SUBMISSION FROM EAST COUNCIL

Purpose of report

1. To supply evidence to the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture committee of progress in Council in relation to meeting the national target of reducing class sizes to a maximum of 18 in Primaries 1-3.

Action to reduce class sizes in session 2009-2010:

2. Using the financial surplus which arose as a result of falling school rolls the budget for 15.9 full time equivalent teachers (FTE) was made available to the Department of Educational and Social Services to reduce class sizes in P1-P3 for session 2009-10. From this budget 14.1 nursery teachers, who were part of an early years review programme, were re-deployed into primary schools in P1-P3. The remaining balance of the budget was used to supplement the cost of probationer teachers to be allocated to eight schools help meet this target. In seven cases the re-deployed nursery teachers remained at the primary school at which they were previously employed as nursery teachers, facilitating continuity in relationships and the maintenance and further development of close links between education and the early years’ framework priorities.

3. The decision about which schools to allocate the resource was based on socio- economic factors, available accommodation and where there was capacity to re-deploy an existing surplus nursery teacher who wished to remain in the school. The following schools received the additional allocation: Annanhill PS, PS, Barshare PS, Bellfield PS, PS, Dalrymple PS, Dunlop PS, PS, Galston PS, Greenmill PS, Hillhead PS, PS, PS, Lainshaw PS, Loanhead PS, PS, Mount Carmel PS, Netherthird PS, New Farm PS, PS, PS, Onthank PS, and Silverwood PS.

Class size reduction figures for session 2009-2010

4. In session 2009-10, there are 594.8 secondary FTE in post; 538.4 primary FTE, 46.6 SEN FTE and 199.9 pre-school FTE (178.4 Early Years workers and 21.5 nursery teachers). The total numbers of teachers, including 44.4 FTE centrally deployed and 53.8 peripatetic teachers is 1,299.57 FTE, giving a pupil teacher ratio of 13.3/1 for this session.

5. In session 2009-10 there are 200 classes P1-P3. These are outlined in the table below. The average class size for the majority is 19.4 pupils (3,884 pupils including older pupils in composite classes). 1500 pupils were in class sizes of 18 or less (39%); 2146 pupils were in class sizes of 19 - 25 (55%) and 238 pupils were in class sizes of 26 – 27 (6%).

Session 2009-2010

Number of classes Number of pupils (P1-P3) (P1-P3) 2 10 1 11 3 12 4 13 4 14 8 15 26 16 21 17 24 18 16 19 19 20 12 21 7 22 12 23 20 24 12 25 5 26 4 27

Financial implications

6. The cost of managing the reduction from the 2008 figure to the 2009 figure was, for the period August 2009 to March 2010, £399,165. This covered the payment of the additional 15.9 FTE. The full financial year equivalent cost of this staffing is £633,456. In addition, eight fully funded probationers were allocated to reduce class sizes.

7. The 2010-11 revenue budget setting process has resulted in funding of £248,000, over and above the £633,456, being made available to the Department for session 2010-11. This will facilitate consolidation and extension of the present provision.

Andrew Sutherland Head of Service: Schools East Ayrshire Council 25 February 2010