CLASS sizes in Warrington schools are plummeting, according to new Government figures.

The number of infant pupils in classes of more than 30 dropped from 2,299 to 2,244 between January and September last year. And the number is predicted to fall to 1,661 by September this year - a drop of nearly 28 per cent in 21 months.

Warrington's education bosses say they are committed to ensuring that no infant is educated in a class of more than 30 children in the future.

The Department for Education and Employment has just awarded the authority nearly £1million to construct 10 additional classrooms and another £150,000 to employ eight extra teachers in the coming year.

Warrington's education chief Malcolm Roxburgh said: "This is all part of the funding to ensure we have no children in classes of more than 30 by 2002."

The news of the extra funding comes just a week after the authority announced the possible closure of Chatfield County Primary in Birchwood. Mr Roxburgh said: "The problem is that in Birchwood there are very few young children, whereas in other parts of the town there have been massive increases in population.

"This money will ensure that the new classes are built where they are needed."

Schools which will have the new classrooms are Callands, Culcheth, Old Hall, Penketh South, Our Lady's, St Helen's, St Joseph's, St Paul of the Cross, St Margaret's and St Vincent's.

Education Committee chairman Harry Shaw said: "I am particularly pleased at the way the Government has recognised the very strong bid put forward by Warrington Education Department."

MP for Warrington North Helen Jones said: "This commitment will particularly help teachers in the delivery of the literacy hour and daily numeracy lessons. I am delighted with the progress we are making and look forward to seeing the figure fall further in the very near future."

And Warrington South MP Helen Southworth added: "The children in my constituency will benefit from this extra money in those vital early years."

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