Protesting mothers gathered outside a school to complain about their children's classes being merged.

Cann Hall Primary School in Constable Avenue, Clacton, which has 560 pupils, may have to lose four of its 21 teachers from September due to funding problems.

Fed up - Sharon Metcalfe with other parents who are angry at the proposals to merge classes at Cann Hall Primary School, Clacton. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

This will mean the school will have to reduce the number of classes.

It plans to do this by reducing four of its year groups from three forms per year to two forms by merging the classes.

About 30 mothers heard of the changes which were discussed at a school finance meeting on Tuesday night and went to the school en masse to speak to headteacher Howard Williamson.

Mother Sue Jacobs, who has a daughter in year two, said: "It's disgusting. It will affect their learning. It's really disruptive for the kids and it's just not fair."

Another mother, Michaela Day said: "I think my daughter would be better off with home tutoring than studying in a class of 40. I feel so disappointed."

Some classes will be increased from about 23 pupils to 37.

Most of the parents had pupils in year two and said they were upset after their youngsters' classes had already been altered when they were in year one and they did not think the children could cope with another change.

Mr Williamson said: "I tried to explain the situation to them and say that it's not a situation we are making. It's a problem of funding."

He said this year's school budget was £85,000 down on last year and the problem was not just down to a Government shortfall but also falling pupil numbers.

Published Thursday, June 5, 2003

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