§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average class size in state sector education in(a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) the United Kingdom for the most recent year for which he has figures. [4589]
396W
§ Mr. ByersThe available information on average class sizes is shown in the table.
Average class sizes1,2: 1995–96 One teacher classes Primary Secondary Primary All classes3 Secondary United Kingdom 4— 4— 27.0 521.6 England 27.3 21.7 27.5 21.9 Wales 4— 4— 25.9 20.2 Scotland 4— 4— 24.8 19.5 Northern Ireland 24.1 4— 24.1 — 1Data on class sizes was collected at different times of the academic year in the different countries: January 1996 for England and Wales, September 1995 for Scotland and October 1995 for Northern Ireland. 2In Northern Ireland, for data collection purposes, a class is defined as a group of pupils normally in the charge of one teacher. 3"All classes" figures include classes where more than one teacher may be present. 4Not available. 5Great Britain only.