HEADTEACHERS have criticised primary league tables, published today, for not showing an accurate picture of school performance.

They said the tables failed to take into account the number of special needs pupils sitting tests, and said results were affected by the number of students taking the exams.

One, Sherburn Hill, near Durham, was second from bottom in the county, with pupils achieving 42 per cent in English, 33 per cent in maths and 58 per cent in science.

Headteacher David Thurlwell criticised the tables and said they could provide misleading information that did not reflect the achievements of pupils or teachers.

He said: "They do not take into account the hard work done by staff and pupils.

"This year group had five times the national average of pupils with special needs.

"With the present system, it is impossible for schools with pupils with that type of problem to do well in a league table.

"Parents of that group were pleased with the progress. I have got a problem to try and tell other parents that there is no need to worry."

Other schools in the region received full marks.

These include Staindrop Primary, in Staindrop, County Durham, Thornley Primary, in east Durham, and Thornton in Craven school, North Yorkshire, which all scored 100 per cent.

Thornton in Craven's headteacher, Barbara Thompson, said the tables did not give the true picture of schools.

She said: "It is totally inaccurate system. It does not take into account special needs pupils or children who are absent on the day. In both cases, it is classed as a failure.

Durham Local Education Authority said it was delighted with the results.

It said it had maintained national performance levels despite "diverse socio-economic" concerns in the county.

Results for the English SAT at Oxclose Village Primary School, in Washington, have not been recorded after questions were raised over the preparation and administration of the test.

A spokesman for Sunderland City Council said: "The school received individual pupils' results in July, and parents and pupils were informed of their individual results as normal."

Last year Kelloe Primary School achieved nought per cent in maths and science after former headteacher David Horton was accused of manipulating pupils' tests.

This year, the school rose from 185th to 128th.