SMALLER class sizes are stopping schools from being included in national league tables.

Cheshire West and Chester Council confirmed that any school with 10 or fewer Year 6 pupils eligible to sit SATs will not be included in published school tables.

Primary schools at Barrow, Utkinton St Paul’s, Clutton, Delamere, Dodleston, Eccleston and Manley were all left off last year’s list due to having a small intake.

Tushingham-with-Grindley Primary (13), Saighton CofE Primary and Alvanley (both 11) just made it into December’s results round-up while Cuddington (11) also narrowly avoided being left out, although it is understood that 2009’s Year 6 class was an anomaly.

Utkinton Saint Paul’s Primary School, near Tarporley, had fewer than 10 Year 6 pupils enrolled last year but headteacher Sara Roberts believes it can be an advantage to avoid intense scrutiny that often follows publication of the SATs league tables.

She said: “On one hand league tables are a good thing because it allows you to celebrate success but with having such a small group, children could be easily identified if that child has not achieved.

“In that case it is better for the results to remain private between, the child, the school and the parents.”

A decision on whether schools will boycott this year’s SATs will be taken after members of the National Association of Headteachers and the NUT announced they will vote on the issue on March 15.

The ‘indicative ballots’ will show whether action is taken to prevent the Year 6 English and Maths tests going ahead in May.