PR 1728
`FIRST RATE' EDUCATION IN HAMPSHIRE
Hampshire County Council's Education Department has been rated as one of the best in the country for the third year, retaining a top three star rating in the Government's latest performance and improvement ratings.
Hampshire is one of just 55 local education authorities to receive three stars and one of only 41 councils to be rated `excellent' overall for 2003/04. All 150 education departments have been measured on their performance and prospects for improvement under the annual ratings for local education authorities.
The star ratings reflect a range of indicators that cover the education service in a local authority, including school improvements, special educational needs, social inclusion, life long learning and the strategic management of education. The ratings are drawn either from inspection judgements or from performance measures for the achievement of Hampshire pupils in national tests.
Andrew Seber, Hampshire County Council's County Education Officer, said: "This is the third time we have been recognised as an excellent Education Department and I would like to pay special tribute to all our staff, who work hard to provide the very best for children and adult learners in our schools, colleges and early years centres.
"The path to high standards is never smooth or easy and I'm sure we will continue to strive to maintain our high level of service and remain committed to providing the best level of education for pupils in Hampshire."
Hampshire County Council Leader, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "My congratulations go to the Education Department in maintaining this outstanding three star rating for the third year. This is a tribute to the strong and successful ethos of all our dedicated department staff, headteachers, teachers, support staff and governing bodies who work very hard to maintain this excellent standard.
"The stars not only acknowledge the extremely high quality of education services in the county, but also the strategic plans that are in place to ensure the quality keeps on improving."
ENDS
For further information please contact: Julie Skinner on 01962 847368
16/12/2004