Technical annex: lawfully and unlawfully large infant class sizes - SFR16/2015
Source: data.gov.uk (2017-07-26)

Schools, pupils and their characteristics: January 2015. Published by the Department for Education based on information collected in the January 2015 school census, including information on the number of schools and pupils. It covers all types of school in England including: - local-authority-maintained schools - academies - free schools - studio schools - university technical colleges - independent schools The technical note explains the statistics. Information for London Borough of Barnet can be obtained by carrying out a search query on individual datasets.

Technical Annex 
Infant Class Sizes – lawfully and unlawfully large 
classes: January 2015 
 
Date 11 June 2015 
Coverage England 
Theme Children, Education and Skills 
Issued by Department for Education, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BT 
Press office xx-xxxx-xxxx 
Public enquiries 0370 000 2288 
Statistician Rob Drake 
Phone xx-xxxx-xxxx 
Email xxx@xxx.xx  
Internet Statistics: school and pupil numbers 
 
1. Introduction 
Statistics on the numbers of pupils in infant classes are published annually each June in the 
statistical first release “Schools, pupils and their characteristics”. These statistics are produced 
using data collected from local authorities and schools as a part of the January school census. 
What do we count as an infant class? 
Our statistics cover classes listed on the school census as either containing reception year or 
key stage 1 pupils and one teacher. Our statistics cover ordinary teaching sessions and classes 
with no teachers, or more than one teacher, are not included. 
The legislation applies only to classes where the majority of pupils will attain the age of five, six 
or seven during the course of the school year. Therefore mixed classes are not included, for 
example mixes of nursery and reception pupils, or key stage 1 and 2 pupils.  
In this note, any infant class containing more than 30 pupils is termed a ‘large infant class’. 
The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 limits the size of an infant class to 30 pupils 
per school teacher. An infant class is one in which the majority of children will reach the age 
of 5, 6 or 7 during the school year i.e. reception, year 1 and year 2.  
The School Admissions (Infant Class Sizes) (England) Regulations 2012 prescribe certain 
limited circumstances in which pupils may be admitted as lawful exceptions to the infant class 
size limit of 30 for one-teacher classes. This means that a class of, for example, 32 pupils is 

SFR 16/2015: Infant Class Sizes – Lawful and Unlawful Classes Technical Annex 
 
Page 2 of 10 
lawful if two or more of those pupils have been admitted under lawful exceptions. If fewer 
than two have been admitted as lawful exceptions then the class is termed ‘unlawful’.  
Since 2010, there has been an increasing primary pupil population and there has been an 
associated increase in the number of infant classes from 53,887 in 2010 to 59,214 in 2015. In 
some areas, this has led to infant class sizes larger than the statutory size of 30; the number of 
infant classes larger than 30 rose from 995 in 2010 to 3,324 in 2015.   
Since 2006, the department has published figures on large infant class sizes, net of exempted 
pupils, as a data series called “Unlawful infant classes”, following a review of the presentation 
of infant class size statistics. The figures enable users of the statistics to understand how many, 
and what proportion, of the total number of large infant classes are defined as unlawful or 
lawful and how many pupils are in those classes. 
In March 2015, the UK statistics authority confirmed that future publications of unlawful 
infant class size statistics should not be designated as National Statistics, pending further 
improvements and a future-reassessment by the Authority. The rationale behind this de-
designation can be found in part 2 of this annex. 
The unlawfully large class size statistics are a small part of the broader set of school class size 
statistics. The class size statistics which are unaffected by this issue and which retain National 
Statistics status are: 
average infant class sizes; 
number of infant classes of sizes 1-30, 31 or more; 
number of infant pupils in classes of size 1-30, 31 or more; 
number of infant pupils in classes of 31 or more with ‘excepted activity’; and 
all class size statistics for key stage 2 and the split by primary/secondary schools 
These statistics can be found in the main text of this statistical first release. This technical 
annex contains the statistics on unlawful infant classes which have been de-designated as 
National Statistics, and cannot be published under the UKSA National Statistics kite mark.

