HC Deb 28 March 2001 vol 365 cc683-4W
Mr. Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class sizes for Key Stages(a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 were in (i) 1992, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 2001 in the St. Ives constituency. [155744]

Ms Estelle Morris

The available information is shown in the table. Information on class sizes by parliamentary constituency is not available prior to 1997. The January class size data for the academic year 2000–01 are currently being analysed and provisional national estimates are expected to be published in April.

Average class size—St. Ives parliamentary constituency
January September
1997 2000 2000
Key Stage 1 25.8 24.3 21.8
Number of pupils in Key Stage 1 classes of size 31 or more 978 701 34
Key Stage 2 27.9 29.4 n/a
Pupils aged mainly under 14 in maintained secondary schools 24.8 26.4 n/a

Note:

Classes taught by one teacher

January 2000 saw a fall in the size of the average junior class in England; and a continuing fall in the size of the average primary class, after rising for a decade. The size of the average secondary class nationally, at 22.0, is still five below the average primary class. In 2001–02 secondary headteachers will receive an average of £70,000 and primary headteachers £24,000 in direct grant to spend as they choose, including on reducing class sizes if that is their priority.

Sandra Gidley

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class size was for Key Stage(a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 in (i) 1992, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 2001 in the Romsey constituency. [155852]

Ms Estelle Morris

The available information is shown in the table. Information on class sizes by parliamentary constituency is not available prior to 1997. The January class size data for the academic year 2000–01 are currently being analysed and provisional national estimates are expected to be published in April.

Average class size—Romsey parliamentary constituency
January September
1997 2000 2000
Key Stage 1 27.7 27.0 24.5
Number of pupils in Key Stage 1 classes of size 31 or more 1,080 487 129
Key Stage 2 27.6 29.2 n/a
Pupils aged mainly under 14 in maintained secondary schools 22.7 23.7 n/a

Note:

Classes taught by one teacher

January 2000 saw a fall in the size the average junior class in England; and a continuing fall in the size of the average primary class, after rising for a decade. The size of the average secondary class nationally, at 22.0, is still five below the average primary class. In 2001–02 secondary headteachers will receive an average of £70,000 and primary headteachers £2 4,000 in direct grant to spend as they choose, including on reducing class sizes if that is their priority.