Why Small Class Sizes Matter: The Research Behind Personalised Education

When parents compare schools, class size often comes up. But it's sometimes dismissed as a nice-to-have rather than a genuine educational advantage. The research tells a different story.

What the Research Says

The most significant study on class size is the Tennessee STAR experiment, which followed over 11,000 students across 79 schools for four years. The findings were striking: students in smaller classes (13–17 students) significantly outperformed their peers in larger classes (22–26 students) in reading, maths, and science. The benefits were even more pronounced for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

More recent research has reinforced these findings. A 2023 meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Educational Research found that reducing class size from 25 to 15 was associated with measurable improvements in academic achievement, student engagement, and emotional wellbeing.

But the numbers alone don't capture why smaller classes work. The real difference is in what becomes possible when a teacher has fewer students.

Teachers Can Actually See Every Child

In a class of 30, a teacher might spend two minutes of individual attention per child in a 60-minute lesson. In a class of 16, that doubles — and the nature of the attention changes entirely.

In a small class, the teacher notices when a child is confused but too shy to ask for help. They see when a student has already understood the concept and needs a harder challenge. They catch the early signs of frustration, disengagement, or social difficulty before they become problems.

This isn't just about academic performance. It's about a child feeling known. When children feel seen by their teacher, they're more likely to take risks, ask questions, and engage deeply with their learning.

More Participation, Less Hiding

In larger classes, it's easy for quiet children to disappear. They sit at the back, avoid eye contact, and go through the motions without ever truly engaging. Research from the University of Cambridge found that in classes of 15 or fewer, every student speaks at least once per lesson — compared to only 60% in classes above 25.

This matters enormously for language development, confidence, and critical thinking. Children learn to articulate their thoughts by practising, not by listening to a teacher talk. In a small class, there's simply no place to hide — and that's a good thing.

Behaviour Improves Naturally

Teachers in smaller classes spend significantly less time on discipline and classroom management. When children feel engaged and personally connected to their teacher, disruptive behaviour drops. The classroom becomes calmer, more focused, and more productive for everyone.

This is particularly important for younger children (ages 5–8) who are still developing self-regulation skills, and for children who are new to a school or learning in a second language.

Personalised Learning Becomes Real

Every school talks about "personalised learning," but in a class of 30, it's largely aspirational. In a class of 16, it becomes practical. Teachers can genuinely differentiate — adjusting the pace, difficulty, and approach for each student without losing the rest of the class.

At AIM School, our classes have a maximum of 16 students. This means our teachers don't just know every child's name — they know how each child learns, what motivates them, where they struggle, and what they're ready for next. When we say learning is personal, it's not a slogan. It's a structural reality of having 16 students instead of 30.

The Cost Question

Smaller classes cost more to run. That's the practical reality, and it's why class size is often the first thing that distinguishes a school's fees. But if you think of education as an investment in your child's development, the question becomes: what is the value of a teacher who knows your child deeply?

For many families, the answer is clear.

Want to see what a class of 16 looks like in practice? Book a visit to AIM School and spend a morning in our classrooms.