Schools cuts leave almost 1m pupils in large classes

SOME 961,127 pupils are now in classes of 31 or more in schools in England – a surge of 31% since 2010.

One in three teachers say reducing class sizes should be a top priority for the next government.

They have increased in 474 out of 533 parliamentary constituencies since the Tories took

WARNING Mary Bousted power. The analysis by the National Education Union shows 63,566 pupils are in classes of 36 or more, up 42%.

And there has been a 258% rise in secondary pupils in classes of 36 or more children, to 21,843.

NEU joint general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said: “Pupils are experiencing the inevitable result of Government policies which have conspired to put a squeeze on schools. The funding crisis has had catastrophic effects, including

a direct impact on class size.”