HC Deb 21 March 2001 vol 365 cc263-4W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each primary

school in Shrewsbury and Atcham the number of classes containing over 30 pupils on (a) 1 May 1997 and (b) the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [15,1701]

Ms Estelle Morris

Information on class sizes at individual schools is not normally published. However, in January 1997 20.1 per cent. of Key Stage 1 classes in Shrewsbury and Atcham had 31 or more pupils. By September 2000 the figure was zero. In January 1997 42 per cent. of the Key Stage 2 classes in the constituency had 31 or more pupils. By January 2000 the figure had dropped to 25.7 per cent. The size of the average Key Stage 2 class in the constituency fell over this period from 28.7 to 27.3.

We are delivering our infant class size pledge, including in Shropshire. The local education authority has received £3.6 million to support the initiative, and had met the 30 limit in full as early as September 2000. At the same time, the size of the average Key Stage 2 class in the Authority fell from 29.1 in January 1997 to 28.3 in January 2000. Primary headteachers will receive an average £24,000 in direct funding in 2001–02 to spend as they choose—including on reducing class sizes further if that is a priority.