Class Size Reduction Program

On 9 March 2003, the NSW Government announced its commitment to reduce class sizes in Kindergarten to Year 2 to a statewide average of:

• 20 students in Kindergarten classes
• 22 students in Year 1 classes
• 24 students in Year 2 classes

Approximately 1,500 teachers will be needed to achieve this goal.

New funding of $710 million over four years will be provided for the program.

This includes additional capital funding of $107 million to build and install additional classrooms and $603 million to provide around 1,500 teaching positions.

The program to reduce class sizes is led by Ms Gillian Shadwick, General Manager, Learning and Development.

The Class Size Reduction Unit has been established to implement the program.

The unit has completed planning for 2007 utilising enrolment data collected by Human Resources Directorate and information from surveys of available accommodation conducted by Assets Management Directorate.

The Advisory Committee includes representation from the Primary Principals' Association, the NSW Teachers Federation, the Early Childhood Education Council the Federation of Parents and Citizens’ Associations of NSW, the Public School Principals’ Forum, and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group.

The Program, to be delivered in stages, started in 2004 with the reduction in the size of classes for Kindergarten students in priority schools.

Implementation has occurred as follows:

• Classes with Kindergarten students in priority schools, were staffed to achieve a statewide average of 20.

• Over 180 new teaching positions were provided as a result of the program.

• Classes with Kindergarten students were staffed to achieve a statewide average of 20.

• Classes with Year 1 students in priority schools were staffed to achieve a statewide average of 22.

• More than 1000 additional teaching positions were created under the Class Size Reduction Program.

• The implementation of this initiative progressed with more than 300 classrooms delivered to schools.

• Classes with Kindergarten students were staffed to maintain a statewide average of 20

• Classes with Year 1 students were staffed to achieve to a statewide average of 22.

• Classes with Year 2 students in priority schools were staffed to achieve a statewide average of 24.

• Over the last three years more than 1200 teaching positions and 500 classrooms have been provided through the program.

• Classes with Year 2 students are being staffed to achieve a statewide average of 24.

This report presents the analysis of survey data collected in 2005 from principals, teachers and parents of children in 15 randomly selected schools without Priority Schools Funding Program (PSFP) status.

This report presents the analysis of survey data collected in 2004 by principals, teachers and parents of children in 15 schools in the Priority Schools Funding Program (PSFP).

In 2002, the NSW Government announced that sizes would be reduced in the earliest years at selected schools under a $5 million size pilot.

The NSW Government announced a new classroom design to support the Class Size Reduction Program in primary schools.

The new classroom building contains two classrooms. Each classroom has a Practical Activities Area and Shared Withdrawal Area, classroom store, and IT cabling infrastructure.

The classrooms are in the order of 90 square meters and the new building design provides appropriate levels of lighting, cross ventilation and insulation to ensure comfort for students and teachers.

The NSW Government announced a new classroom design to support the Class Size Reduction Program in primary schools.

The new classroom building contains two classrooms. Each classroom has a Practical Activities Area and Shared Withdrawal Area, classroom store, and IT cabling infrastructure.

The classrooms are in the order of 90 square meters and the new building design provides appropriate levels of lighting, cross ventilation and insulation to ensure comfort for students and teachers.