Parents are being asked for their views on the action plan drawn up by Bradford education authority in response to damning criticisms made by Ofsted.

The report, published by the education watchdog earlier in the year, led the Government to order that an external partner be brought in to help Bradford Council provide effective support for schools.

The authority has already accepted recommendations from consultants Pricewaterhouse Coopers for a strategic partnership.

Now it is asking for the opinions of parents, schools and everyone else involved in education on its proposals for improving its services to schools.

The result will form part of the specification for the external partner - likely to be a private company.

Malcolm Halliday, chairman of the monitoring panel set up to oversee the action plan, said: "Our aim is to ensure that every parent, teacher or anyone else in the district who has an interest in the future of education locally, is given a chance to comment on the draft action plan if they want to."

All parents are to receive a summary of the draft plan with an invitation to respond and details of how to obtain a full copy of the document.

They are also being invited to attend three consultation meetings being held across the district next week. These will be attended by other education 'partners' such as the police, health authorities, business organisations and community groups.

They will take place at:

lLeeds Road Hospital, Bradford on Monday, October 3 at 7pm

lNew Mill, Saltaire on Wednesday, October 5 at 7pm

lCarlisle Business Centre on Friday, October 7 at 9am.

Places can be booked by contacting Jackie Walters or Sally Coleman in the Ofsted action team on (01274) 751465 or by fax on (01274) 751906.

They can also supply full copies of both the Ofsted report and the draft action plan and can be written to at Flockton House, Flockton Road, Bradford, BD4 7RY or e-mailed at sally.coleman@bradford.gov.uk.

Copies of both documents can be downloaded from the internet at www.ngfl.ac.uk/leaofsted.htm.

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