MORE than 5,900 pupils in Cheshire West and Chester are in 'overcrowded' classrooms, new analysis has revealed.

The analysis from the Labour Party reveals there are now 5,908 pupils in classrooms of more than 30 in Cheshire West and Chester.

Using data from the Department for Education (DfE), research shows that 900,672 school pupils across the UK are now in 'super-sized classrooms', an increase of 153,141 since 2010.

Labour spokesperson and cabinet member for children and families, councillor Bob Cernik, said: "Children in Cheshire West and Chester need all the help they can get to catch up after two dreadful Covid ravaged years.

"The last thing children need is to be stuck in overcrowded classrooms.

"Labour’s Children’s Recovery Plan would give children in Cheshire West and Chester the help they need from tutoring and mental health support to breakfast clubs and targeted support for those who need it most."

Wes Streeting MP, shadow child poverty secretary added: "Parents do not want to see their children crammed into super-sized classes and the evidence shows this will affect kids from all backgrounds."

The analysis of the also data finds a 'strong negative correlation' between the proportion of children learning in classes of more than 30 and the proportion of disadvantaged children who go on to higher education.

Similarly, the areas with lower social mobility have also seen the biggest increase in class sizes over the last 10 years.