Class sizes in England could go up to 60 warn heads in funding pay row

Teachers say they may be forced to teach up to 60 children at once. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Schools in England are preparing to move to class sizes of as many as 60 children from September to deal with a funding crisis that headteachers say will force them to cut staff.

The government insists that there is still room in school budgets to cover the 4.5% pay offer that teachers overwhelmingly rejected last month, as well as rising costs. But angry headteachers have warned that next year they will reach the brink, with no option but to cut staff and increase class sizes.