Statistics released today (Thursday 29 June 2017) by the
Department for Education show that class sizes are rising in
secondary schools (see Figure 1).
Commenting on the statistics, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of
the Association of School and College Leaders, said:
“These statistics show that average class sizes are rising in
secondary schools, and so too are the number of classes with 31
or more pupils. This reflects our own findings in a recent survey in
which 80% of respondents said their school has had to increase
class sizes as a result of the education funding crisis.
“Funding cuts have led to increased class sizes because
schools have had to reduce staff numbers and reorganise classes
among fewer teachers. Larger classes are more difficult to
manage, mean an increased workload on staff, and make it harder
to provide feedback and support to pupils.
“It is some relief that class sizes in primaries have
remained stable this year, having increased prior to that, but
the trend in secondaries is worrying.
“It was clear from the General Election campaign that parents
are deeply concerned about the underfunding of education. These
statistics provide yet more evidence of the pressing need for the
government to make a greater investment in the future of our
young people.
“Without that investment we are likely to see class sizes
rise further, as well as more cuts to courses, activities and
student support services.”
Figure 1: State-funded secondary schools: Classes as taught, as
at January each year
|
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
|
Average class size
|
20.1
|
20.4
|
20.8
|
|
% of classes with 31-35 pupils
|
5.7
|
6.2
|
7.1
|
|
Total number of pupils
|
2,952,735
|
2,963,360
|
2,994,795
|
|
Total number of classes
|
146,546
|
145,397
|
143,788
|
Source: Table 6b. Schools, pupils and their
characteristics: January 2017. Department for Education 29
June 2017.
