In their 2010 manifesto, the Conservative Party promised to create “small schools with smaller class sizes” and David Cameron has said “the more we can get class sizes down the better”. But the reality is the Choice on education facing the country next May, is a choice between five more years of standards being threatened under the Tories, or a Labour future of high standards for all and the right priorities in education.
“The number of infants taught in large classes of over-30 has increased since 2010”, says Bridgwater and West Somerset PPC Cllr Mick Lerry. “Parents whose children begin school this year, need to ask the question as to how many children are in the classroom? The number of infants in large classes over 30 has increased by 25% in Somerset since 2010. On current trends, another five years of the Tories’ wrong priorities in planning for school places could lead to one in four infants being taught in large class sizes of over 30 by 2020”.
The more we can get class sizes down the better
On the Conservative’s record on class sizes and standards, Labour Shadow Spokesman Tristram Hunt said:“In 2008 David Cameron said “the more we can get class sizes down the better”, but as parents and pupils prepare to begin the new school year, there are real concerns about the number of children in classes of more than 30 infants under the Tories.
“By diverting resources away from areas in desperate need of more primary school places in favour of pursuing his pet project of expensive Free Schools in areas where there is no shortage of places, David Cameron has created classes of more than 40, 50, 60 and even 70 pupils.
“Labour will end the Free Schools programme and instead focus spending on areas in need of extra school places.”
“The Choice on education is clear: the threat of ever more children crammed in to large class sizes under the Tories or a Labour future where we transform standards with reforms that will deliver a world class teacher in every classroom, the right priorities for planning school places and local oversight of schools, and with high quality technical and vocational education at the heart of our plans to transform education and maximise the talents of all young people, so that all are able to play their part in renewing Britain.”
Cllr. Mick Lerry – Leader of the Labour Group on Sedgemoor District Council
Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Bridgwater and West Somerset Constituency
Mobile: 07775 905080
Email: michael.lerry@btinternet.com