Not one of its 389 schools is subject to special measures and test results across the full age range are, in the main, above or well above national averages.

Inspections by the Office for Standards in Education show that the quality of education provided by North Yorkshire schools is positive.

But while some, if not most, of that success can be attributed to the healthy attitude of parents and teachers, inspectors say the authority also helped.

They praised its efficient support, judicious intervention and its sensible hands-off approach.

But they said: “This is not to say that North Yorkshire has

got it exactly right or could not do better.”

Overall, inspectors cite eight strengths and seven weaknesses in authority, wich serves a large geographical area with a growing but dispersed population.

North Yorkshire’s pattern of types and sizes of schools is more diverse that most education authorities, including a range of two-tier and three-tier systems as well as comprehensive and selective schools.

Its school-age population is around 85,400 and expected to rise to 86,189 by next January.

Inspectors say there is more for the authority to do but added: “The view of the inspection team is that North Yorkshire has the potential and the capacity to improve further.”

Strengths

clear leadership

challenging poor schools

support for school management

early years literacy and numeracy strategies

child protection

Weaknesses ICT

special needs statements

consultation and communication with governors

support for pupils from ethnic minorities