EDUCATION in Worcestershire will receive a huge morale boost if national inspectors carry through plans to rank the LEA among the best in the country.

LEAs are rated from one to seven - with "one" the best - and during the county council's last inspection, from Ofsted and the Audit Commision, they were awarded a "two".

However, after an overwhelmingly positive response from Worcestershire's schools to a national survey this summer, Ofsted are preparing to reassess and upgrade the county.

The final decision will be made during a further inspection of the council's service in January 2004, but director of education, Julien Kramer, is in confident mood.

"I think we will achieve a 'one' because the vast majority of the schools I have spoken to are happy with the support we are giving them, and the services we offer," he said.

"If we are moved up a place we will be in the top 10 of around 150 LEAs in the country. This is based on how happy schools are with our services and what they think of us as an authority.

"It's great to know we have the backing of schools right across Worcestershire."

The internet-based survey was carried out at the end of last academic year and 61 per cent of county schools took part - almost double the national average of 33 per cent.

Of those who filled in the voluntary questionnaire, 96 per cent said the county council's education directorate was excellent or very good, while none said it was poor.

Mr Kramer said being ranked a "one" would be a tremendous result after the financial hardships of the last year.

"It would offer us the chance to try new policies and possibly a little more freedom to act as we see fit, but that is not the main reason to be listed among the best," said Julien Kramer.

"I spend £236m of taxpayers' money a year and there are 82,000 students and 10,500 school staff in Worcestershire.

"As a county council we want people to be reassured that we are doing a good job and that we are looking after everybody's education, jobs and money in the right way."