AN education authority set up just three years ago has been hailed by inspectors as a model for others to follow.

Bracknell Forest, one of six unitary authorities created by the break-up of Berkshire county council, is among the smallest education authorities in the country.

Visiting inspectors were struck almost immediately by the clarity, coherence and consistency of its planning and performance management processes.

They said Tony Eccleston, education director, set the tone for the entire council with his informality and approachability, combined with an intellectual and professional authority of a high order.

He and his senior colleagues provided excellent leadership, schools trusted the council and the elected members had a clear vision and strategy for education.

What they found particularly admirable was the council’s capacity to achieve continuous improvement through self-review.

Yet, progress made in schools in Bracknell Forest, an area dominated by high-tech companies, was no better than average and at key stage 4 and above, disappointing.

Inspectors said this was not because the council failed to challenge its six secondaries and 32 infant, junior and primary schools sufficiently, nor because it was afraid to tackle difficult issues. But they warned recruitment and retention difficulties would make it difficult to raise standards further.

The Tory-controlled council’s performance in all but a few functions was often good and at least satisfactory. Its weaknesses were few but important and included provision for pupils with no school place.

In another report inspectors said that Torbay, also set up in 1998, performed most of its functions satisfactorily and some well, while its 45 schools perform at least in line with others nationally.

They said the council, created following local government reorganisation in Devon, had inherited challenges over funding and supply of school places which had been difficult to overcome.

And while officers and advisers had embraced the national agenda of challenging schools to improve, strategic management by the council was weak. Many councillors were inexperienced, too little priority was given to educational issues and it was debatable whether they understood or accepted their responsibilities. The council changed from Liberal Democrat to Conservative control in May 2000.

Secondary schools were very critical at the time of the inspection. Relationships are now said to have improved.

However, on balance, inspectors said strengths outweighed weaknesses in Torbay, one of the largest resorts in the country. They cited eight strengths and four weaknesses but voiced concern about the council’s capacity to improve.

TORBAY

Strengths

* support for attendance, behaviour, numeracy and ICT

* intervention in schools during short-term crises

* special needs strategy

* asset management planning

Weaknesses

* poor relations with secondary schools

* councillors lack of knowledge of roles and responsibilities

BRACKNELL FOREST

Strengths

* the quality of its education development plan

* corporate planning and leadership

* support for schools causing concern

* early years

* special needs

Weaknesses

* provision for pupils who have no school place

* support for behaviour