Class sizes set to increase as teachers cut

Class sizes in secondary school will be larger this autumn due to a cut in the number of teachers.

Schools have been told that there will be a reduction of 300 "concessionary" teachers, who currently fill in gaps in school rosters and are often involved in minority subjects.

The 300 teachers in question are being redeployed to special needs services.

George O'Callaghan, a spokesman for school managers, said the loss of the teachers would have a serious impact on students.