§ 29. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how many the total number of pupils in state primary and secondary schools has fallen in the last three years; and what are the comparative figures of average expenditure per pupil and pupil/teacher ratio.
§ Dr. BoysonThe information requested for the latest three years available is as follows:
Maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England January of each year 1979 1980 1981 Nursery and primary schools Numbers of pupils (thousands) Total* 4,476 4,317 4,130 Change from previous year* -126 -159 -187 Pupil/teacher ratio with schools† 23.1 22.7 22.6 Average expenditure per pupil‡ £525 £545 £550 Secondary schools Numbers of pupils (thousands) Total 3,872 3,866 3,840 Change from previous year +21 -6 -26 Pupil/teacher ratio within schools† 16.7 16.6 16.6 Average expenditure per pupil‡ £761 £772 £771 * Including each part-time pupil as 0.5 † Qualified teachers only. ‡ Cash expenditure at 1980–81.