Rise of large schools 'threatens discipline'

The number of children being taught in schools with more than 2,000 pupils has risen almost four-fold since Labour came to power, according to figures obtained by the Conservatives.

The party warned that larger schools face the worst discipline problems, a claim denied by the government.

Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove said: "All the evidence is that some of the toughest problems with discipline are found in the larger schools.

"In America, cities like New York and Chicago have significantly improved behaviour and standards by encouraging smaller schools where it is easier to foster respect and the headteacher is able to know the name of every pupil.

"The government's pile 'em high approach is letting down some of the most disadvantaged pupils."

The figures from the Department for Children, Schools and Families showed that last year 47,540 pupils were being educated in the largest schools, up from 12,650 in 1997.

The Tories said six out of 10 secondary pupils are now educated in schools of more than 1,000 pupils, up from 46 per cent in 1997.

A department spokesman said it was "far too simplistic" to say that discipline problems were worse in larger schools.

"An analysis of judgements on secondary schools shows that schools with more than 1,000 pupils were more likely to be judged to have outstanding standards of behaviour and less likely to be judged to have inadequate standards of behaviour than smaller schools."

Schools minister Lord Adonis said schools had increased in size because parents and children wanted to attend them.

"Labour has actively encouraged the expansion of popular and successful schools, so that more parents can choose to send their children to them," he said.

"The Conservatives will create a huge parental backlash and rightly so if they are proposing to stop successful schools from growing."