EDUCATION chiefs in a North-East borough have received top marks from Government inspectors.

A glowing 50-page report was published today by Chris Woodhead, chief inspector of Ofsted, who said Hartlepool Local Education Authority "has made significant strides since its inception in 1996 and provides good support to its schools."

It follows a series of excellent results by Hartlepool pupils. Since 1996:

l Key Stage 1 reading test results improved from 77 per cent to 80 per cent, writing test results from 76 per cent to 80 per cent and maths results improved from 83 per cent to 87 per cent;

l Key Stage 2 English test results improved from 49 per cent to 67 per cent and maths test results from 48 per cent to 70 per cent;

l Key Stage 3 English test results improved from 53 per cent to 57 per cent and maths test results from 48 per cent to 55 per cent;

l The number of pupils achieving five or more A* to C grade GCSEs improved from 32 per cent to 39 per cent.

Hartlepool was judged by the inspection team to be doing a first class job in supporting, but also challenging, schools in the town to achieve dramatic improvements in standards.

Key findings include that the LEA's greatest strengths lie where they matter most, in the strategy and support to school improvement, openness and transparency of financial decision-making and good leadership have been successful in building relationships which are based on mutual trust.