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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 2009 school census reveals 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. |
| The increase has been blamed on job losses in the recession. | The increase has been blamed on job losses in the recession. |
| This annual profile of the school population also shows that almost one in four primary pupils is now from an ethnic minority. | This annual profile of the school population also shows that almost one in four primary pupils is now from an ethnic minority. |
| The census, based on school rolls in January, also shows a further 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. |
| Changing populations | |
| 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. |
| SCHOOL CENSUS 2009 Eligible for free school meals: Tower Hamlets 47.5%, Wokingham 4.2%Pupils speaking English as a second language: Newham 73%, Cornwall 1.3%Ethnic minorities in primary schools: in the 14 inner London boroughs 20% primary pupils are 'white British', in Dorset 93%Class sizes: The percentage of primary pupils in classes of over 30 has fallen from 13.5% to 12.3% | |
| 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. | 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%. | 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%. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Across the 14 inner London boroughs, about 80% of primary school pupils are in ethnic categories other than "white British". There are about 51,000 black pupils, 34,100 white British pupils and 33,900 Asian - along with other white and mixed race pupils. | |
| Figures on class sizes show the proportion of pupils being taught in primary classes with more than 30 pupils has fallen - down to 12.3% from 13.5%. | |
| 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. | 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." |