Martin Johnson, acting deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said:

“The statistics continue to disprove fears workforce remodelling is a plot to replace teachers with cheaper staff. 

“Although the evidence is inconclusive as to whether smaller classes improve pupils' attainment, having fewer children in a class allows staff more time to get to know individual children.  This gives greater opportunities to support pupils' learning and overall well-being, which is vitally important for the youngest children.  We hope more will be done to ensure Key Stage 1 class sizes do not continue to rise.”

ends