12k primar y school pupils in big classes
NEARLY 12,200 primary school children in Derbyshire are being taught in classes of more than 30, data has shown.
Unions have warned large class sizes mean a squeeze on individual attention for pupils but across the county 12,153 children in Key Stage 1 and 2 were being taught in classes of more than 30 pupils in January of this year, according to the latest figures from the Department for Education.
However, that was 1,210 fewer pupils in large classes than in January 2021
This still means one in six primary age pupils in Derbyshire (16.4%) is being taught in a large class, compared to 17.8% a year before.
Nationally, the number of primary school pupils in large classes rose in 2022 compared to the year before after a general downward trend in recent years. Education unions said more Government investment is needed, “so that every family can be certain of a great education, in a great school, with great teachers”.
Legislation limiting class sizes to 30 pupils or less only applies to Key Stage 1. In Derbyshire, 653 children at this level were being taught in classes of more than 30, down from 845 in 2021
However, while legislation aims to prevent infant classes from exceeding 30 pupils, schools can get exceptions for some pupils. These include children admitted on appeal, twins and pupils admitted outside of the normal admission process, including those with special needs.
There were no unlawful classes in Derbyshire in 2022.
Commenting on national figures, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary, National Education Union, said: “The number of pupils in oversized classes, more than 30 pupils, has risen this year to 933,000. The number of secondary pupils has hit a forty year high at 438,000. The pupil: teacher ratio has risen again.
“This inevitably puts a squeeze on individual attention for pupils. It is also further evidence that school funding is too low and some schools are having to teach their pupils in unacceptably large classes.”
Across England, there were 494,675 pupils in primary schools being taught in classes of 31 or more in January 2022. This was up 2.6% from 494,675 pupils in January 2021.