Haddington Infant School Parents

Comment from Debbie
Time: 14 June 2008, 6:38 pm

I would like more information on the fact that 20% of schools do NOT have composite classes, that 20% of East Lothian schools will have class sizes of 18 or less and a balanced view on the pros,
but more importantly the cons of a composite class??

If composite classes are such a positive experience then why are they not used universally??

Comment from janette fairgrieve
Time: 15 June 2008, 7:08 pm

As a Parent I am very concerned that these budget cuts will affect my child’s education. I note that Don Ledingham states that there is no evidence to suggest that larger and composite classes have a detrimental affect on the childrens’ education. I would be interested to see the evidence he has to back up that statement.
Clearly there needs to be a new formula to calculate predictable needs budgets, I fail to see how the provision of free school meals can determine the additional support needs.

Comment from Kirsty Skene
Time: 24 June 2008, 11:32 am

As a parent I am very disappointed with the way the new classes have been created by the school. I appreciate that creating three classes from four is never easy but I do feel that it could have been done in a fairer manner. I went into the school to discuss my concerns, as did a number of other parents, and was informed that moving children into other classes was definitely not an option. Without going into too much detail I was informed by my class teacher and the head teacher that a mistake had been made with my child’s class allocation and they did apologise to me. I was therefore very surprised to hear on Monday, not from the school, that some of these parents had been accommodated and their children’s classes had been changed and the new class lists finalised. I strongly believe that either all the requests for changes should have been made or none at all. I would also have appreciated being informed by the school and not another parent. I really believe that a more cohesive policy should be followed when carrying out this unwelcome task of class reorganisation.

Comment from Debbie
Time: 24 June 2008, 7:39 pm

Hi Kirsty
I appreciate your concerns and will of course raise them at the next PC meeting - the AGM on 8th Sept. Maybe we should liaise beforehand via email and hopefully alleviate some of your concerns before then

Thanks Debbie, Chair PC

Comment from Kay Boylan
Time: 24 June 2008, 9:15 pm

It would appear that a different method needs to be tried when creating new classes. Parents appreciate that this is not an easy task but I for one would be a lot happier if children’s friendships had a higher importance when carrying out this task.
I also strongly believe that if a number of parents have requested a change in their child’s class that either all of these requests are granted or none. The current situation where only some have been granted has created an unequal situation that is not good for school morale.

Comment from Gillian Greenshields
Time: 23 September 2008, 4:51 pm

I would like to see a real effort made by the school - this year - the first year of our school having a composite class - to ensure that all P2s have a chance to mix with their peers. At the moment I can see a real division between playgrounds - Campie Primary School in Musselburgh have composite classes and ensure that all year groups meet up once a week - why can the infants not do this, it would just mean one full P2 class and 12 children from the composite moving over to the annexe playground once a week to play with their peers - and lets face it, friends they have been seperated from. Its not enough to say that the P2s have always been seperated - this year we have a composite class and something needs to be done.

Comment from Gillian Greenshields
Time: 4 November 2008, 6:46 pm

I just wanted to say how much the P2 play at lunchtime has been a success the past few days !!! Having the whole year group together in the annexe playground until it is time for their lunch has been a huge success - I am sure other parents will agree.