§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many primary schools in Castle Point had class sizes of 30 or above in each of the last three years. [75470]
§ Mr. MilibandFigures for January 2002 show that there were 19 maintained primary schools in Castle Point parliamentary constituency with classes of 30 pupils or more. The corresponding figures for 2000 and 2001 were 19 and 21, respectively.
The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 placed a duty on Local Education Authorities and schools to ensure that infant classes for 5, 6 and 7 year olds taught by one qualified teacher are limited to no more than 30 pupils per class by September 2001 at the latest. The legislation does allow the limit of 30 to be exceeded in certain circumstances.
Figures related to the pledge for Castle Point parliamentary constituency show there were no classes of 31 or more pupils in 2002. In 2001 there was one class, and in 2000 there were 9 classes, of 31 or more pupils.