HC Deb 31 July 1997 vol 299 cc498-9W
Dr. Iddon

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bolton, West (Ms Kelly), of 18 June,nOfficial Report, column 193–4, what factors underlie the maximum class size of 60 for the Bolton, South-East constituency. [12004]

Mr. Byers

The information derives from classes as taught during a single selected period on the census date in January. This can include some unusually large classes. Classes can include nursery as well as infant classes, classes engaged in activities such as physical education, games, drama, music, singing, watching television or listening to a radio programme, and classes supported by one or more members of the non-teaching staff of the school. Class sizes can be affected by one or more of these factors.

The class of 60 pupils taught by one teacher in the Bolton, South-East constituency was a nursery class. The teacher was supported by four nursery assistants.