Emma Bone Launches Class Size Campaign

4.04.36pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 3rd Jul 2007

Today local Liberal Democrat campaigner Emma Bone has joined forces with Northavon MP Steve Webb to launch her campaign for smaller class sizes in South Gloucestershire's schools.

When Labour came to power, they made reducing class sizes a key pledge. However, more than 3,000 children in South Gloucestershire are still educated in classes of more than 30 pupils.

Emma Bone and the Liberal Democrats are promising to cut class sizes in South Gloucestershire to no more than 20 for those children aged 5-7 (Key Stage 1) and to a maximum of 25 for those aged 7-11 (Key Stage 2)

Local Liberal Democrat Emma Bone said:

"Individual teachers attention is vital for our youngest children at a critical stage of their learning. How do we expect them to thrive when the teacher has to divide their time between 30 children?"

Northavon MP Steve Webb said:

"Cutting class sizes is the top priority for local parents, and the main reason many parents decide to pay to go private. But as with so many issues, the Tories have no solution to the problem of large class sizes. Most people think the Tories will simply say anything to get elected"

Emma Bone has launched a petition on her website calling on the Government to increase funding in South Gloucestershire's schools and cut class sizes for local pupils.

Emma added:

"I'm calling on local people to sign my petition for smaller class sizes for our children. It is vital that young people in our area get the best possible start in life and despite the best efforts of teachers, that is not happening. Things need to change and the more people who sign my petition the more powerful the message to Gordon Brown"