Nearly 400 Norfolk school children in unlawfully large classes

5.22.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Sep 2009

Latest figures from the Department for Children, Schools and Families reveal that Norfolk has one of the highest number of infant school-children in unlawfully large classes in England.

378 school-children at infant schools in Norfolk are being taught in classes of over 30. Only three other authorities in England have more infant school pupils in classes over 30 (Kent, Essex and Manchester).

Labour came to power in 1997 with a pledge to keep infant class sizes to fewer than 30 children.

Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, is calling for extra funding for schools to keep infant class sizes down to 15 in line with private school class sizes. Mr Wright said:

"Small class sizes allow teachers to give more time and attention to children as they're starting their education. It's really important that children get the best possible start at school which would be helped by reducing infant class sizes.

"It's shocking to learn that in Norfolk, we have hundreds of young children in unlawful classes. Labour has failed to keep to its own pledge to keep infant class sizes to below 30 and we must have more ambition from the Government now to tackle class sizes.

"The Government should make it a priority to give schools extra cash to cut infant classes to private school levels of 15 children."