Primary and Secondary Schools

HC Deb 09 March 1981 vol 1000 cc235-6W

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average size of class in primary and in secondary schools, respectively, in Northern Ireland; and how this compares with primary and secondary schools in England, Wales and Scotland.

Mr. John Patten

The average size of classes in schools in the Northern Ireland maintained sector in January 1980 was as follows:

Primary

26.5

Secondary

20.1

I understand that the latest comparative figures for England, Wales and Scotland are:

	England (Provisional Jan. 80)	Scotland (Sept. 79)	Wales (Sept. 79)
Primary	25.7	23.9	24.2
Secondary	21.6	19.1	23.5