Primary 1-3 class sizes set to be reduced after councils agree targets

NEW targets on cutting class sizes for younger pupils in Scotland have been agreed by council chiefs. A new deal will see at least 20 per cent of Primary 1-3 pupils in classes of 18 or less by the start of the new school year in August.

The SNP had pledged all P1-3 youngsters would be in smaller sizes in their election manifesto three years ago but this was watered down after Fiona Hyslop was sacked as education secretary last year and replaced by Mike Russell.

Mr Russell first announced the proposals last December and they were formally endorsed by local council body Cosla yesterday.

The education secretary said: "The deal we have reached gives us a reasonable and creditable outcome that recognises the financial pressures we face.

"I firmly believe that smaller classes – with increased teacher contact – will improve the educational attainment of our young people, particularly in the early years.

"Alongside the councils, we are committed to reducing P1-P3 class sizes and this agreement ensures we continue to make progress."

The use of two teachers in a single classroom will also be recognised as progress towards smaller classes.

Councils are being given flexibility to prioritise free school meals for children in the most deprived areas first as part of the commitment to work towards free school meals for all P1-P3 pupils.

Isabel Hutton, Cosla's education spokeswoman, said: "The agreement allows local authorities to flexibly target resources where the returns are greatest, to enable us to deliver the aspiration that we all share for our children."