§ Mr. WaldenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the average class sizes in primary and secondary education in state and private schools, respectively, in the years 1979, 1984 and 1988.
§ Mr. ButcherInformation on average class sizes in private schools is not collected centrally. The average class size in maintained primary and secondary schools in England in January of each year 1979, 1984 and 1988 is as follows:
Class sizes relate to those taught by one teacher during a selected period on the day of the census count in January and do not necessarily represent the pattern of classes over the academic year as a whole.
Average size of class January of each year 1979 1984 1988 Primary 25.9 24.7 25.4 Secondary 210 20.4 19.9