Schools in Rawdon, Guiseley, Horsforth, Otley and Pudsey were set to be removed from council control today as the Government ordered the privatisation of Leeds education authority.

The move follows a review by management consultants Pricewaterhouse Cooper, who began looking at the way forward for Bradford education this week.

Schools standards minister Estelle Morris was expected to announce this afternoon that a joint venture company will take over the £300m service, with a Government-approved private-education contractor working with existing council staff.

The model bears a striking similarity to the one being prepared by Bradford Council chiefs, before the Government intervened.

There will be a five-strong management board in Leeds which specifically excludes local councillors - the partnership board suggested for Bradford reduced the influence of elected local politicians to a minimal level.

Leeds has gone through a similar process to the one Bradford is in the middle of. Both were criticised by Chief Inspector of Schools Chris Woodhead after highly critical Ofsted reports.

The same firm of consultants has been appointed in both cases and Ms Morris has made it clear she will not be happy unless there is a similarly radical solution for Bradford.

The main difference has been in the attitude of the respective authorities.

The changes were bitterly resisted in Leeds but in Bradford the council prepared its own privatisation model in advance and is seeking to work closely with consultants.

Lead member for the consultation process in Bradford, Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, hopes this approach will pay dividends.

She wants a solution tailor-made for the district with input from local sources.