HC Deb 02 May 1989 vol 152 cc71-2W
17. Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to reduce the number of children in state schools taught in classes of 30 or more.

29. Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to reduce the number of children in state schools taught in classes of 30 or more.

37. Mr. Stott

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to reduce the number of children in state schools taught in classes of 30 or more.

Mr. Butcher

Over the last 10 years the proportion of pupils taught in classes of 31 or more has fallen by nearly 12 percentage points in primary schools to 23.5 per cent., and by nearly 9 percentage points in secondary schools to 7 per cent. There are more teachers relative to pupils now than ever before. It is for LEAs and schools to decide how to deploy them.