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Primary Education: Class Sizes

Volume 457: debated on Monday 5 March 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of pupils of primary school age in England are in classes in maintained schools of (a) fewer than 20, (b) 20 to 24, (c) 25 to 28, (d) 29 to 30, (e) 31 to 35, (f) 36 to 40 and (g) greater than 40; and if he will make a statement. (121813)

The available information is given in the table.

Maintained primary schools1: Classes taught by one teacher2—as at January 2006—England

Classes taught by one teacher

Key Stage 1 classes3

Key Stage 2 classes

Classes in maintained primary schools

Classes of size:

Number of pupils

Percentage of pupils

Number of pupils

Percentage of pupils

Number of pupils

Percentage of pupils

Less than 20 pupils

88,350

6.3

59,880

3.0

199,290

5.3

20 to 24 pupils

278,030

19.9

264,390

13.4

632,960

16.8

25 to 28 pupils

453,150

32.5

578,600

29.4

1,163,740

30.8

29 to 30 pupils

546,560

39.2

588,050

29.9

1,204,590

31.9

31 to 35 pupils

26,930

1.9

450,570

22.9

522,270

13.8

36 to 40 pupils

790

0.1

26,210

1.3

42,410

1.1

Greater than 40 pupils

360

0.0

710

0.0

8,680

0.2

Total

1,394,160

100.0

1,968,400

100.0

3,773,930

100.0

1 Includes middle schools as deemed.

2 Classes as taught during a single selected period on the day of the census in January.

3 Includes reception classes.

Note:

Pupil numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.

Source:

School Census

Some 10.6 per cent. of pupils in large classes in maintained primary schools were engaged in activities such as PE or games or music, singing and drama.

Decisions about class sizes post Key Stage 1 are a matter for schools, and there are a number of factors that will influence this. Schools are best placed to know what works well for them and is in pupils' best interests. Instances of large classes may well be because schools are being more imaginative about how they organise lessons, making the best use of all school staff. In some subjects having a larger class with an experienced teacher supported by one or more trained teaching assistants can offer real advantages to pupils, enhancing rather than hindering their learning.