SFR 16/2015: Infant Class Sizes – Lawful and Unlawful Classes Technical Annex 
 
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Table A1: State-funded schools: Key stage 1 classes in England (1) – January each year 2006 to 2015  
  
  
  
  
  
2006 
  
2007 
  
2008 
  
2009 
  
2010 
  
2011 
  
2012 
  
2013 
  
2014 
  
2015 
  
  
  
  
  
State-funded primary schools (2) 
  
All state-funded 
schools 
KEY STAGE 1 CLASSES (3) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Large infant classes (classes of 31 or more 
pupils) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Percentage of all classes 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
of which: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Lawfully large classes with 'excepted' 
pupils (5) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Number of classes 
  
510 
  
590 
  
530 
  
612 
  
857 
  
1,061 
  
1,301 
  
2,074 
  
2,436 
  
3,085 
  
3,100 
  
  
  
Percentage of all classes 
  
0.9 
  
1.1 
  
1.0 
  
1.1 
  
1.6 
  
1.9 
  
2.3 
  
3.7 
  
4.2 
  
5.2 
  
5.2 
  
  
Unlawfully large classes (4) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Number of classes 
  
240 
  
130 
  
200 
  
276 
  
138 
  
311 
  
207 
  
225 
  
549 
  
139 
  
140 
  
  
  
Percentage of all classes 
  
0.4 
  
0.2 
  
0.4 
  
0.5 
  
0.3 
  
0.6 
  
0.4 
  
0.4 
  
0.9 
  
0.2 
  
0.2 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Percentage of all pupils 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
of which in: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Lawfully large classes with 'excepted' 
pupils (5) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Number of pupils 
  
16,08
0 
  
18,51
0 
  
16,43
0 
  
19,13
0 
  
26,79
5 
  
33,13
5 
  
40,69
0 
  
64,81
5 
  
76,07
5 
  
96,39
0 
  
96,865 
  
  
  
Percentage of all pupils 
  
1.2 
  
1.4 
  
1.2 
  
1.4 
  
1.9 
  
2.2 
  
2.7 
  
4.2 
  
4.8 
  
5.9 
  
5.9 
  
  
Unlawfully large classes (4) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Number of pupils 
  
7,780 
  
4,280 
  
6,380 
  
8,835 
  
4,475 
  
9,935 
  
6,595 
  
7,125 
  
17,27
0 
  
4,375 
  
4,410 
  
  
  
Percentage of all pupils 
  
0.6 
  
0.3 
  
0.5 
  
0.6 
  
0.3 
  
0.7 
  
0.4 
  
0.5 
  
1.1 
  
0.3 
  
0.3 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Source: School 
Census 
1. One teacher classes as taught during a single selected period in each school on the day of the census in January. Key stage as recorded by the school, classes with missing key stage information are not included unless they 
are reception year group classes (key stage 1 classes only). 
2. Includes middle schools as deemed. Includes all primary academies, including free schools. 
 
 
3. Includes reception classes. 
 
4. Classes of 31 or more, excluding those large classes engaged in an excepted activity.  
5. Includes only those classes where there are pupils who have been admitted as exceptions making the class size within the legal limit of 30 pupils or less. 
6. From 2007 a revision to the guidance issued to schools means that information on classes engaged in an excepted activity should not be provided (information should be provided on the next ordinary teaching session).  
7. Includes all pupils in large classes, including those with excepted activity.  
Pupil numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown. 

