Industry News
'State schools' illegal crowded classrooms'
Posted on 28th September 2007
State schools are failing thousands of children aged five to seven by teaching them in illegally overcrowded classes, it has been reported.
The recently released annual census of state schools revealed more than 4,000 key stage 1 pupils are being taught in oversized classes, the Independent has revealed.
It reports this is an improvement on 2006 when more than 7,000 children were in illegal classes.
General secretary of the National Union of Teachers Steve Sinnott told the newspaper parents who had chosen to send their children to private schools understood the importance of smaller class size.
Earlier this week he welcomed the prime minister's promise to deliver more one-to-one teaching as it would allow state school pupils to enjoy the benefits experienced by those at private school.
Schools minister Lord Adonis said smaller class sizes were "vital" to allow children to thrive in school and that the general trend had been "encouraging", with many class sizes falling or remaining stable.
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