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More pupils can claim free meals More pupils can claim free meals
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The number of children eligible for free school meals in England has risen by 21,410 - the first annual increase in three years, official figures show.The number of children eligible for free school meals in England has risen by 21,410 - the first annual increase in three years, official figures show.
The figures from the 2009 school census showed a rise from 15.5% to 15.9% in primary schools and from 13.1% to 13.4% in secondary. The 2009 school census reveals a rise from 15.5% to 15.9% in primary schools and from 13.1% to 13.4% in secondary.
Anti-poverty groups say it is more evidence that the recession is biting. The increase has been blamed on job losses in the recession.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families says it has lifted 500,000 children out of relative poverty. This annual profile of the school population also shows that almost one in four primary pupils is now from an ethnic minority.
The statistics, an annual census of the school population taken each January, also show an increase in the number of pupils with English as a second language. The census, based on school rolls in January, also shows a further increase in the number of pupils with English as a second language.
In primary schools, 15.2% of pupils speak English as a second language, up from 14.3% last year. Among secondary pupils, there are 11.1% speaking English as a second language, up from 10.6% in 2008.In primary schools, 15.2% of pupils speak English as a second language, up from 14.3% last year. Among secondary pupils, there are 11.1% speaking English as a second language, up from 10.6% in 2008.
Including pupils in special schools, it means that there are almost 866,000 pupils in the school system who do not speak English as their first language. The total for children who are native English speakers is 5.7 million. Including pupils in special schools, it means that there are almost 866,000 pupils in the school system who do not speak English as their first language.
There are wide local variations - in Tower Hamlets, 78% of primary pupils speak English as a second language, while in Cornwall the figure is 1.3%.
Ethnicity and class sizesEthnicity and class sizes
In primary schools, the percentage of pupils from a minority ethnic origin increased from 23.3% in 2008 to 24.5% in 2009. The statistics show increases in the percentages of ethnic minority pupils - up from 23.3% to 24.5% in primary schools and from 19.5% to 20.6% in secondary schools.
And in secondary schools, the percentage of pupils from a minority ethnic origin rose from 19.5% in 2008 to 20.6% in 2009. The proportion of pupils being taught in primary classes with more than 30 pupils has fallen - down to 12.3% from 13.5%.
The figures show the average class size in England's primary schools in January was 26.2 and 20.6 in secondary schools.
A total of 12.3% of children in primary schools were being taught in classes of 31 or more pupils, down from 13.5% in 2008.
And 6.6% of secondary school pupils were in classes of 31 or more, down slightly from 6.7% on the previous year.And 6.6% of secondary school pupils were in classes of 31 or more, down slightly from 6.7% on the previous year.
Statements of special education need (SEN) were given to 221,240 pupils (2.7%) across all schools in England in January 2009, down from 2.8% in 2008.Statements of special education need (SEN) were given to 221,240 pupils (2.7%) across all schools in England in January 2009, down from 2.8% in 2008.
The figures also showed that, since 2005, there has been an increase in the percentage of SEN pupils being placed in special schools or pupil referral units (PRUs) - up from 37.2% in 2005 to 40.5% in 2009.The figures also showed that, since 2005, there has been an increase in the percentage of SEN pupils being placed in special schools or pupil referral units (PRUs) - up from 37.2% in 2005 to 40.5% in 2009.
'Fair chance''Fair chance'
On the growth in free school meal pupils, Kate Green from the Child Poverty Action Group said the effects of the recession and job losses had built up gradually.On the growth in free school meal pupils, Kate Green from the Child Poverty Action Group said the effects of the recession and job losses had built up gradually.
Kate Green, Child Poverty Action Group: "Good information for parents is important"Kate Green, Child Poverty Action Group: "Good information for parents is important"
She said unemployment was likely to rise and parents losing their jobs should make sure they were accessing the free meals to which they were entitled.She said unemployment was likely to rise and parents losing their jobs should make sure they were accessing the free meals to which they were entitled.
Families are eligible for free school meals if they have an income, including benefits, below £16,000 per year.Families are eligible for free school meals if they have an income, including benefits, below £16,000 per year.
The percentage of primary pupils eligible for free school meals varies widely - from 47.5% in Tower Hamlets to 4.2% in Wokingham.
In June, the government published a child poverty bill which pledged a duty to eradicate child poverty by 2020 with the help of local authorities, the NHS and police.In June, the government published a child poverty bill which pledged a duty to eradicate child poverty by 2020 with the help of local authorities, the NHS and police.
A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "We're determined not to abandon communities to long-term unemployment and risk generations of families falling into and staying in poverty... every child matters and deserves a fair chance to succeed."A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "We're determined not to abandon communities to long-term unemployment and risk generations of families falling into and staying in poverty... every child matters and deserves a fair chance to succeed."
Pupils who fell behind would get guaranteed intensive support, 3,000 Sure Start Centres had been created and all children had access to extended services outside school hours, the spokesman added.