Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 October 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 November 1999. It was answered by Baroness Morris of Yardley (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 November 1999 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many pupils were taught in classes of 41 or more in nursery classes (a) on 1st May 1997 and (b) according to the most recent figures available. - Including figures and table.

Answer: Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils were taught in classes of 41 or more in nursery classes (a) on 1 May 1997 and (b) according to the most recent figures available. [94927] Ms Estelle Morris: The information requested for May 1997 is not available. In 1999, there were a total of 309 pupils in nursery classes of 41 or more where the Annual School Census reported there was one teacher and no other adult. In all cases, they were involved in activities such as PE, games, drama, music, watching TV or listening to the radio. There were no cases of normal nursery classes with a single teacher in charge of more than 40 pupils. The information in the following table sets out the child:adult ratio for all nursery classes with one teacher for 1997, 1998 and 1999. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Child:adult ratio for all nursery classes with one teacher 1997 11.4 1998 11.3 1999 11.3 _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Secondary information