Overcrowded classes ‘double’ under coalition

The party said with 373 oversized classes, up from 167 three years ago, there are now 11,740 children in their early years of primary school being taught in classes of more than 30 compared with 5,240 in 2010.

It says the figures mean more pupils are being taught in over-crowded classes in Yorkshire than anywhere else in England. The opposition also warns that many parts of the region are in the grip of a primary school places crisis.

Last week the Yorkshire Post revealed more than 15,000 extra primary school places could be needed across eight council areas in the region by 2016/17.

According to the Local Government Association the primary school age population age in Leeds is predicted to rise above 69,000 – more than 4,000 over than current capacity in schools.

Labour highlighted Leeds and Kirklees as areas where demand is expected to exceed the number of places. The party’s warnings on class sizes are based on their analysis of Department for Education figures.

They also warn that the number of full-time equivalent teachers in Yorkshire has dropped by more than 500 from January 2010 to November 2012. Using this measure they say the number has dropped from 44,728 to 44,159.

Stephen Twigg MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, said: “In 2010, David Cameron promised smaller schools and smaller class sizes. Three years on, the reality couldn’t be more different. This out of touch Government is failing in its first duty in education: to provide a proper school place for every child.”

A party spokesman added: “The incoming Labour Government in 1997 inherited a picture nationally of close to 30 per cent of all key stage one classes having over 30 pupils by the time the party had left office it was down to 1.8 per cent. So it is a serious concern that much of that work has been so quickly allowed to unravel under David Cameron and Michael Gove.”

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “Less than three per cent of infant classes across the country have more pupils than the limit of 30. Children are only permitted to join classes of 30 pupils in exceptional cases, if for instance they are in care or from military families. Moving these children after a year from classes where they have become settled can have a detrimental impact on their education. Classes often fall back naturally to 30 over a year or two.”

On the drop in the number of teachers in Yorkshire she added: “Teaching is an attractive profession. More top graduates and professionals than ever before are coming into teaching and vacancy rates are now at their lowest since 2005.” The figures have been revealed as the Education Select Committee announced it is to hold a one-off hearing into the issue of school places next month.

The committee, which is chaired by Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart, will question Schools Minister David Laws on Wednesday, October 23.

A spokeswoman said MPs will question Mr Laws about the current and future availability of school places in England, including differences between the regions; the factors affecting the number of places available and the ability of the Government, local authorities and others to respond to the increased demand.

Last week Leeds City Council voted to go ahead with a £44m plan to expand 22 schools adding up to 660 places.

The authority is warning that it still faces a massive funding gap to meet the £77m it needs to deal with the looming crisis brought on by the city’s booming birth rate.

Yesterday Sheffield Council announced that it is to consult on new proposals to provide extra school places to meet increasing demand in five areas of the city – Wybourn, Greystones, Crosspool, Firth Park and Tinsley.