Emma Reynolds, Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East and Shadow Housing Minister, has today voiced concern about the growing size of infant school classes in Wolverhampton.Emma spoke as the House of Commons today discussed class sizes, after Labour secured a debate on the issue. The debate comes after the Department for Education published figures in June showing the increase in infant class sizes across the country.

In the last four years, the number of infants, aged 4-7, being taught in large classes of over 30 pupils has increased dramatically in the city, by 1513%. This is because, in 2012, David Cameron’s government relaxed the rules on infant class sizes. This is despite the Conservatives promising in their 2010 manifesto to “create small schools with smaller class sizes.”

David Cameron’s free school programme has also diverted funding away from areas of need. According to a National Audit Office report published in December last year, two thirds of all of the places created by the programme have been created outside of areas classified as having high or severe primary school need, showing the government has the wrong priorities.

Emma said “Under the last Labour government, only 62 infants in Wolverhampton were being taught in class sizes of over 30. But now that number has grown to 1000. That is a 15 fold increase.

“Under David Cameron, parents are much more likely to find that their children are being taught in larger classes. I am worried about the impact that these larger class sizes will have. It is clear that children do better in smaller classes, whereas larger class sizes can lead to lower levels of attainment.

“David Cameron needs to urgently adjust his priorities in education. Michael Gove may have gone as Education Secretary, but David Cameron is still continuing with the same wrong policies.”

September 2014