A PIONEERING project is promising a first class education for every learner in a North-East town.

The Hartlepool Education Commission, a body representing the local authority, schools, academies, colleges, councillors, employers, parents and young people, recently unveiled a blueprint to help shape the future of education in the town.

Speaking at the launch, Gill Alexander, Hartlepool Council’s chief executive, said: “The Hartlepool Education Commission Report is about shaping the future of education in Hartlepool. We want an education system that is the best in the world.

"The world is constantly changing and young people must be taught the right skills to prepare them for future employment. We need to prepare our children for the future and it will be challenging.”

Professor Steve Higgins of Durham University, chairman of the commission, said: “Just about everyone we have met over the last year has the same vision for Hartlepool - for every child and young person to have the best possible chance to grow into successful, fulfilled and responsible citizens as members of a vibrant community.

“We are confident and excited about the direction that we think Hartlepool’s schools and communities should take and in future years other localities looking for ways to improve should be seeking to learn the lessons from Hartlepool’s success."

The are several recommendations in the 56-page report and the organisers say the next step is to establish an Education Improvement Board to drive forward the various ideas.