THE Reebok Stadium became the focal point in the world of education . . . by hosting a regional event that was in a class of its own.

The two-day annual North West Education Conference was based in Bolton on Thursday and Friday.

And the non-stop programme of events and lectures gave participants a lesson in just about every aspect of education.

Stalls displaying equipment for schools and exhibits showing the latest in educational technology were on show.

In addition all the latest advances in educational thinking, practices and technology were discussed and explained. Seminars ran throughout both days with a wide range of speakers.

The BEN stand revealed its developments within Newspapers In Education, and sponsored speaker Gervase Phinn.

His lecture in the Lion of Vienna Suite was packed with about 300 people and Gervase used examples of the BEN's work within education in his speech. The variety of speeches also ranged from including pupils with behavioural difficulties, understanding the development of inclusive practices in schools, making literacy vibrant, and The Dyslexic in the Classroom, to GCSE Changes 2001, making lunchtime positive, literacy on the Internet and models of excellence -- the foundation for building a career.

Among exhibitors were members of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics, school publishers and Internet companies.