§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class sizes were in Essex(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools on (i) 1 May 1997 and (ii) the latest date for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures for the Mid-Essex area. [116028]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 27 March 2000]: The information is not available in the form requested. The available information on average class size in maintained primary and secondary schools for January and September is shown in the tables.
The latest class size count was carried out in September for infant classes and found further reductions in the percentage of pupils in infant classes of over 30 in the local education authority areas of Essex, Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea. Between September 1998 and September 1999, the percentage of pupils in classes of 31 or more fell from 20 per cent. to 13 per cent. in Essex, 21 per cent. to 10 per cent. in Southend-on-Sea and from 15 per cent. to 11 per cent. in Thurrock. Information for September 1998 and September 1999 was published in separate Statistical First Releases entitled "Infant Class Sizes in England" on 4 March 1999 (99/99) and 21 January (2/2000), respectively. Copies of both releases are available in the Library.
The class size count for January 2000 is currently being undertaken and provisional national estimates are expected to be published in a Statistical First Release in April.
Average size of classes taught by one teacher in maintained primary and secondary schools in Essex, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock and England: 1997–99 Position as at January 1999 1998 1997 Essex1 Primary 3— 27.6 27.3 Secondary 3— 21.7 21.7 Essex2 Primary 27.7 3— 3— Secondary 21.6 3— 3— Southend-on-Sea2 Primary 28.4 3— 3— Secondary 20.9 3— 3— Thurrock2 Primary 27.5 3— 3— Secondary 23.7 3— 3— England Primary 27.4 27.7 27.5 Secondary 21.9 21.7 21.7 1 Before local government re-organisation in April 1998 2 After local government re-organisation in April 1998 3 Not applicable
Average size of infant classes taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools in Essex, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock and England: 1998–99 Position as at September 1999 1998 Essex 24.7 25.2 Southend-on-Sea 26.1 25.8 Thurrock 24.1 24.9 England 24.9 25.7