THOUSANDS of Bolton children could end up being taught in mixed age groups as schools act to meet Government targets on class sizes. Parents may also have a struggle to get their child into the school of their choice amid a scramble for places in smaller classes. The plans are bound to cause uproar among Bolton mums and dads who will fear that older children will be held back in their studies in mixed age group classes.

Parents threatened to keep their children away from school when there were plans to introduce it at Longsight County Primary School, Harwood last year.

The system is already standard in some Bolton primary schools and Bolton's education authority has warned that it could become more widespread. Now union leaders are stressing the need for "very careful consideration" before any decision is made.

Council education bosses admit that, as they aim towards smaller infant class sizes, problems could arise when parents don't get their child into the school of their choice.

A working party of headteachers and council officers has been created to help introduce the changes as smoothly as possible.

Margaret Blenkinsop, director of education, said: "With careful planning by teachers and using national curriculum programmes of study, children should be working appropriately at their own stage.

"We welcome the fact that class sizes will be reduced because it means teachers will be able to give individuals more of their time.

"The difficulty will come in relation to parents not getting the school of their choice. That could be a problem in Bolton." Nick Kokkinis, principal officer for the National Union of Teachers in the North-west, said there should be discussions with teachers, parents and governors.

He added: "It's true to say the vast majority of parents, rightly or wrongly, do express a concern that their child will be held back."

It was revealed last week that almost 12,000 of the borough's primary children are being taught in overcrowded classes.

But cutting classes down to 30 to meet Government targets is causing particular headaches for schools in Bolton.

The traditional intake for primaries has always been in multiples of 35 or more children and parents will be unhappy if the number of pupils allowed into popular schools is cut. Also, it is estimated that schools which choose to reduce their numbers will be forced to lay off two teachers within seven years because of a loss of income of more than £1,200 per child.

The solution for many schools will be to re-organise and bring in mixed year classes.

A Bolton education spokesman said: "The authority, in collaboration with all schools, is looking carefully at an infant class size reduction plan.

"As part of this we would expect to see an increase in the number of mixed age classes but these will be smaller. All the proposals will be subject to consultation with parents."

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