The DfEE announced today that Coventry City Council is to get a total of £831,000 to put its approved ‘Class Size Plan’ into action. Of the funding, £604,000 is for employing additional teachers and £227,000 is for building extra classroom space.

The plan will ensure that Coventry schools meet Government requirements that from September 2001, all infant classes (5,6 and 7 year olds) must have no more than 30 children. It is intended that Coventry’s plan will be in action by September 2000.

Councillor George Duggins, Chair of Education and Cultural Affairs Policy Co-ordinating Committee said:

"I clearly welcome this announcement. A lot of hard work and consultation has gone into Coventry’s Class Size Plan, so I’m very pleased that we’ve been awarded the resources to put it into action. We will be working with headteachers and school governors to achieve the Governments targets on class size – and to make best use of the resources we’ve been given. This is an example of the benefit of a Labour Government and Council working together on a common education agenda.

"In Coventry the reduction in class size dovetails in well with a nursery provision which is one of the best in the Country. We are investing in the future of our children and our City through this policy."

What’s going to change?

• The City Council will be changing the standard numbers and therefore the admissions limits of certain schools;

• In addition, where it is appropriate additional class teachers will be employed to reduce class size.

What’s not going to change?

• The school admissions policy will stay the same – however, when parents appeal for admission to a school, the Appeals Committees must make sure that class sizes do not exceed 30, and must also consider how their decision will affect Key Stage 2 classes.

• It is intended that reception-aged children should always be taught in single-aged classes

• County and Church schools in the City will continue to have the same relative proportion of places