A SCHEME that helps schools in a North-East town to work together to improve standards for all pupils could be rolled out across the region.

The schools@onedarlington group sees headteachers from all primary and secondary schools in the town meet regularly to discuss issues that affect the education of all children in the town.

The system was praised by Sir Michael Wilshaw, Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills, in a report last year, where he highlighted the work of Darlington Borough Council and schools for their work to raise standards in the town.

The report led to requests from other local authorities in the region and beyond for information about how schools@onedarlington was set up and how it operates in Darlington, which in turn led to a study by Darlington's Virtual Leadership College.

The study will be used to support councils who want to encourage schools to work together and it will also be made available to agencies such as Ofsted and the Department for Education.

Speaking about the study, Cyndi Hughes, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “The study really serves two purposes - it celebrates the great things our schools have achieved so far and it forms the basis for the discussion about what we can aim to achieve next by continuing to work together for the good of all children in the borough.”