More than 12,000 primary pupils in classes of over 30

EDUCATION UNIONS CALL FOR MORE GOVERNMENT FUNDING

A TOTAL of 12,153 children in Key Stage 1 and 2 in Derbyshire 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 per cent) is being taught in a large class, compared to 17.8 per cent a year before.

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.

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”.

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 children admitted outside of the normal process, including those with special needs, children of service personnel or those where there are no places at any other schools nearby.

There were no unlawful classes in Derbyshire in 2022.

Commenting on national figures, the joint general secretary of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, 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 40-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 per cent from 494,675 pupils in January 2021.

There were also 438,101 secondary school pupils in classes of 31 or more. That was up by 4.7 per cent from 418,353.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “As any teacher or school leader will tell you, it is very difficult to give pupils the individual attention and support they need when class sizes become too large.

“We know that class sizes are a key priority for parents too.”

It is very difficult to give pupils the individual attention and support they need when class sizes become too large