Class Sizes
Following an international fact-finding tour, in 2000 the former Head of School, Mr Phillip Heath, introduced a policy objective to progressively reduce class sizes at St Andrew's.
Educational research in the United States has shown that smaller classes positively contribute to better learning outcomes for the majority of students. Leading US independent schools have significantly higher staffing levels than equivalent Australian schools with class sizes of around 12 to15 students. In many instances face-to-face teaching roles are supplemented with additional classroom resource personnel.
St Andrew's has continued to progressively implement smaller classes, notwithstanding the financial pressure to resource other School operations in the last three years, notably the acquisition of new teaching space and the refurbishment of existing facilities. Additional staff also mean higher operating costs.
Some secondary classes at St Andrew's currently comprise up to 24 students although many senior classes are significantly smaller in certain subjects. Junior School classes comprise around 20 students although some younger Junior School classes total 16 to 18 students. Such class sizes are more than comparable with other leading non-government schools. They are significantly smaller than overall education standards in most Australian schools.
The School's smaller class size goal follows world best-practice standards for secondary education in Australia. Education research indicates smaller classes facilitate improved learning, there is a better teacher appreciation of students' individual learning styles and closer interchange can be achieved between students and their teacher.
Educationalists also note that the general learning environment, class discipline and, importantly, the competency, enthusiasm and professionalism of the teacher all combine to contribute to improved learning outcomes.
Smaller classes are achieved by appointing additional teaching staff or resource personnel and by careful curriculum and timetable planning to provide the range of subject choices for individual students. Currently St Andrew's employs 120 full time teaching staff, the highest staffing level in the School's history. The School's student to staff ratio is 16:1.
