WE are the parents of two children who attend Ellwood Primary School. Prior to the summer holidays we received a letter, addressed to all parents notifying us of the class structure for the new year. We were greatly disturbed to discover that our daughter was moving into a new class and being split from the majority of her class mates and her best friends and our son was being held down in the reception class, whilst the majority of his class moved into year one.
Along with a number of other concerned parents, we met with the headmaster, who informed us that because of limitations on class sizes he had been forced to re-structure the classes through the school to ensure uniformity of class sizes. Little mention was made of the educational impact this would cause to children who were being "kept down" or the effects on the children's social welfare by being split from their class mates and best friends.
Despite a growing concern among parents at this unilateral decision by the headmaster and the rather callous way in which parents were informed of such an important decision affecting their children, the headmaster has made it clear that his decision is final and would support any parent who wished to move their children to an alternative school, perhaps since this may resolve the self inflicted problem that the school has placed itself in of admitting too many children into the school in previous years, perhaps as a result of the funding methodology that was in practice at that time.
I could understand and accept the headmaster's decision to split the classes if it were based upon the best interests of the children, but the decision is based entirely on the "policy" to ensure class sizes are maintained at agreed levels. The disruption this will cause to some children, especially those children that will be split from their friends, but who find it difficult to form new friendships, will be immeasurable.
Like many parents at Ellwood, our options are very limited since no parent would wish to make a decision that could further damage the chances of their children receiving a good and balanced education. I had hoped that by writing to the chair of governors to express my concerns as a parent, that this important issue would have at least been discussed further if only to allow other parents to voice their concerns. Unfortunately it appears that the Governors have more pressing issues to address since my letter has yet to be acknowledged, yet alone replied to.
Is it not about time that some headmasters realised that their first priority must be for the welfare of the children they have responsibility for and not about balancing the books and playing the numbers game? – Colin and Linda Gray, High Street, Clearwell.