EDUCATION in Oxfordshire is suffering from slow decision-making and "damaging delays" on important issues, school watchdogs revealed.

A detailed study into Oxfordshire's Local Education Authority said the county's hung council - in existence for nearly 15 years - had adversely influenced aspects of the decision-making process.

Schools also told the inspectors from Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, that the authority's decision to fund education below Government recommendations had led to poor results.

But Ofsted's 32-page report says the education authority has substantially addressed outstanding issues, and its changes to the structure of the education department have resulted in a clear, strategic direction for school improvement.

Overall, the LEA has more strengths than weaknesses and is described as "very lean and well-run".

It adds that bosses have recognised that the most pressing issue for Oxfordshire is the under-performance of many schools and have taken steps to raise levels, with money targeted at specific projects.

The report highlights a wide gap between performing and under-performing schools and says there are too many where there is substantial under-achievement.

Story date: January 26, 2000

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Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.