SFR 16/2015: Infant Class Sizes – Lawful and Unlawful Classes Technical Annex 
 
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Table A2: State-funded schools: Key stage 1: One teacher classes and excepted pupils in England (1,2) – January 
2015  
  
  
  
State-funded 
primary schools 
(3) 
All state-funded 
schools 
  
  
  
  
  
Total number of lawfully large classes with excepted pupils 
3,085 
3,100 
  
  
  
  
  
Total number of lawfully large classes engaged in an excepted activity (4) 
0 
0 
  
  
  
  
  
Total number of unlawfully large classes (4)(5)(6) 
139 
140 
Number of excepted pupils (7) 
  
  
  
admitted outside normal admissions round with statements of special educational needs specifying a school 
245 
250 
  
looked after or previously looked after admitted outside normal admission round 
421 
426 
  
admitted, after initial allocation of places, because of a procedural error made by the admission authority or local 
authority in the original application process 
252 
252 
  
admitted after an independent appeals panel upholds an appeal 
1,036 
1,046 
  
who move into the area outside the normal admissions round for whom there is no other available school within 
reasonable distance (the Local Authority has to confirm that the child qualifies under this category)  
1,444 
1,447 
  
who are children of UK service personnel admitted outside the normal admissions round 
84 
84 
  
whose twin or sibling from a multiple birth is admitted otherwise than as an excepted pupil 
185 
187 
  
with special educational needs who are normally taught in an special educational needs unit attached to the school, 
or registered at a special school, who attend some infant classes within the mainstream school 
243 
243 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Source: School 
Census 
1. One teacher classes as taught during a single selected period in each school on the day of the census in January. Key stage as recorded by the school, classes with missing key stage information are not 
included unless they are reception year group classes. 
2. Includes reception classes.  
3. Includes middle schools as deemed. Includes all primary academies, including free schools. 
4. A revision to the guidance issued to schools means that information on classes engaged in an excepted activity should not be provided (information should be provided on the next ordinary teaching 
session).  
5. Infant classes with 31 or more pupils without excepted pupils and not engaged in excepted activity.  
6. May include some classes with excepted pupils but the class size still exceeds the legal limit of 30 pupils or less. 
7. These figures can include excepted pupils that are in a class that remains unlawfully large after excepted pupils are taken into account. The presentation of these figures has been altered slightly this year 
to improve their interpretation, but the numbers presented for state-funded primary schools are consistent with those published in 2014. 

SFR 16/2015: Infant Class Sizes – Lawful and Unlawful Classes Technical Annex 
 
Page 5 of 10 
Table 3: State-funded primary schools (1,2): Classes as 
taught by key stage (1,2) – January 2015 by local authority 
area and region in England  
LA Code 
  
Classes taught by 1 teacher 
Key stage 1 (4) 
Lawfully large 
classes with 
excepted pupils 
Lawfully large 
classes with 
excepted activity 
Unlawfully large 
classes 
No. of 
No. of 
No. of 
No. of 
No. of 
No. of 
  
pupils 
classes 
pupils 
classes 
pupils 
classes 
  
  
ENGLAND (5) 
96,389 
3,085 
0 
0 
4,375 
139 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NORTH EAST (5) 
3,184 
102 
0 
0 
94 
3 
E06000005 
841 
Darlington 
157 
5 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000047 
840 
Durham 
346 
11 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000020 
390 
Gateshead 
403 
13 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000001 
805 
Hartlepool 
187 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000002 
806 
Middlesbrough 
94 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000021 
391 
Newcastle upon Tyne 
690 
22 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000022 
392 
North Tyneside 
311 
10 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000048 
929 
Northumberland 
248 
8 
0 
0 
32 
1 
E06000003 
807 
Redcar and Cleveland 
0 
0 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E08000023 
393 
South Tyneside 
190 
6 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E06000004 
808 
Stockton-on-Tees 
279 
9 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000024 
394 
Sunderland 
279 
9 
0 
0 
0 
0 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NORTH WEST (5) 
16,392 
524 
0 
0 
157 
5 
E06000008 
889 
Blackburn with Darwen 
95 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000009 
890 
Blackpool 
31 
1 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E08000001 
350 
Bolton 
373 
12 
0 
0 
32 
1 
E08000002 
351 
Bury 
632 
20 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000049 
895 
Cheshire East 
563 
18 
0 
0 
63 
2 
E06000050 
896 
Cheshire West and Chester 
343 
11 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000006 
909 
Cumbria 
249 
8 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000006 
876 
Halton 
32 
1 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E08000011 
340 
Knowsley 
93 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000017 
888 
Lancashire 
1,185 
38 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000012 
341 
Liverpool 
1,030 
33 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000003 
352 
Manchester 
1,062 
34 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000004 
353 
Oldham 
2,307 
74 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000005 
354 
Rochdale 
155 
5 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000006 
355 
Salford 
511 
16 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000014 
343 
Sefton 
561 
18 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000013 
342 
St. Helens 
280 
9 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000007 
356 
Stockport 
1,345 
43 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000008 
357 
Tameside 
2,618 
83 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000009 
358 
Trafford 
560 
18 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000007 
877 
Warrington 
809 
26 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000010 
359 
Wigan 
1,060 
34 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000015 
344 
Wirral 
498 
16 
0 
0 
0 
0 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER 
(5) 
15,481 
494 
0 
0 
760 
24 
E08000016 
370 
Barnsley 
417 
13 
0 
0 
34 
1 
E08000032 
380 
Bradford 
4,815 
154 
0 
0 
252 
8 
E08000033 
381 
Calderdale 
468 
15 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E08000017 
371 
Doncaster 
250 
8 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E06000011 
811 
East Riding of Yorkshire 
880 
28 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000010 
810 
Kingston Upon Hull, City of 
548 
17 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000034 
382 
Kirklees 
1,220 
39 
0 
0 
35 
1 
E08000035 
383 
Leeds 
2,567 
82 
0 
0 
32 
1 

