at independent learning. This is something a parent should bear in mind if they have a child who is of high ability but is not a good independent learner or has a short attention span. In this situation, the child might not flourish in the set which is most appropriate to their academic ability because of the class size. Sometimes in a settingSetting is a way of organising students into groups according to ability.Setting is particular to a subject area, so a student could be in the top set for Maths and the third set for English. system, able students placed in lower sets, and who need more attention, flourish because of the smaller class sizes.
• At Key Stage 4Key stage 4 is the learning stage from Year 10Fourth year of secondary school, 14 - 15 years old.* age 15 to Year 11Fifth year of secondary school, 15 - 16 years old.* age 16. At the end of key stage 4 students take GCSEs*, BTECs*, Diplomas*, or other qualifications appropriate to their ability., students select optionsTaking place in Year 9* options is the process where students choose which subjects they wish to study at key stage 4*. English, Maths, Science, RE*, Citizenship* and ICT* are not normally optional. Students can normally opt for a number of other subjects depending on the school’s curriculum. There is normally no guarantee that students will be given the subjects they opt for.. Often these classes are smaller than in the core subjectsCore subjects at secondary school are those which must be studied by all students, for example, English, Maths and Science. of English, Maths and Science.

Further Information

Open Evening

Ask about class sizes and how the needs of individual students are met within classes. Ask about the class sizes different option subjects usually have, and how small does a group have to be before a school decides it is not viable to run that option. If the school sets or streams*, you need to find out how this affects class sizes.

Prospectus

The prospectus should tell you how big classes are in core and option subjects at Key Stages 3 and 4. Visit If the class sizes look small, make sure you ask why. You need to know if the reason for small size classes is truancy or other absences.

Case Study

Summary