Union Calls for Smaller Classes as Pupil Numbers Fall

The National Education Union says falling primary pupil numbers should be used to reduce class sizes rather than cut teacher recruitment. Daniel Kebede, the general secretary of the National Education Union, told the BBC around a million pupils are being taught in classes of more than 31 children.

Between 2023 and 2029 primary pupil numbers are expected to fall by 6.8%, with secondary numbers stable, according to the Department for Education.

New government figures show a modest fall in the number of school teachers overall. There was a fall in 2025 of 1,900 full time teachers in schools. The latest statistics show 4,654 teachers recruited toward the government's target of 6,500 extra teachers by the end of the parliament.

The government clarified in April 2026 that its manifesto promise of extra teachers does not cover primary schools or early years. With primary pupil numbers falling, the government has cut its target for recruiting new teachers for the next school year by 23%.

Kebede said instead of cutting its teacher recruitment, the government should use the "historic opportunity" of falling pupil numbers to make class sizes smaller. "At the moment we have the largest class sizes in Europe, a million children taught in classes of 31 or more," he said.

He said teachers were needed to deliver on government plans to support many more children with special educational needs in mainstream schools by 2030.

With the number of children coming into schools falling, some school leaders are expecting budgets to drop as funding is per pupil. The pay offer for support staff has been confirmed for 2026-27 at 3.3%, which school leaders fund out of the schools budget.

The government is expected to announce the pay award within weeks, and the NEU will ballot if it isn't backed by funding rather than coming out of school budgets.