HC Deb 02 July 2001 vol 371 c37W
Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the pupil to teacher ratio was in secondary schools(a) in 1997 and (b) in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [1611]

Mr. Timms

The information requested is shown in the table.

The ratio has improved for the first time in 10 years, following the increases in funding we have made for schools: funding per pupil since 1997–98 has increased by an average of £540 in real terms.

Pupil:teacher ratio in maintained secondary schools
Position in January each year Pupil:teacher ratio
20011 17.1
2000 17.2
1999 17.0
1998 16.9
1997 16.7
1Provisional