Wiltshire education authority is improving but has much to do if it is to become consistently effective, say inspectors.

But they have praised the authority for restoring good relations with schools.

The Office for Standards in Education says Wiltshire performs many of its functions satisfactorily “but, as yet, few are performed particularly well”.

However, it praises areas including support for governors and partnership with external agencies, and says strengths now outweigh weaknesses.

The authority is emerging from a period when relationships with schools were at “a very low ebb”. Inspectors praise chief education officer Bob Wolfson, appointed in January 2000, who “has made considerable progress in rebuilding these relationships and gives clear educational direction”.

Meanwhile, another OFSTED report says Somerset education authority is doing well, with strengths considerably outweighing weaknesses.

Support for school improvement is particularly strong, while the LEA has “a coherent and clear education development plan, which is being soundly implemented”.

Its relationship with schools is also good, says the report, adding:

“Schools trust the LEA and feel that their views will be listened to.”

Weaknesses remain, for example support for vulnerable pupils, but the LEA is tackling these and the inspectors are confident performance will continue to improve.

Full reports are available at www.ofsted.gov.uk

WILTSHIRE

Strengths

* Support for governors

* Partnership with external agencies

* Admissions

* School attendance support

Weaknesses

* Special needs

* Arrangement for pupils who have no school place

* Support to improve literacy

* Curriculum and administrative application of ICT

SOMERSET

Strengths

* Information on, and range of, services for schools

* Admissions

* Support for schools causing concern

* Support for school management

* Partnership with schools

Weaknesses

* Arrangement for pupils who have no school place

* Attendance