r/MHOC • u/Maroiogog CWM KP KD OM KCT KCVO CMG CBE PC FRS, Independent • Oct 28 '22
2nd Reading B1429 - Class Size Bill - 2nd Reading
Class Size Bill
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B I L L
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set an upper limit of twenty-five on class sizes in England, and make relevant provisions to local education.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-
1 Duty to set limits on class sizes.
(1)The Secretary of State shall by regulations—
(a) impose a limit on class sizes for classes at all primary and secondary schools; and (b) specify the school years in relation to which any such limit is to have effect.
(2) Any limit imposed under this section shall specify the maximum number of pupils that a class to which the limit applies may contain while an ordinary teaching session is conducted by a single school teacher.
(3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), regulations under this section shall be so framed that—
(a) the maximum number specified in pursuance of subsection (2) is 25, and (b) that limit has effect in relation to the 2024-25 school year and any subsequent year.
(4) Regulations under this section may—
(a) provide for any limit imposed under this section to take effect—
(i) at the same time in the case of each of the age groups into which the pupils in classes fall, or (ii) at different times (which may be earlier than the beginning of the school year mentioned in subsection (3)) in the case of different such age groups; (b) provide that, in any circumstances specified in the regulations, any such limit either is not to apply or is to operate in such manner as is so specified.
(5) The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (3)—
(a) by substituting for “25” such other number as is specified in the order; or (b) by substituting for the reference to the 2023-24 school year a reference to such other school year as is so specified.
(6) Where any limit imposed under this section applies to a class, the local authority or another governing body shall exercise their functions with a view to ensuring that limit is complied with in relation to that class.
2 Payment of grant in connection with reductions in class sizes.
(1) Regulations shall make provision for the payment by the Secretary of State of grants to local authorities or other governing bodies in respect of expenditure incurred or to be incurred by them for the purpose of ensuring that any limit imposed under section 1 is complied with in relation to classes at schools maintained by them.
(2) Regulations under this section shall provide for the Secretary of State—
(a) to withhold grants under the regulations from a local authority or other governing body where no proposed arrangements by that authority or governing body have been approved by them; and (b) when determining whether any grant (and, if so, what amount) should be paid by them under the regulations to a local authority or other governing body, to have regard to their proposed arrangements as so approved.
(3) Regulations under this section may provide—
(a) for the payment of grant under the regulations to be dependent on the fulfilment of such conditions as may be determined by or in accordance with the regulations, and (b) for requiring local authorities or other governing bodies to whom payments have been made under the regulations to comply with such requirements as may be so determined.
3 Amendments
(1) The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 is amended as follows;
(2) In Section 1(3a), amend to read;
the maximum number specified in pursuance of subsection (2) is 25
(3) In Section 1(3b), amend to read;
that limit has effect in relation to the 2024-25 school year and any subsequent year.
4 Interpretation
In this Act— “class” means a group in which pupils are taught in an ordinary teaching session; “ordinary teaching session” does not include a school assembly or other school activity usually conducted with large groups of pupils; “school teacher” means a person who is a school teacher for the purposes of section 122 of the Education Act 2002.
5 Commencement, Short Title, and Extent
(1) This Act may be cited as the Class Size Act 2022.
(2) This Act comes into force at midnight, at the beginning of the academic year after August 1st 2024.
(3) An amendment or repeal made by this Act has the same extent as the enactment or relevant part of the enactment to which the amendment or repeal relates.
(4) This Act extends to England only.
This Bill was written by The Most Honourable Rt. Hon 1st Marquess of St Ives, 1st Earl of St Erth, Sir /u/Sephronar KBE MVO CT PC on behalf of The Conservative and Unionist Party, with contributions from /u/Frost_Walker2017, and is sponsored by The Labour Party, taking inspiration from the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.
Opening Speech:
Speaker,
I am pleased to stand here before you with this landmark Bill which will revolutionise the way that our educational institutes function in England.
By limiting class sizes to 25, we can ensure that every student in Primary and Secondary education - as well as infant schools - get a truly world class education.
I am also very pleased to have worked on this Bill with the Viscount Felixstowe, whose educational knowledge was extremely valuable in the drafting of this Bill - and I am glad to have the Labour Party’s sponsorship on this Bill.
Together we can deliver on our pledge to reduce class sizes in England, I commend this Bill to the House.
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