SFR 16/2015: Infant Class Sizes – Lawful and Unlawful Classes Technical Annex 
 
Page 6 of 10 
E06000012 
812 
North East Lincolnshire 
315 
10 
0 
0 
93 
3 
E06000013 
813 
North Lincolnshire 
219 
7 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000023 
815 
North Yorkshire 
818 
26 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000018 
372 
Rotherham 
500 
16 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E08000019 
373 
Sheffield 
1,184 
38 
0 
0 
157 
5 
E08000036 
384 
Wakefield 
870 
28 
0 
0 
64 
2 
E06000014 
816 
York 
410 
13 
0 
0 
0 
0 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
EAST MIDLANDS (5) 
10,464 
335 
0 
0 
190 
6 
E06000015 
831 
Derby 
190 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000007 
830 
Derbyshire 
628 
20 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000016 
856 
Leicester 
4,530 
146 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000018 
855 
Leicestershire 
2,724 
86 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E10000019 
925 
Lincolnshire 
248 
8 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000021 
928 
Northamptonshire 
838 
27 
0 
0 
126 
4 
E06000018 
892 
Nottingham 
124 
4 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000024 
891 
Nottinghamshire 
1,182 
38 
0 
0 
33 
1 
E06000017 
857 
Rutland 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
WEST MIDLANDS (5) 
10,706 
342 
0 
0 
537 
17 
E08000025 
330 
Birmingham 
1,662 
53 
0 
0 
94 
3 
E08000026 
331 
Coventry 
217 
7 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000027 
332 
Dudley 
186 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000019 
884 
Herefordshire 
248 
8 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000028 
333 
Sandwell 
2,027 
65 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000051 
893 
Shropshire 
187 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000029 
334 
Solihull 
719 
23 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000028 
860 
Staffordshire 
1,027 
33 
0 
0 
255 
8 
E06000021 
861 
Stoke-on-Trent 
1,013 
32 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000020 
894 
Telford and Wrekin 
251 
8 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E08000030 
335 
Walsall 
439 
14 
0 
0 
32 
1 
E10000031 
937 
Warwickshire 
855 
27 
0 
0 
124 
4 
E08000031 
336 
Wolverhampton 
1,501 
48 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000034 
885 
Worcestershire 
374 
12 
0 
0 
32 
1 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
EAST OF ENGLAND (5) 
8,808 
282 
0 
0 
530 
17 
E06000055 
822 
Bedford 
63 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000056 
823 
Central Bedfordshire 
157 
5 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E10000003 
873 
Cambridgeshire 
1,343 
43 
0 
0 
34 
1 
E10000012 
881 
Essex 
3,055 
98 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000015 
919 
Hertfordshire 
1,212 
39 
0 
0 
124 
4 
E06000032 
821 
Luton 
31 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000020 
926 
Norfolk 
1,283 
41 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000031 
874 
Peterborough 
158 
5 
0 
0 
248 
8 
E06000033 
882 
Southend-on-Sea 
537 
17 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000029 
935 
Suffolk 
658 
21 
0 
0 
93 
3 
E06000034 
883 
Thurrock 
311 
10 
0 
0 
0 
0 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
LONDON (5) 
11,867 
381 
0 
0 
1,162 
37 
  
