Fife school pupils more likely to be in bigger classes than other Scottish pupils, according to Scottish Government statistics

Over the past six years, the percentage of younger pupils in Fife, p1-p3, who are in a class of 18 pupils or less has significantly decreased, according to the Scottish Government Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland published yesterday, December 15.

In 2014, 22.9% of primary one to three pupils across Fife were in a class of 18 or less, however, by September this year, this has dramatically fallen to just 7.1%.

The biggest decrease in this six year period came between 2016 and 2017, when the overall percentage fell from 20.8% to 11.6%.

In Scotland overall, 14.0% of P1-P3 pupils were found to be taught in classes of 18 or less.

This shows an increase of almost double the percentage in the the Fife Council area.

There has however been an increase in the past year as the percentage of primary one to three pupils in Fife in a class of 18 or less rising from 3.7% in 2019 to 7.1% this year.

The figures relating to class size included two teacher classes with a pupil teacher ratio of 18 or fewer.

Overall, the average class size in Scotland was 23.1 for pupils in primary school, a slight decrease of 0.4 from 23.5 in 2019.

Pupil to teacher ratio in Fife has also slightly fallen, from 14.2 to 13.9.

Fife Council has been contacted for comment.

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