HC Deb 24 June 1976 vol 913 c624W
Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the teacher/pupil ratio in Gloucestershire in 1976; what it was in 1975, 1974 and 1973; and what he estimates it will be in 1977;

(2) how many teachers were employed in Gloucestershire in 1975, 1974 and 1973; what is the figure for 1976; and what is the proposed figure for 1977.

Miss Margaret Jackson

The figures in respect of maintained primary and secondary schools in the area currently administered by the Gloucestershire local education authority are as follows:

Number of qualified teachers employed (full-time equivalents) Pupil-teacher ratio
January
1973 … 3,964 21.7
1974 … 4,142 21–6
1975 … 4,304 21.0
1976 … 4,400* N.A.
* Provisional estimate.
N.A. | Not available.

Although 1976 pupil-teacher ratios are not yet available for individual authorities, estimates for England and Wales as a whole show some improvement over 1975. The Department's Circular 15/75 recommended that authorities hold staffing standards constant in 1976–77.