Classes and pupils

The overall average class size for primary has decreased from 23.3 in 2022 to 23.2 in 2023 (Figure 18). Between 2022 and 2023 the average class size for P1-P3 decreased from 23.1 to 23.0 while the average class size for P4-7 remained the same at 25.7. Statistics on class sizes in the secondary sector are not collected as class size varies widely across subjects.

Figure 19 shows that the number of P1-P3 pupils taught in classes of 26 or more decreased from 40,441 in 2022 to 38,888 in 2023. The number of pupils taught in classes of 18 or fewer decreased from 20,235 in 2022 to 19,979 in 2023. However, the reduction in the number of pupils in P1-P3 meant that the proportion of pupils taught in classes of 18 or fewer increased slightly from 12.6% in 2022 to 12.7 in 2023.

Legislation limits class sizes to 25 for P1 pupils and to 30 for P2 and P3. However, classes may exceed these limits due the inclusion of one or more ‘excepted pupils’ (see background notes for more information).

In 2023 the number of P1 pupils in classes of 26 or more was 264; this was a decrease from 409 in 2022 (Figure 20). In 2023, there were 11 classes with 26 or more pupils and at least one P1 pupil, compared to 17 such classes in 2022 (data not shown).

Figure 21 shows that the percentage of P1-P3 pupils in classes of 18 or fewer varied considerably between local authorities and years. One of the main reasons for this was the differing number of small schools between local authorities.

Figure 22 shows pupils broken down by characteristics used in equalities monitoring. In 2023, 79.6% of pupils were recorded as being White-Scottish or White-other British. The next largest proportions of ethnic backgrounds were White-Other (3.7%), White-Polish (2.4%), Asian Pakistani (2.2%) and mixed (1.8%).

In 2023, 37% of all pupils (259,036 individuals) had an additional support need (ASN) (Figure 23). This is 2.8 percentage points higher than 2022 when 34.2% of pupils had an additional support need.

The number of pupils identified with additional support needs (ASN) has increased markedly since 2010 and there continue to be year on year increases (see table 1.5 of the supplementary tables). These increases were likely due in part to continued improvements in recording and the introduction of the additional need types 'Child plans' and ‘Other’ in 2011.

Statistics on additional support needs include pupils in special schools and those in mainstream schools who are assessed or declared disabled, or have a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP), Individualised Education Programme (IEP), Child Plan or another type of support. Pupils may have more than one type of ASN, therefore the total for ASN types do not equal the sum of individual types of ASN.

Figure 18 Average class size of primary school pupils by stage, Scotland, 2017 to 2023 [Note 1]

Note 1: Data refers to the average class size of pupils in each stage, not the average class size of single stage classes. The total primary average class size is calculated on a different basis to all the other class sizes shown, see background notes for details.

Figure 19 P1-P3 pupils by class size, Scotland, 2017 to 2023 [Note 1]

Note 1: The percentage of P1-P3 pupils in classes of 18 or fewer includes two-teacher classes with 36 or fewer. Classes taught by two teachers at all times are treated as two classes of half the size.

Figure 20 P1 pupils by class size, Scotland, 2017 to 2023

Figure 21 P1-P3 pupil in classes of size 18 or fewer or in two teacher classes with a pupil teacher ratio of 18 or fewer, local authority, 2017 to 2023 (percentage)

Note 1: The statistics for Scotland include one grant-aided mainstream school.

Figure 22 Pupil ethnicity by sex, Scotland, 2023

Figure 23 Pupils with additional support needs (ASN) and English as an additional language by sex, Scotland, 2023 [Note 1]

Note 1: Statistics for English as an Additional Language do not include grant-aided special schools as this information is not collected. There were 108 pupils at grant-aided special schools in 2023.

Note 2: See the background notes for further information on what the other category includes.

Note 3: Pupils may have more than one type of ASN, therefore the totals for ASN may not equal the sum of individual types of ASN.