§ 49. Mr. Yeoasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will issue guidance to local education authorities about the number of pupils needed for a primary school to be able to provide a high standard of education.
§ Mr. DunnCircular 2/81 on falling rolls and surplus places pointed out to Local Education Authorities the educational problems associated with primary schools which because of their size could not avoid classes of 25 pupils or more with substantial numbers from two or more age groups. It is difficult to go further since the number of pupils is not the only nor necessarily the most important factor in the standard of education provided. The quality of the teachers, the professional support available to them, and the nature of parental and local community involvement with the school all have at least as important an influence on the standards of education achieved.