§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what action her Department is taking in relation to infant classes of 31 or more. [18527]
§ John Healey[holding answer 27 November 2001]: Since this September infant classes for five, six and seven-year-olds have been limited to no more than 30 children, except in a few limited circumstances permitted by the class size legislation.
Figures published on 15 November 2001 showed that in September 2001 99.9 per cent. of infant classes had 30 or fewer pupils in them, or exceeded the limit for reasons permitted by the relevant legislation. Sixty-eight classes, just 0.1 per cent. of the total, appeared to be in breach of the limit. We are following these up with the local education authorities concerned to agree ways in which they can meet the limit.