  
INNER LONDON (5) 
1,529 
49 
0 
0 
411 
13 
E09000007 
202 
Camden 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000001 
201 
City of London 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000012 
204 
Hackney 
186 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000013 
205 
Hammersmith and Fulham 
217 
7 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000014 
309 
Haringey 
155 
5 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000019 
206 
Islington 
63 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000020 
207 
Kensington and Chelsea 
93 
3 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E09000022 
208 
Lambeth 
94 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000023 
209 
Lewisham 
218 
7 
0 
0 
156 
5 
E09000025 
316 
Newham 
0 
0 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E09000028 
210 
Southwark 
345 
11 
0 
0 
34 
1 
E09000030 
211 
Tower Hamlets 
0 
0 
0 
0 
66 
2 
E09000032 
212 
Wandsworth 
158 
5 
0 
0 
31 
1 

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E09000033 
213 
Westminster 
0 
0 
0 
0 
62 
2 
  
  
OUTER LONDON (5) 
10,338 
332 
0 
0 
751 
24 
E09000002 
301 
Barking and Dagenham 
158 
5 
0 
0 
62 
2 
E09000003 
302 
Barnet 
1,645 
53 
0 
0 
63 
2 
E09000004 
303 
Bexley 
93 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000005 
304 
Brent 
500 
16 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000006 
305 
Bromley 
683 
22 
0 
0 
127 
4 
E09000008 
306 
Croydon 
250 
8 
0 
0 
187 
6 
E09000009 
307 
Ealing 
250 
8 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000010 
308 
Enfield 
280 
9 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000011 
203 
Greenwich 
468 
15 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000015 
310 
Harrow 
1,772 
57 
0 
0 
62 
2 
E09000016 
311 
Havering 
593 
19 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000017 
312 
Hillingdon 
465 
15 
0 
0 
125 
4 
E09000018 
313 
Hounslow 
189 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000021 
314 
Kingston upon Thames 
496 
16 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000024 
315 
Merton 
62 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000026 
317 
Redbridge 
992 
32 
0 
0 
94 
3 
E09000027 
318 
Richmond upon Thames 
652 
21 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000029 
319 
Sutton 
94 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E09000031 
320 
Waltham Forest 
696 
22 
0 
0 
31 
1 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
SOUTH EAST (5) 
13,500 
433 
0 
0 
475 
15 
E06000036 
867 
Bracknell Forest 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000043 
846 
Brighton and Hove 
249 
8 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000002 
825 
Buckinghamshire 
777 
25 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000011 
845 
East Sussex 
1,969 
63 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E10000014 
850 
Hampshire 
2,016 
65 
0 
0 
97 
3 
E06000046 
921 
Isle of Wight 
192 
6 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E10000016 
886 
Kent 
3,273 
105 
0 
0 
127 
4 
E06000035 
887 
Medway 
124 
4 
0 
0 
65 
2 
E06000042 
826 
Milton Keynes 
560 
18 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E10000025 
931 
Oxfordshire 
345 
11 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E06000044 
851 
Portsmouth 
217 
7 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E06000038 
870 
Reading 
218 
7 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000039 
871 
Slough 
94 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000045 
852 
Southampton 
217 
7 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000030 
936 
Surrey 
1,222 
39 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000037 
869 
West Berkshire 
125 
4 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E10000032 
938 
West Sussex 
1,493 
48 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000040 
868 
Windsor and Maidenhead 
316 
10 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000041 
872 
Wokingham 
93 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
SOUTH WEST (5) 
5,987 
192 
0 
0 
470 
15 
E06000022 
800 
Bath and North East Somerset 
124 
4 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000028 
837 
Bournemouth 
186 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000023 
801 
Bristol, City of 
251 
8 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000052 
908 
Cornwall 
686 
22 
0 
0 
94 
3 
E10000008 
878 
Devon 
559 
18 
0 
0 
62 
2 
E10000009 
835 
Dorset 
436 
14 
0 
0 
64 
2 
E10000013 
916 
Gloucestershire 
1,151 
37 
0 
0 
62 
2 
E06000053 
420 
Isles of Scilly 
  
