New free state primary can restrict class sizes to just 20
A new free school has become one of the first state primaries in London to keep class sizes to only 20 pupils.
Canary Wharf College has been given permission to reject more pupils than neighbouring state schools in an attempt to keep class sizes low.
The move comes after a warning that thousands of primary school-age children will start term in temporary classrooms because of a lack of places.
Canary Wharf College's figure of 20 pupils per class is closer to the situation in the private sector and almost a third lower than other state schools in Tower Hamlets, where the average is 28.
Campaigners said it was the first step to a "segregated state school system". Alasdair Smith, national secretary of the Anti Academies Alliance, said: "All heads would love 20 students per class if they could but there is no financial way they can do that. Real cuts are hitting education but millions of pounds are being put into free schools."
A spokeswoman at the Department for Education said local authorities can limit class sizes. But they have a legal duty to give every child a place, so if one school limits numbers another must take on more pupils. Free schools are funded on the same basis as others but do not face this pressure.
London has a huge shortage of school places, with 70,000 new ones needed. A total of 11,000 pupils were taught in temporary classrooms last year, while more than one in five children will this month start at a primary that was not their first choice.
Canary Wharf College principal Sarah Counter said the small classes were set out in the school's funding agreement with the Government. She added: "Having 20 children in each class is unique. It is great we can stop at 20. Other primaries are allowed to take up to 30.
"If you are trying to teach children to read and write, especially in an area where it's very multi-cultural and substantial numbers speak English as an additional language, they need individual attention if you are going to make good headway."
Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: "Class sizes in London are already hugely stretched.
"Parents who send their children to ordinary state schools will get very annoyed by this."
