Steady rise in the number of primary school pupils

Tuesday 20 September 2016

The number of students in Jersey is remaining relatively constant, but the latest figures published by the Education Department show class sizes, and class make up, are changing.

There are almost 14,000 youngsters in full-time education. That’s about the same as back in 2011. But, there has been a 4% increase in the number of primary students – to almost 8,000. That’s been balanced by a 5% dip in secondary students.

To cope with the increasing number of primary school children, five additional classrooms were added to States non-fee paying schools last year. The average size of a States primary school has grown from 253 to 267 in the last five years.

Education’s policy is to try and limit primary school classes to 26 children. But the increase in numbers has meant more than a quarter of primary classes in States schools have exceed that, although none has risen above 30. On average class sizes in Jersey are smaller than in the UK, 24.6 and 27.1 respectively.

One set of results the statisticians are having problems thoroughly explaining though is the number of students for whom English is an additional language. These are children who are exposed to another language at home during childhood – although the department stresses this doesn’t mean they’re not proficient in English – it is in addition.

The figures show there has been a 2.6% rise in the past three years of the number of students for whom English is a second language. Whilst 79% of pupils say English is their first language, 14% say Portuguese, and 4% Polish. It could be that more Portuguese and Polish families are coming to the Island, although the department say it’s more likely that it’s because mothers for whom English isn’t their first language are having more children. Another alternative explanation is that the figures are being more accurately recorded than in the past.