Over 6,000 primary school children are taught in classes of over 30 in Northamptonshire

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Oct 2006

New government statistics reveal that more than half a million primary school pupils in England are being taught in classes with more than 30 children.

In Northamptonshire the figures for primary school children in class of more than thirty pupils are 6,477 which is 12.3% of the primary school population of 52,594.

Commenting on this Liberal Democrat Education Spokesman on Northamptonshire County Council, Cllr. John Yates said: "When the Conservatives took control of Northamptonshire County Council they promised "A smaller and more enabling council" - this clearly does not extend to primary school class sizes. It is a given fact that children learn and achieve more in smaller classes. It should be a priority of the council to work with schools to reduce class sizes to under thirty."

Cllr, Andrew Simpson, Prospective Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North said: "These figures show quite how badly the Government has failed to get the basics right. It is an utter embarrassment that a decade after Tony Blair personally pledged that education-education-education- would be his priority so many of our children are crammed into crowded classrooms. Large class sizes harm standards, affect discipline and are a major barrier to improving schools."

"All research in this area shows that for younger children, especially those who struggle in school, smaller classes are vital. Parents who can afford to opt for private education know that, because a main motivation for them has always been smaller class sizes."

Figures show mixed results for neighbouring authorities:

Luton: 1,349 pupils (8.2%) Liberal Democrat controlled

Bedfordshire: 2,149 pupils (9.6%) Conservative controlled

Milton Keynes: 2,040 pupils (10.2%) Liberal Democrat

Peterborough: 1,718 pupils (11.9%) Conservative

Oxfordshire: 6,365 pupils (14.7%) Conservative

Buckinghamshire: 5,606 pupils (15.4%) Conservative

Leicestershire 8,453 pupils (18.6%) Conservative