ISSUES on education in North Yorkshire are to be discussed by the county's education watchdog at Scalby School, Scarborough next week.

County Councillor John Blackie, chairman of the education scrutiny committee, says the meeting, on Wednesday, December 4 will break new ground.

"It will be the first time such a meeting has been held outside County Hall. We are doing it because we want the public to attend together with teachers from other schools in the area to express their views" he said.

The scrutiny committee will discuss raising standards in successful schools, vulnerable children especially those with special needs, and focussing on areas of the county where there has been under-achievement.

"Scalby School is the ideal place to hold such a meeting because it has been tremendously successful in attaining technology college status and has a county-wide reputation for its work with special needs children, particularly those who are hard of hearing" said Coun Blackie.

Heads and staff from ten schools around the town have accepted invitations to attend the meeting which starts at 4.30pm. "We want the public to become involved in our decision making and to express their views" he said.