PART IVPERFORMANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOLS

Limits on class sizes in F1foundation stage and key stage 116

1

This Article applies to pupils at a primary school who are in F2foundation stage and key stage 1.

C1C22

The Board of Governors of a primary school shall not cause or permit the number of pupils in a class at any time to exceed the statutory limit.

3

In this Article—

  • “the statutory limit”, in relation to any description of pupils, means the number for the time being prescribed in relation to pupils of that description;

  • “class”, in relation to the statutory limit for any description of pupils, means a teaching group in which—

    1. a

      pupils of that description are regularly taught; and

    2. b

      the majority of pupils are pupils of that description.

4

Paragraph (2) shall not apply to a school in such cases or circumstances as F4the Authority may direct.

5

Regulations may require F4the Authority in exercising its powers under paragraph (4) to have regard to such matters as may be prescribed.

6

Before exercising its powers under paragraph (4) in relation to a school, F4the Authority shall consult—

a

such bodies or persons as may be prescribed; and

b

where the school is a Catholic maintained school, the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.

7

It shall be the duty of F3the Authority to exercise its functions with a view to ensuring that the Boards of Governors of grant-aided schools are in a position to fulfil their duty under this Article.

8

In Article 12(2) of the [1997 NI 5.] Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (determination of admissions number for school) at the end add

and

c

the requirements of Article 16 of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (limit on class sizes)