From: Ledingham, Don [mailto:dledingham@eastlothian.gov.uk]
Sent: 02 June 2008 12:42
To: david.anning@tiscali.co.uk
Cc: Trotter, Tom; Richardson, Sheena (Councillor); Broun-Lindsay, Ludovic; Debbie Strachan; Parker, Richard; Jobson, Maureen
Subject: RE: Letter from Haddington Infant School Parent Partnership re proposed P2/P3 composite class


Dear David
 
My apologies for not replying sooner.  
 
I had been delaying my response as there was a possibility that
Haddington Infant School would receive a fully funded probationer next
year who would help to reduce pupil teacher ratio.  Unfortunately I am
not yet in a position to confirm that this will be the case.
 
As regards class organisation there will be 11 classes next year with a
composite class at P2/3.  
 
The average class size next year will be 26 pupils - as opposed to 25
last session.  The P1 classes all have a maximum of 21 pupils - last
year it was 24.  The composite class has 20 pupils - well below the
maximum size of 25 for a composite class.
 
80% of schools in East Lothian currently have composite classes and
there is no evidence to suggest that pupils education suffers in any
way.  In the last session I have personally observed a huge number of
such classes and the quality of education is of a very high standard. 
 
I understand your concern - as a parent whose own child went into a
composite class I took some time to be convinced that it would not have
detrimental effect.  As is the case with all parents my concerns were
resolved once I saw that it actually proved to be a positive experience.
Children are incredibly resilient and what at the time seems to be a
crisis when faced with having to change classes proves to be a very
minor blip. 
 
As you are aware we have a duty to provide a high quality education
within the available budget - which has led to some difficult decisions
having to be taken. However, we are confident that the Haddington Infant
School can deliver such an education for children next year.  The
quality of the teaching force, the support staff and the management
team, allied to the support offered by the parental body all combine to
providing an outstanding educational environment.
 
Kind regards
 
Don Ledingham

Don Ledingham 
Acting Director of Education and Children's Services 
East Lothian Council 
Tel : 01620-827596 
e-mail: dledingham@East Lothian.gov.uk