NEU Urges England to Cut Class Sizes as Government Slashes Primary Teacher Recruitment 23%
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 4
NEU Urges England to Cut Class Sizes as Government Slashes Primary Teacher Recruitment 23%
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 4
Summary
A 23% cut in England’s primary teacher recruitment target has drawn union pressure to use falling pupil numbers to shrink classes rather than hire fewer staff.
Daniel Kebede of the NEU said about 1 million children are still taught in classes of 31 or more, arguing lower enrolment offers a “historic opportunity” to reduce class sizes.
Department for Education figures show primary pupil numbers are expected to fall 6.8% between 2023 and 2029, while overall school teacher numbers fell by 1,900 in 2025.
The government says it has made progress toward its pledge of 6,500 extra teachers—reaching 4,654 in secondary, special schools and further education—but clarified the target excludes primary schools.
Schools say the pressure is shifting, not disappearing: Leicester’s North Mead Primary is struggling to recruit specialist SEND teachers as pupil-led funding falls and a pay dispute raises the prospect of an autumn strike ballot.