AN MP candidate has apologised after releasing incorrect figures about class sizes in Southend.

Ashley Dalton, who is Labour's candidate for Rochford and Southend East, gave information which suggested that a number of schools across the area had classes with more than 30 pupils.

However, she has since apologised for the incorrect data, which she put down to a "data entry error".

Mistakes included claiming that Porters Grange Primary School, in Southchurch, ranked the highest for packed classes, as the class size is actually 21.6 on average.

The readjusted figures show that Bournes Hall Junior School actually has the largest class size, with an average of 33.1 pupils to one teacher.

Hinguar Primary School, Richmond Avenue Primary School and Bournemouth Park Academy were the only three school which had one class with more than 36 pupils.

Ashley Dalton, Labour’s candidate for Rochford & Southend East, said: “I would like to apologise for the error in the data we issued earlier this month. We have contacted the affected schools and reissued corrected data.

“The data still shows, nevertheless, that there are schools in this constituency where children’s learning is under threat because classes are too full.

"Proper education funding is vital to the country’s future success, and Labour is committed to ensuring every child receives the education they deserve.”

Cheryl Woolf, headteacher of Porters Grange Primary School and Nursery, said: "We pride ourselves on the targeted support we give to our children. We have careful management of class size alongside additional specialist teacher input as one of the key factors in their ongoing success.

"For the third year running, the school’s SATs results have continued their rapid rise.

"The children’s progress, from their starting points, has also been well above average.

"In fact this year, the government tests show that the children’s progress puts the school in the highest bracket nationally.

"Children and staff are very proud of their school and the parents’ very positive feedback reflects this pride.

"The school recognises that its main resource is the quality of its staff and has put all its energy into developing the quality of learning and teaching.

"The main reason for our ever improving results is the commitment and expertise of our workforce.

"Visitors always comment on the children’s good behaviour as well as the settled and productive working atmosphere of the school - the children know they go to Porters to learn and to succeed."