Infant class size regulations

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There are restrictions to the size of classes for infant children.

The law says that during a normal teaching session infant classes must not contain more than 30 children to one teacher. Infant classes are those where the majority of children will reach the age of five, six or seven during the school year (i.e. reception and Key Stage 1 classes). A normal teaching session does not include a school assembly or other school activity usually conducted with large groups of pupils e.g. PE/games, music, singing, drama, watching television or listening to the radio.

Schools must admit up to their Published Admissions Number (PAN) but, if you are applying for an infant place, admission authorities may refuse your application if they have reached this limit.

There are only very limited exceptional circumstances which will enable an admission authority to offer a place in an infant class which already contains 30 pupils. These are to admit a child with a statement of Special Educational Needs, to admit a child in care, to admit a child if a mistake has denied the child a place at the school, or to admit a child who has no reasonable alternative school.

Last updated: 25 August 2010