There are more classroom assistants

The average number of pupils in a primary class this year is 26.2, down from 26.3 in 2006.

The average secondary school class has 21.3 pupils, compared with 21.5 last year.

The proportion of infants taught in classes of more than 30 children continues to fall and is now 1.7%.

The overall school workforce has grown, although the total number of teachers in schools maintained by local authorities fell by 600 (0.1%) to 434,900.

Academies not included

Government officials pointed out that the figures do not include teachers employed by the new Academies - which are funded by the state but are independent from local authorities.

The number of teachers in Academies has risen from 1,700 in 2006 to 3,200 in 2007, officials say.

The increase in the overall school workforce is attributed to the recruitment of more teaching assistants and other support staff. This group rose 6.2% to 305,500 on last year.

England's minister for schools, Jim Knight, said: "Today's figures show sustained growth in the school workforce after a decade of investment to raise teacher numbers.

"There are now more than 35,000 additional teachers in our schools compared to a decade ago.

"The priority now is to ensure that these teachers have the support and resources to deliver personalised learning and other key educational reforms, which is why we are pleased to see increases in teaching assistants and support staff."