Cutting class sizes 'must be priority' after election

Some schools are still "hideously overcrowded" with more than 30 pupils to a class, according to the National Union of Teachers (NUT).

Their poll of 714 teachers found almost six in 10 (59 per cent) believe reducing class sizes should be among the highest priorities for the next Government.

In 1997 Labour pledged in their manifesto there would be no Key Stage 1 class (five to seven-year-olds) with more than 30 children in it.

NUT general secretary Christine Blower said while they cannot not say Labour has not fulfilled their pledge, this was never enough.

Ms Blower said the NUT's aim for was classes of 20 by 2020 to give children "the best opportunity."