§ Mr. GrocottTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the percentage change in average class size and the total number of pupils in nursery, primary and secondary education since 1979.
§ Mr. ButcherThe information requested is given for maintained schools in England in the table. Class sizes relate to those taught by one teacher during a selected period on the day of the census count in January. They do not necessarily represent the pattern of classes over the academic year as a whole. The average class size in maintained nursery schools is not available centrally.
Percentage January each year 1979 1988 Change Average size of class taught by one teacher Primary1 25.9 25.4 -1.9 Secondary1 21.0 19.9 -5.2 Total pupils on roll in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools (Thousands)1 8,438.9 6,965.0 -17.5 1 Includes middle schools as deemed.