Smaller class a big help to pupils (From Gazette Series)

Smaller class a big help to pupils

Aidan Farrell is head teacher of Vale of Berkeley College, one of the smallest secondary schools in England, with just 250 pupils across the whole age range, including the sixth form. While this small scale can present difficulties there are also enormous advantages, as Mr Farrell explains.

SMALL secondary schools make a difference! That's the view emerging from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

I have recently spent two days with the Head teachers of 13 other small secondary schools from across the country at a conference organised by the Innovation Unit of the DfES.

The sole purpose of the conference was to discuss the unique features of small secondary schools and to think about how the experience and specialist knowledge of the head teachers and staff of those schools can be used by all secondary schools.

The fascinating thing for all those attending the conference was the way in which we all had very similar issues, irrespective of whether our school served a rural or urban community.

On the positive side, what came through loud and clear was the flexibility we have to look at each child as an individual and, increasingly, being able to personalise their learning. This enables us to reach their potential, no matter whether they are capable of achieving a couple of C grades at GCSE or if they are heading for a string of grades at A*.

The list of positive factors was pretty long and often centred around the fact that decisions involving the whole school do not get bogged-down with bureaucracy, but can be discussed, formulated and then acted upon extremely rapidly.

The common perception that small secondary schools are able to focus on the "whole" child was confirmed by school after school.

My experience of this at Vale of Berkeley is as good as most of the other schools present at the conference and better than some. I have been particularly aware of this with the 12 or so children who have joined the school since September, all having moved from far larger schools. A number of them were finding the larger schools anonymous and intimidating. I can see already that they are likely to grow and flourish in the smaller environment of the Vale of Berkeley.

We also discussed the challenges faced by smaller schools. All schools would argue for more money. The problem can be particularly acute for small secondary schools. Where, for example, the same basic administration functions have to be carried out as they do in a larger school, but end up taking a larger proportion of the funds available. These extra costs are not fully reflected in budget allocations.

Teachers often have to have multiple roles - four of my heads of year are also heads of department. This requires high-level organisational, inter-personal and administration skills.

I find, however, that staff relish these opportunities and they know that they are getting experiences rarely available in larger schools.

One aspect that can, if allowed, impact directly on children is that of being able to run viable GCSE groups. A group size of six might sound attractive in theory, but can sometimes not be big enough for the children to discuss and debate.

There are very few problems though that can't be solved with discussion and a healthy slice of lateral thinking.

The conference closed with a commitment to meeting again in late September - the date is already fixed. All those attending expressed interest in visiting at least one of the other schools before the autumn meeting. I've got my eyes fixed on a rural school in Herefordshire, where there are many parallels with the issues faced by the Vale of Berkeley.

The Department for Education and Skills has said it wants to listen to what we have to say. I feel that the proof of this will be in what happens with our report to the department in a year's time.

Meanwhile, you already have on your doorstep an example of what many countries across the world are now thinking should be an integral part of their overall educational provision.

Anyone who would like to see in action what I've been talking about above can telephone 01453 811396 or email me at admin@valeofberkeley.org.uk. I would love to show you around.