Class Sizes: Coronavirus

(asked on 8th October 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect on class sizes of school staff absence as a result of covid-19.


Answered by
Nick Gibb Portrait
Nick Gibb
This question was answered on 16th October 2020

On 2 July, we published guidance to help schools prepare for all pupils, in all year groups, to return to school full-time from the beginning of the autumn term. The guidance can be viewed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.

Ensuring that pupils, staff and other adults do not come into the school if they COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive in at least the last 10 days, and ensuring anyone developing those symptoms during the school day is sent home, are essential actions to reduce the risk in schools and further drive down transmission of COVID-19.

Schools can continue to use supply teachers and other supply staff during this period as required. Schools may also need to alter the way in which they deploy their staff and use existing staff more flexibly.

Legislation in England limits infant class sizes to a maximum of 30 children per school teacher. There is no statutory limit for class sizes for older primary and secondary pupils. The organisation of classes is for the school to decide, based on local needs and circumstances.

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