Class Size Matters: A Devastating Truth from the Frontline of Education
In a scathing rebuke to those who claim that class size has no bearing on teaching and learning, a quartet of educators share their personal experiences of witnessing the transformative power of smaller class sizes. For 25 years, one teacher had been managing large primary classes, but when the lockdowns came in 2020-21, her world was turned upside down.
In this brief window of freedom from overcrowding, she found herself able to spend precious individual time with just 18 students, many of whom were struggling or needed special attention. The lessons became more meaningful, with students growing in confidence and receiving the help they desperately required. Even simple science investigations, which had long been a distant dream due to resource constraints, suddenly became achievable.
However, this idyllic period was short-lived, as soon after the lockdowns ended, classes resumed their usual size, leaving many students without enough space or resources to truly learn. The stark contrast highlights the bitter truth that class sizes do indeed matter – not just for teachers' sanity but also for the quality of education itself.
Caroline Manley's 25 years in primary education have shown her the devastating impact of large classes on both teaching and learning. Class sizes above 20, she claims, lead to outcomes vastly different from those achieved with smaller groups. While costs are often cited as an argument against reducing class sizes, the benefits far outweigh any drawbacks.
Meanwhile, Prof Colin Richards recounts his own experiences in overcrowded classrooms in the 1960s, when teaching was a Herculean task due to the sheer number of students. The lessons were often reduced to mere "teaching" exercises, with individual children slipping through the cracks. Sixty years on, he believes that smaller class sizes can help meet the diverse needs of students and provide them with the attention they deserve.
The statistics may have improved since then – average class sizes in 2024 are reported at 26.6 pupils – but progress has been slow. As Martin Goodwin's nostalgic glance at his old school photo shows, some real change is long overdue. The evidence from these educators serves as a stark reminder that the emphasis on smaller class sizes should not be dismissed as mere idealism, but rather recognized as a necessity for truly effective education.
In a scathing rebuke to those who claim that class size has no bearing on teaching and learning, a quartet of educators share their personal experiences of witnessing the transformative power of smaller class sizes. For 25 years, one teacher had been managing large primary classes, but when the lockdowns came in 2020-21, her world was turned upside down.
In this brief window of freedom from overcrowding, she found herself able to spend precious individual time with just 18 students, many of whom were struggling or needed special attention. The lessons became more meaningful, with students growing in confidence and receiving the help they desperately required. Even simple science investigations, which had long been a distant dream due to resource constraints, suddenly became achievable.
However, this idyllic period was short-lived, as soon after the lockdowns ended, classes resumed their usual size, leaving many students without enough space or resources to truly learn. The stark contrast highlights the bitter truth that class sizes do indeed matter – not just for teachers' sanity but also for the quality of education itself.
Caroline Manley's 25 years in primary education have shown her the devastating impact of large classes on both teaching and learning. Class sizes above 20, she claims, lead to outcomes vastly different from those achieved with smaller groups. While costs are often cited as an argument against reducing class sizes, the benefits far outweigh any drawbacks.
Meanwhile, Prof Colin Richards recounts his own experiences in overcrowded classrooms in the 1960s, when teaching was a Herculean task due to the sheer number of students. The lessons were often reduced to mere "teaching" exercises, with individual children slipping through the cracks. Sixty years on, he believes that smaller class sizes can help meet the diverse needs of students and provide them with the attention they deserve.
The statistics may have improved since then – average class sizes in 2024 are reported at 26.6 pupils – but progress has been slow. As Martin Goodwin's nostalgic glance at his old school photo shows, some real change is long overdue. The evidence from these educators serves as a stark reminder that the emphasis on smaller class sizes should not be dismissed as mere idealism, but rather recognized as a necessity for truly effective education.
I drew a simple mind map to represent this topic:
i've seen it happen in my own classes where a teacher can just take that extra minute to explain something and make it click for the student. it's not rocket science but with so many kids fighting for attention it's hard to give each person the love they need 
it's like they're trying to cram 18-20 people into a room meant for like 5-6 students, you know? and yeah, the benefits of smaller class sizes are real - my little cousin was in a big class last year and he barely got any attention from the teacher... but what really gets me is that it's not just about the teachers, it's about those kids who deserve better 
But when they were down to 20 or less, it was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. The kids' grades actually improved and she said it was because she could tailor the lessons to their needs. 
Just kidding ( kind of 
). Seriously though, smaller class sizes are key to helping our kids succeed. We need to prioritize this! 
small classes all day every day would make such a huge difference lol just imagine being able to actually see your students' faces during lessons and knowing you can help each one individually 18 students was like a dream come true for that teacher what's the point of having more resources if you're still stuck with too many kids in the classroom?
. I remember when I was in school and we had to share equipment like computers and art supplies... it was a real struggle. Now that I'm older, I can see how having smaller classes would've made all the difference in my education. And honestly, even with the added costs, I think it's worth it for the benefits to our kids 
. Maybe it's time for us to rethink our priorities and invest in education that really matters?
. It's like, you're trying to do your best with resources that aren't there, and it feels so unfair. I think we all know how hard teachers work, but this just highlights how important smaller class sizes are for kids to really thrive 
But seriously, the fact that it took four educators to come forward and share their own experiences is kinda telling. Like, what other ways can we be forced to see the issue at hand before we start taking action? 
. Come on, folks! We're not talking about some fancy new tech here; we're talking about basic human needs... like individual attention from a teacher. It's time to wake up and smell the coffee (or in this case, the chalk dust 
), but also about giving kids the best possible education.
. Compare that to when he had a teacher who was stuck with 30 kids or more... it's like night and day.
. We can make it happen! 
. And let's be real, teachers' sanity is pretty important too 
. We should be prioritizing our education system over costs – it's time for some serious reform! 
.