Commenting on Labour Party analysis into increased class sizes,
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National
Education Union, said:
"The Labour Party is right to highlight this important issue. The
proportion of pupils in outsized secondary classes is at its
highest point in the last 40 years with 1 million children being
taught in classes of more than 30. Class sizes have risen fastest
in schools that teach the most deprived pupils. The historic
practice of teaching poorer pupils in slightly smaller classes
has ceased over the last five years due to funding cuts.
'This has a detrimental impact on children and young people's
education. Clearly with such large numbers in any one class
teachers and support staff have a far harder job in ensuring
every child gets the attention they need.
'Much of this problem has been caused by the failure of
Government to address the shortfall in school places that has
been an issue for many years. The lack of sufficient school and
college funding has exacerbated this problem with many schools
having to cut the number of staff to balance the books.
Government needs to address this problem to ensure every child
gets the best education they possibly can. Having a teacher and
support staff dividing themselves between 30 plus children is not
acceptable."
