The latest report on Bradford schools' performance in the national league tables is a mixed bag, though thankfully with more good things in it than bad.

It is good news, obviously, that the district has managed to climb 11 places up the tables. Even though it still only ranks 129th out of 149 education authorities in the country, given the low starting point that is a commendable achievement. The two Bradford schools which have been named in the top 200 most-improved schools nationally - Nab Wood and Feversham College - deserve a special pat on the back for their efforts, as does Dixons City Technology College for being named in the top 100 best-performing state schools for its GCSE results.

It is encouraging, too, that the number of pupils achieving five A* to C passes in GCSE exams has risen to the target set by the Government of 46.6 per cent from 39.6 per cent in 2004. That improved figure, though, is still well below the national average of 57.1 per cent. And it is disappointing that several Bradford schools remain in the bottom 200 in the country.

So although this latest assessment shows that important progress has been made, one swallow doesn't make a summer. We need to see sustained movement up the tables by every school to demonstrate that the investment in education in Bradford is bearing fruit.

It is very important in a city undergoing massive regeneration, and at a time when unemployment nationally is rising, that we have a well-educated and motivated future workforce ready to take full advantage of the good things that are coming.