§ Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will break down the pupil-teacher ratio given in table 3.12.4 of the public expenditure White Paper between primary and secondary schools.
§ Mr. DunnPupil-teacher ratios within maintained primary and secondary schools in England each year from 1982 to 1986 are given in the table. These figures differ from the overall pupil-teacher ratios given in table 3.12.4 of the public expenditure White Paper as they include qualified teachers only and exclude teachers employed by LEAs who were not in schools on the census day. Projections for future years are not available. The Government's expenditure plans assume a continuing improvement in the overall pupil-teacher ratio up to 1990 in order to give effect to their policies for the schools. The plans do not consider how this improvement might be reflected in pupil-teacher ratios within the primary and secondary sectors. The Government look to local authorities and schools to take advantage of the improved overall pupil-teacher ratio by employing teaching staff to the greatest benefit of the pupils.
January each year Pupil/teacher ratios within schools Primary Secondary 1982 22.5 16.6 1983 22.3 16.5 1984 22.1 16.2 1985 22.2 16.1 1986 22.1 15.9