THE number of secondary school pupils taught in classes of more than 30 has gone up by 21 per cent in two years, according to government figures.

Teaching unions blamed funding cuts for the increase with schools increasingly expected to look at ways of saving money.

Kevin Courtney, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "It is of particular concern that the Government is cutting the number of secondary school teachers at the same time as the number of pupils is rising."

Russell Hobby, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT said: "Since 2009 the average size of primary schools has also increased by the equivalent of more than one extra class per school, bringing additional challenges for school leaders."