More infant classes are overcrowded, but there are more infants too

Infant class sizes are due to be discussed in Parliament today as part of a debate brought by the opposition.

The most recent figures from the Department for Education show that in England the number of Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7) classes with pupil numbers above 30 - the limit set by government - has risen, from 890 in January 2010 to 2,985 in January 2014.

That's a rise from 1.6% of all KS1 classes, to 5.1%.

As we covered last year, the rise is not unexpected. In 2012 the Department pointed to a rise in the birth rate which is now feeding into greater pressure on school places:

"The recent and projected population increases are likely to increase demand for teachers and the number of class rooms, making it more challenging for Local Authorities (LAs) to keep Key Stage 1 classes within the legal limit of 30 pupils per class."

More information on class sizes for older primary-age children and for secondary-age children has been analysed by the House of Commons Library.