  
  
  
  
  
E06000024 
802 
North Somerset 
124 
4 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000026 
879 
Plymouth 
626 
20 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000029 
836 
Poole 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E10000027 
933 
Somerset 
664 
21 
0 
0 
0 
0 
E06000025 
803 
South Gloucestershire 
62 
2 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E06000030 
866 
Swindon 
155 
5 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E06000027 
880 
Torbay 
93 
3 
0 
0 
31 
1 
E06000054 
865 
Wiltshire 
870 
28 
0 
0 
95 
3 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Source: School Census 
1. Includes middle/all through schools as deemed. 

SFR 16/2015: Infant Class Sizes – Lawful and Unlawful Classes Technical Annex 
 
Page 8 of 10 
2. Includes all primary academies, including free schools. 
3. Classes as taught during a single selected period in each school on the day of the census in January. 
4. Includes reception classes. 
5. National, regional and totals of pupil numbers across all classes have been rounded to the nearest 5.  
There may be discrepancies between totals and the sum of constituent parts. 
 . Not applicable 
 
 

SFR 16/2015: Infant Class Sizes – Lawful and Unlawful Classes Technical Annex 
 
Page 9 of 10 
2. Concerns over unlawful infant class size data quality 
Following publication of the infant class size statistics in June 2014 some users, including local 
authorities, raised concerns about the number of unlawful infant classes. Further analysis of 
the number of unlawfully large infant classes showed that nine local authority areas had 
reported substantial increases since the previous year.  
The department contacted these local authorities and all indicated that they believed that at 
least some of the data submitted from their authority was inaccurate. In some instances lawful 
exceptions applied but this had not been indicated during the data collection (by providing 
the number of pupils under each of the statutory exception reasons where appropriate).  
Under the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, published statistics must satisfy quality 
dimensions including accuracy, comparability, coherence and meeting user need.  Our 
concern over the accuracy of the statistics led us to withdraw statistics on unlawful/lawful 
infant classes in July 2014 pending further investigation with the local authorities and schools 
that had provided data indicating they had unlawfully large infant classes. We advertised the 
removal of these statistics on gov.uk and in a revised version of the statistical release to 
highlight this change to users. 
Following the further investigation with local authorities, the department’s Head of 
Profession for Statistics concluded that the statistics on unlawfully (and lawfully) large infant 
classes were not fit-for-purpose and wrote to the UK Statistics Authority recommending that 
they should be de-designated as National Statistics and removed from the main statistical first 
release. He also set out an Action Plan for improving the quality of these statistics so they can 
be re-assessed for National Statistics status by the UK Statistics Authority as soon as possible. 
This action plan is detailed in the Technical Note to the Schools, Pupils and their 
Characteristics: January 2014 statistical first release. The remaining data on infant classes is 
unaffected and remains in the publication which retains National Statistics status. 
 
3. Got a query? Like to give feedback? 
If from the media 
Press Office News Desk, Department for Education, Sanctuary 
Buildings, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BT. xx-xxxx-xxxx 
If non-media 
Infrastructure and Funding Directorate Analysis Division, Level 4, 
Department for Education, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, 
London, SW1P 3BT.  
xxx@xxx.xx 
 
 

SFR 16/2015: Infant Class Sizes – Lawful and Unlawful Classes Technical Annex 
 
Page 10 of 10 
 
 
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