§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how average class sizes have varied in the last 20 years in England. [171314]
§ Mr. MilibandA table showing how class sizes have changed over the last 20 years has been placed in the House of Commons Library. This shows an overall rise in the size of primary school classes between 1984, when the average class contained 25 pupils, to a peak in 1998 of 27.8. Primary class sizes have fallen steadily from 1999 to 2004, with the average class now containing 26.3 pupils.
The average secondary class contained 20.9 pupils in 1984, peaking in 2000 at 22.2, and falling to 21.8 in 2004.
§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in Wirral, South were taught in classes of more than 30 pupils on the latest date for which figures are available. [173627]
§ Mr. Miliband[holding answer 14 May 2004]: Tables giving the requested class size information for all parliamentary constituencies have been placed in the House of Commons Library. Final figures for 2003 and the latest provisional figures for 2004 have been provided. Further details on the 2004 provisional figures on class sizes by local education authority can be found on http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000457/index.shtml.