TOWN primary schools will refuse to cram extra pupils into classes as new figures have revealed a rise in supersize classes across the country.

On the day primary school applications closed for the new academic year, local headteachers said although school places are oversubscribed, classes will remain at 30 pupils and below.

According to Labour’s analysis of official Government figures, more than half a million primary school children are now in super-size classes above 30 pupils.

In the 1990s Labour introduced a limit on infant school class sizes, restricting class numbers to 30 and under.

There are circumstances in which schools can waive the limit and these have been extended in recent years.

But Gary Evans, the head teacher at Ferndale Community Primary School, said the school would keep to legal limits for class sizes.

And he believes that it benefits the children’s learning environment to keep the class sizes down.

“Our limit is 30 pupils, we will categorically never go above that because it is the law and we don’t want to compromise the level of education we can provide," he said.

"This is an important time in a child’s life.

“Lots of factors determine whether a pupil will get a place, whether they have brother or sisters at the school, where they live.

“We have two classes with a total of 60 places available and we would typically see maybe 90 applications for places and then a further 20 places which will be appealed. But we still stick to a maximum of 60 places."

Jo Garton, the headteacher of  Bridlewood Primary School, agreed class size should remain at 30 for reception years.

“We have 200 school places here and one reception class of 30 and we are typically receiving more than 90 applications for those places,” she said.

“We are not the ones making decisions on admissions which depend on if the child has a care priority, if they have siblings at school and then location. We will always stick at 30 admissions though.”