'Positive' start to school action

The council said it was beginning to "see rewards"

Schools inspector Estyn has said Denbighshire Council has made "good progress" in improving education services.

Inspectors said the authority had shown improved leadership and the county's teachers had increased confidence.

Education services were severely criticised by Estyn last year in reports which led to the ousting of former council leader Rhiannon Hughes.

The council was forced to devise an action plan for schools improvement.

In a statement, the council claimed its chief executive Ian Miller had received a letter from Estyn which said there was a "clearer direction" for education services following a monitoring visit in February.

The authority said Estyn had noted its "innovative" work in partnership with the local health board to reduce absences through medical visits.

"Positive"

It added that the number of permanent exclusions was also down.

Welcoming the comments, Mr Miller said: "There are many positive comments in the report, which serves to highlight the fact that we have taken on board and acted upon the recommendations Estyn has put forward.

"I commend staff for their efforts and we are beginning to see the rewards already.

"There are still some areas for further work, which we will be concentrating on before the next monitoring visit in May, but this is a positive start."

Estyn confirmed a letter had been sent to the local authority and education minister Jane Hutt.

Last year, in a critical report, Estyn concluded that the council had failed to address poor performances.

The shortcomings identified by Estyn were described as "unacceptable" by Jane Hutt.

Council leader Rhiannon Hughes later lost a vote of no confidence and was replaced by councillor Hugh Evans.

In December, the council submitted a £700,000 action plan to improve standards to the Welsh Assembly Government and Estyn.