HC Deb 07 July 1987 vol 119 cc107-8W
28. Mr. Amess

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current teacher-pupil ratio in Basildon; and what is the teacher-pupil ratio for children assessed as having special learning disabilities.

Mr. Dunn

Information for areas within local education authorities is not available centrally. Pupil-teacher ratios specific to the education of children with statements in maintained primary and secondary schools are not collected. In January 1986 the pupil-teacher ratios in maintained, primary, secondary and special schools in Essex were as follows:

January 1986 Pupil-teacher ratios
Primary schools1 23.9
Secondary schools1 17.0
Special schools2 7.4
1 Includes middle schools as deemed.
2 Maintained and non-maintained special schools—includes hospital special schools.

The pupil-teacher ratio in special schools covers all children in those schools who are in need of special education whether by reason of emotional or physical disability.

33. Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, what is the current pupil-teacher ratio in primary and secondary schools; and how these figures compare with those for eight years ago.

Mr. Dunn

The pupil-teacher ratios in maintained primary and secondary schools in England in January 1986, the latest date for which figures are available, and in January 1979 were as follows:

January each year
1979 1986
1Primary schools 23.1 22.1
1Secondary schools 16.7 15.9
1 Includes middle schools as deemed.