HC Deb 22 November 1928 vol 222 cc1903-4
21. Mr. R. RICHARDSON

asked the President of the Board of Education how many classes in public elementary schools in England and Wales on 31st March, 1925, 31st March, 1926, 31st March, 1927, and 31st March, 1928, respectively, contained more than 50 children; how many such classes on those dates contained more than 40 but not more than 50 children; and how many such classes on those dates contained more than 30 but not more than 40 children?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Lord Eustace Percy)

As the answer to the hon. Member's question is statistical, I will, with his permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. R. SMITH

Can the Noble Lord give the number of classes containing over 50 pupils?

Lord E. PERCY

There were 21,332 in 1925 and 16,686 in 1928.

Following is the answer:

NUMBER OF CLASSES with more than 30 children on Registers in Public Elementary Schools maintained by Local Education Authorities in England and Wales.

— Over 30, but not over 40. Over 40, but not over 50. Over 50.
31st March, 1925. 41,278 43,323 21,332
31st March, 1926. 43,442 42,848 19,969
31st March, 1927. 43,586 43,062 20,201
31st March, 1928. 44,686 45,602 16,686
22. Mr. R. RICHARDSON

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in a number of infant departments in London County Council elementary schools, including the Franciscan Road School, the Shillington Street School, the Page's Walk School, and the Brecknock School, the teaching staff has been reduced in order to bring up classes to an average of 50 or 51 pupils on the roll per teacher; and is it the Board's policy that, where classes in junior departments have less than 50 pupils, they shall be brought up to this standard?

Lord E. PERCY

No, Sir; the policy of the London County Council is based upon what is generally known as the "40–48" agreement, made by them with the Board in 1912 and renewed in 1924. This agreement, which is resulting in substantially improved conditions, both in junior and senior classes, must be taken as a whole, and I agree with my predecessor that it would be undesirable for the Board to disturb it.

Mr. RICHARDSON

Can the Noble Lord tell me the percentages over the Board's figures for junior and senior schools?

Lord E. PERCY

The 10–48 scheme is that the junior classes should not exceed 48 and that the senior classes should not exceed 40.