Bradford Council's decision to ask parents for their views on the city's education action plan is an important step.

Four months have passed since the Ofsted report was published into the state of education in the district but the way forward is still to be decided.

The action plan, produced at the request of the Ofsted inspectors, will pave the way for plans to improve education in the district.

It is important that everyone in education - and that includes parents - is given a chance to participate, given that it affects everyone of us directly or indirectly.

Organisations such as businesses, police and health authorities are also invited to participate.

It is only right that the local education authority opens up the consultation procedure as widely as possible.

Open meetings have been organised and council officers have been made available by telephone, e-mail and fax to answer queries.

For Bradford's education system to be run by a partnership is a massive step for the district.

But given that raising standards is so crucial across the whole of Bradford, it is essential that the authority gets it right.

Ultimately, however, the most important thing is that we start to see improvements before too long in our schools and the results they achieve in both examinations and national league table positions.