The Office for Standards in Education commended Cheshire for its good relationships with schools and its effective management.

Inspectors found the county council has maintained a strong tradition of promoting the arts and offers pupils valuable experience through outdoor education centres.

Mike Tomlinson, chief inspector, said: “Cheshire education authority has clearly shown that it can handle change effectively and improve as a result. Its strengths clearly outweigh the few weaknesses that this report identifies and it is plain that the LEA is well able to address the recommendations made in this report.”

A report on Stockton-on-Tees revealed it carried out most of its functions well and senior officers provide effective management. It says relationships between the LEA and schools are good, consultation is purposeful and there is a high level of trust. The authority also works successfully with a range of partners to achieve its goals for social and educational inclusion.

However, inspectors say the authority needs to delegate more responsibility and money to schools.

They found that Northamptonshire’s senior elected members and officers provide good leadership. The report says the LEA effectively promotes school autonomy and its approach to school improvement is improving.

It provides good support for ethnic-minority pupils, including Travellers and has given good leadership to schools in tackling racism.

The council’s strategy for special educational needs is good and inspectors conclude that it performs almost all of its functions satisfactorily, and its strengths considerably outweigh its weaknesses.

NORTHANTS

Strengths

* support for early years

* leadership from elected members

* leadership of senior officers

* special educational needs strategy and management

Weaknesses

* identification and support for schools causing concern

STOCKTON-ON-TEES

Strengths

* support for raising literacy and numeracy standards

* support for the development of primary ICT

* support for early years

* support for pupils with special educational needs

Weaknesses

* support for ethnic- minority children

CHESHIRE

Strengths

* monitoring, intervention and support for schools

* support for literacy and numeracy standards

* quality of leadership and advice to senior officers

* welfare and protection

Weaknesses

* strategy for special educational needs