§ 19. Miss KirkbrideTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the average size of secondary school classes in(a) 1998 and (b) 1999. [109149]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe most recent figures show that in January 1999 the average secondary class had 21.9 pupils. The corresponding figure for January 1998 was 21.7. January 1999 saw the first fall in overall average class size for 10 years, from 24.9 in January 1998 to 24.8.
§ 35. Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on class sizes in primary and secondary schools since May 1997. [109166]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisBetween January 1998 and January 1999 the size of the average primary school class in England fell from 27.7 to 27.4, the first fall in 10 years. Average classes in secondary schools are much lower than in primary schools. The most recent figures show that in January 1999 the average secondary class had 21.9 pupils. The corresponding figure for January 1998 was 21.7. January 1999 also saw the first fall in overall average class size for 10 years, from 24.9 in January 1998 to 24.8.