New research by the School Cuts coalition of unions (NEU,
NAHT, ASCL, UNISON, GMB and Unite) shows that class sizes are
rising in the majority of secondary schools in England as a
result of the Government’s underfunding of
education.
There is a particular problem in secondary schools because
of a shortfall of £500m a year to funding for 11 – 16 year olds,
between 2015/16 and 2019/20, plus the deep cuts to sixth form
funding (over 17% per pupil since 2010).
62% of secondary schools in England have increased the size
of their classes in the last two years (2014/15 to 2016/17). In
some authorities this has had a dramatic effect. In York,
secondary schools have an average of three more students in every
class.
It is also striking that the five areas with the largest
secondary school classes have all seen an increase in the last
two years – Barnsley, Rutland, Thurrock, Newham and Leicester.
This shows the Government is failing in its stated aim to even
out the differences in education.
Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association
of School and College Leaders, said: “We
have repeatedly warned that schools have had to increase class
sizes because of funding pressures and here is yet more evidence
that this is the case. It is the last thing they want to do but
they have no other choice because they have to reduce staffing
numbers and that inevitably affects the teacher-to-pupil ratio.
Larger classes mean less individual support for students, and put
more pressure on teachers at a time when we desperately need to
reduce workload.”
Karen Leonard, GMB National
Officer, said: “As class sizes
increase and targeted professional support by teaching assistants
and other support staff is cut, once again it is the pupils who
lose out. If we don't stop these cuts, we run the risk of lessons
reverting to a Victorian 'one size fits all model where any child
with additional needs, gifts or talents or just needing a bit of
extra support simply won't get it. Talent will be wasted,
additional needs will not meet and a generation of children will
not have the opportunity and support to reach their
potential.”
Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of school leaders'
union NAHT, said: “The government's own
figures show that an extra 654,000 school places will be needed
in England by 2026, to meet the nine per cent rise in pupil
population. 91 per cent of schools face real-terms budget cuts
compared to 2015/16 at a time when costs are rising and pupil
numbers are growing. Not only that but the cuts to front-line
classroom posts combined with a rise in pupil-to-classroom
teacher ratios, mean bigger classes and less individual attention
for children.”
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the
National Education Union, said: “Time
and again we are hearing about the consequences of the
Government’s inadequate funding of our schools and 6th form
colleges. Larger class sizes means less individual attention for
children. Our children and young people deserve an education that
is properly funded and resourced. For many it is their only
chance of an education and it cannot be ruined by Ministers who
believe starving schools of cash is either acceptable or
workable.”
Jon Richards, UNISON head of
education, said: “It’s a sorry
situation when rising class sizes are happening in sync with cuts
to school support staff. Fewer support staff means more work for
already hard-pressed teachers. Over the past five years,
secondary schools have seen a 10% cut in school technicians and
an 8% cut in teaching assistants. This is a double whammy
for vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils, who can face greater
challenges in larger classes and for whom support staff are a
lifeline.”
Gail Cartmail, Assistant General Secretary at
Unite, said: “The education and wellbeing
of future generations is being harmed by cuts to school budgets.
Schools across the country are being forced to cut staff, leading
to less educational support for children and bigger class sizes.
The Government should be investing in our schools to give young
people the best start in life and the best chance possible to
fulfil their potential.”
Editor’s note:
All the data is available at http://bit.ly/school_cuts_data
The data is drawn from Schools, pupils and their
characteristics: January 2015 and Schools, pupils and their
characteristics: January 2017.
