§ Mr. Aitkenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the current pupil-teacher ratio in primary and secondary schools in the Thanet area; and how this compares with the national average;
(2) how many primary school classes in the Thanet area contain more than 35 children; and how this compares with the national average;
(3) how many secondary school classes in the Thanet area contain more than 30 children; and how this companies with the national average.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonThe information requested is not compiled on a district basis by my Department. In January 1976, the latest date for which the information is available, the figures for the county of Kent as a whole and for England and Wales, were as follows:
Maintained Schools Kent England and Wales Pupil-teacher ratios— Primary 25.5 23.9 Secondary 18.2 17.0 Primary classes* with more than 35 pupils— (a) Number 515 21,068 (b) As percentage of all classes. 10.6 12.6 Secondary classes† with more than 30 pupils— (c) Number 631 27,780 (d) As percentage of all classes. 13.2 16.3 * Classes as registered. † Classes as taught.