MANY children in reception classes will be taught by two teachers next September

About 30 Bolton primary schools have decided to cut class sizes for current infant pupils by simply putting another teacher in each classroom.

The extra member of staff will enable schools to reach government targets in infant class sizes which will now cover current reception pupils.

The five-year-olds will benefit from double the number of teachers throughout the next two years but go back to larger classes when they go into the juniors in two years time.

Children entering the same schools in future years will automatically be in smaller classes because headteachers plan to cut the annual intake to 30 or below.

The additional teachers needed for reception children over the next two years are included in the 61 announced for Bolton yesterday.

Money will be handed straight over to schools to pay for the extra teachers but some may use it to stave off predicted redundancies because of falling rolls.

But education chiefs say they are delighted with the town's allocation from the Government and chairman Cllr Don Eastwood said: "This is really excellent news for children, parents and teachers. Smaller classes are important to raise standards for infant children.

"We have been working with schools to put together a plan to ensure no child would be in a class of more than 30 by September 2000. This government grant means we can achieve that target." Schools to get extra money for teachers for reception children in1998 and 1999 Beaumont (1), Blackshaw (1), Chalfont (2), Church Road (1), Clarendon (1), Eagley infant (2), Eatock (1), Egerton (2), Heathfield (1), High Lawn (1), Highfield (3), Johnson Fold (1), Kearsley West (2), Lever Edge (2), Lostock (1), Markland Hill (3), Masefield (1), Prestolee (1), The Oaks (2), Wolfenden (1), Crompton Fold (1), Bolton Parish (2), St Thomas Chequerbent (1), St Andrews Over Hulton (2), St Bede (3), St George (2), St John's, Kearsley (1), St Matthew Little Lever (1), St Maxentius (1), St Michael (2), St Peter, Farnworth (1), St Peter, Smithills (1), St Saviour, Ringley (1), St Stephen and All Martyrs (1), St Thomas Halliwell (1), Walmsley (2), St James, Daisy Hill (2), SS Simon and St Jude (3), SS Peter and Paul (1), St Ethelbert (1) St William of York (1).

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