TOWN hall education chiefs in Blackburn and Darwen have been told they are top of the class and an example to other councils in the way they run schools.

After less than two years as an education authority, Blackburn with Darwen Council has been awarded so called "beacon" status for education.

The council is one of only four in the entire country and the only authority in the North West to be given the prestigious award.

Among the advances education department has made during its two years of existence have been:

Attracting thousands of pounds worth of money to reduce class sizes and improve school buildings.

Winning the right to set up one of the government's Education Action Zones, which was set up in 1998 and visited by Prime Minister Tony Blair and Education Secretary David Blunkett in January.

The rating of 11-year-olds in the borough as among the highest achievers in the country in exams.

The winning of £1million from lottery funds to set up out of hours learning facilities through the establishment of after school clubs.

Beacon status is viewed by councillors as one of the high points for the whole authority since it became a unitary, independent of the county council, in 1998.

Education committee chairman Coun Bill Taylor said: "I am absolutely delighted with this news. It recognises and celebrates what has been achieved by heart, head and hand in the community, council chamber and classroom during the 18 months the education authority has existed. "We will not rest on these laurels. Achieving beacon status keeps us at the forefront of the educational map and this is where we would like to stay. "We have come a very long way in a short time and have already gained a reputation for excellence and innovation."

Beacon status will mean the council hosts open days and workshops with education leaders from other councils to share the secrets of the authority's success. A special grant will be awarded by the government to help fund these events.

Council leader Malcolm Doherty said: "This is a magnificent achievement for a very young education authority. "

Councillors met to celebrate the education department's success at St Antony's Roman Catholic Primary School, Shadsworth.

The school has recently been removed from "special measures" which it was placed under by the schools watchdog body Ofsted.

Conservative Education spokesman Coun John Williams said: "We would add our congratulationsbut things need to be kept in perspective if we are to be an example to others. An improvement on 34th bottom out of 116 local education authorities is an area of importance to be tackled."

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