Three-quarters of teachers say their class sizes are getting
bigger and the overwhelming majority believe the sizes of their
classes are having a negative impact on pupils’ progress,
attainment and behaviour.
A survey of over 3,000 teachers by the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union
found that 91% believe their class sizes are having a negative
impact on pupils’ progress and attainment and 90% feel they are
having a negative impact on pupil behaviour.
95% say class sizes are having a negative impact on their ability
to meet the needs of all pupils and 78% feel class sizes are
having a negative impact on the adequate provision of learning
resources for pupils.
Of the 75% who said their class sizes have increased, 37% said
they had increased significantly.
The survey findings are being released as representatives at the
NASUWT’s Annual Conference in Birmingham prepare to debate a
motion today calling for governments and administrations across
the UK to introduce maximum class sizes in all key stages.
When asked what factors had influenced the size of their classes,
over two-thirds (67%) cited an increase in the number of pupils
on roll, 40% said cuts to staff numbers and a further 40% said
budget cuts or financial pressures.
Only 21% of teachers said the size of their classroom or teaching
area was always adequate for the subjects they teach.
Over two-thirds (67%) think the size of their classroom has had
an impact on increasing transmission of Covid-19 among their
pupils.
Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:
“Increases in class size numbers are having a detrimental impact
on both the learning experiences of pupils and the health and
safety of teachers and students.
“Large class sizes are also contributing to increased teacher
workloads, reducing teachers’ ability to provide pupils with the
individual support they need.
“The damaging impact of increased pupil numbers in classes has
been further exposed during the pandemic, creating the perfect
conditions for the transmission of Covid-19.
“This situation once again exposes the failure of government
oversight over the last decade in relation to pupil place
planning or in guaranteeing the additional investment needed to
increase teacher numbers.
“Children and their teachers deserve better.”
