Classes bursting at the seams

More than 300 of Rochdale’s primary school children are taught in classes of at least 36 pupils, according to Government figures.

They show the borough’s average primary class sizes are among the highest in the North West.

Almost 2,800 of Rochdale’s five to 11-year-olds are taught in classes of more than 30 with just one teacher.

There is also one class of at least 41 pupils taken by more than one teacher.

Rochdale’s average primary class size of 27.3 pupils with one teacher is the third highest in the North West although the 29.2 pupils with more than one teacher is lower than the North West average. They compare with the national figures of 26.2 and 28.8 respectively.

There are no Government limits for junior and secondary class sizes, but infant classes for five to seven-year-olds are limited to 30 pupils per teacher.

Rochdale has five infant classes which are “unlawfully large”. They have not been named.