§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance she gives to(a) schools and (b) local education authorities on the course of action to be adopted where it appears necessary for infants to be taught in classes of more than 30 pupils. [15384]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 16 November 2001]: Since September 2001 schools and local education authorities have been responsible for ensuring that infant classes for 5, 6 and 7 year olds are limited to 30 or fewer except where permitted by legislation.
How schools organise their classes is a matter for agreement between the LEA and the schools. The Department has issued no guidance to LEAs or schools on how classes which exceed the limit for permitted reasons should be organised.