HC Deb 08 February 2001 vol 362 c692W
29. Mr. Jack

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class size is for secondary schools in England. [147936]

Ms Estelle Morris

The size of the average secondary class in January 1997 was 21.7. The most recent available figure, for January 2000, was 22—around five fewer pupils on average than for primaries. The slight rise is nothing new. The figure was below 20 in 1989, and rose consistently throughout the 90s. The rate of growth has in fact slowed since 1997 as a result of additional Government investment.

We are delivering our infant class size pledge, including in Lancashire. In the authority in September 2000, just 16 per cent. of pupils were in infant classes of 31 or over. The figure in January 1997 was over 42 per cent.