Since 2007, real progress has been made in reducing class sizes. In addition to achieving the highest ever proportion of children in P1-P3 in classes of 18 or fewer or in two teacher classes with a pupil teacher ratio of 18 or less, we introduced regulations with effect from August 2011, which reduced the class size maximum in all P1 classes from 30 to 25. The 2011 School Census highlights that 99% of all P1 pupils are now in classes of 25 or fewer; that there has been a dramatic 96% reduction in the number of pupils in P1 classes with more than 25 pupils and also that the average P1 class size of 20.5 is a record low.
Smaller classes allow enhanced levels of pupil/teacher interaction which, in turn, contributes to giving Scotland’s young people better life chances by increasing their attainment and realising their ambition. Local government has undertaken to maintain teacher numbers in line with pupil numbers, and we will be working with them to help deliver this, before continuing with more progressive reductions in class sizes and improved pupil teacher ratios. In so doing, the Scottish Government will support initiatives such as nurture groups which are showing good results for many pupils.
We also have plans to bring together the complex guidance and legislation on class sizes to deliver a coherent system in Scotland’s schools to support progressive reductions in the youngest years.