In article , Joe
wrote:
John Cartmell wrote:
In article , Joe
wrote:

Basically a streamed comprehensive. Six-form intake, two grammar, two
technical and two secondary modern in the first year. Promotions and
relegations throughout the time there, though most in the first year. It
was possible to arrive in the lower s-m stream and do A-levels (someone
in my year did). Only about three forms left by the fifth year (it was
possible to leave before 16 in those days).

My only real criticism of such is the size of such institutions in
practice.

Around 850 during the years I was there, including the sixth form. Not
large as comprehensives go today. Class size around 35.

Y7 - 6x35 = 210
Y8 - 6x35 = 210
Y9 - 6x35 = 210
Y10- 6x35 = 210
Y11- 3x35 = 105
Y12 - 2x25 = 50
Y13 - 2x25 = 50

Total 1045

A bit large. My school (approx 1000 specialist grammar inc 6th form) could
cope because the facilities that would be required for a wider curriculum - eg
commerce, technology (not to mention girls!) - were ignored. One (very)
excellent comprehensive that I taught at worked by being significantly larger
(+ it had a sneaky way of ensuring that pupils and parents were highly
motivated - comprehensive but *very* selective). It was, in many ways, too
large though.

--
John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
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