THE positive relationship between schools and a Teesside Local Education Authority (LEA) has been hailed as a model of good practice at a national conference.

Two of Hartlepool's headteachers, Lana Totty, from St Helen's Primary School, and Andrew Bayston, from St Hild's School, joined the council's former director of education, Jeremy Fitt, in giving presentations at the Audit Commission event in London on Friday.

Their attendance at the Covent Garden conference, called Ten of the Best, reflected Hartlepool's top ten status nationally in terms of the LEA's partnership with schools.

Town schools were asked to comment on services provided by the LEA, including school meals, building maintenance, technical ICT support, financial support and personnel advice.

Particular praise was given to school improvement and special educational needs provision.

Mrs Totty said: "I was delighted to be given the opportunity to flag up Hartlepool as an example of good practice and a model for others to follow.

"We highlighted the mutual respect and trust that exists between schools and the local authority, and the close working partnership that operates so effectively."

Adrienne Simcock, who this summer succeeded Mr Fitt as the council's first director of children's services, said: "Hartlepool schools have been extremely successful in improving pupil achievement at primary and secondary level, as can be seen in recent GCSE and SATs results.

"The positive partnership that exists between schools and the LEA is at the heart of such achievements, and something that we are rightly very proud of."