§ 50. Mr. Ronald Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the standards laid down as regards pupil-teacher ratios and ancillary help for ESN(S) schools.
§ Mr. ArmstrongPupil-teacher ratios and standards for ancillary help for ESN(S) schools are not prescribed by regulation. The Department's Circular 4/73 recommended that the work of special schools should be organised in flexible teaching groups of sizes varying according to the severity of handicap and to the activity. In day schools for ESN(S) children a teaching group of not more than 10 was considered generally suitable. The circular stressed the importance of adequate numbers of ancillary staff and suggested that, with very severely handicapped children, it might be desirable to have as many ancillary staff as teachers.