SNP Close Class Size Loophole

9.19.35pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd Sep 2009

Edinburgh South Lib Dem Fred Mackintosh has welcomed the decision of the SNP Government to close the loophole that allowed P1 class sizes in Sciennes Primary to exceed 30 this year.

"The failure of the SNP Government to legislate to cap early primary classes sizes at 25 allowed non catchment area parents to win appeals this spring that put Sciennes Primary over 100 pupils in P1 for the first time for years" said Fred Mackintosh "In June my colleague Marilyne MacLaren repeated her calls for a change in the law and I am delighted that Cabinet Secretary has finally moved on this issue"

The law guarantees children a place at a school within their catchment area but if parents wish, they can apply for a place in a different area. For years the Edinburgh City Council had rejected these 'non district' applications when the class reaches 25.

However, the loophole that is to be closed allowed some classes to have more than 25 pupils and caused an increase in classes sizes for the 2009 P1 intake at Sciennes Primary School. Council leaders and parents were concerned that Council policy and Government guidelines alone are not enough to uphold a decision to reject a place.

Related Link:

We call for a change in the law - June 2009.