Pupils in North Yorkshire have the advantage of being taught in some of the smallest class sizes in the country.

Government figures today revealed the average size of classes in primary and secondary schools in York is below the national average.

And the good news for parents and teachers is that they are continuing to get smaller.

The average primary class size in the city was 25.9 in January 2001 compared with 26.4 12 months earlier.

The national average is 26.7, a fall from 27.1 in January 2000.

In secondary schools, youngsters in York were taught in classes of an average size of 21.1 - compared with 21.5 in the previous year. The national average was 22.

The figures for North Yorkshire as a whole were even better, it was revealed in a Parliamentary written answer.

Primary school classes contained an average of 25.3 pupils, compared with 25.8 in 2000.

Secondary class sizes remained unchanged on 21.

Schools Minister Stephen Timms said reducing class sizes was a Government priority.

He added headteachers across the county would be given extra funding to reduce class sizes even further.

"In 2001-02, secondary headteachers will receive an average of £70,000 and primary headteachers 24,000 in direct grant to spend as they choose, including reducing class sizes if that is there priority."

Updated: 10:34 Wednesday, June 27, 2001