HC Deb 28 July 1955 vol 544 cc169-70W
10. Mr. Short

asked the Minister of Education how many primary and secondary pupils, respectively, were being taught in over-size classes, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on 1st July in each of the years 1952, 1953, and 1954.

Sir D. Eccles

The following is the information:

NUMBERS OF CHILDREN IN OVER-SIZE CLASSES IN MAINTAINED AND ASSISTED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS (EXCLUDING NURSERY AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS) IN THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE
Year (January) Juniors Classes with 41 or more pupils Seniors Classes with 31 or more pupils
1952 … … 12,647 10,074
1953 … … 13,335 7,970
1954 … … 14,069 6,701

Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education what is his estimate of the additional number of teachers now required to enable classes to be reduced, in primary schools to a maximum size of 40 pupils per class, and in secondary schools to a maximum of 30 per class.

Sir D. Eccles

I have made no estimate of this kind because it would depend on many arbitrary assumptions. No increase in the number of teachers would by itself suffice to bring about the reduction suggested in the Question.