BOLTON'S schools were today praised by the man most feared in education.

Chief Inspector of schools Chris Woodhead said: "Bolton Metro is a competent local education authority, and one that is well placed to take the education service forward."

Inspectors who slated Rochdale and Manchester spent eight months researching today's report before concluding that Bolton Council serves more than 100 schools within the borough well.

Bolton's new education chief, Cllr Linda Thomas, was questioned soon after taking the job and said waiting for it be published was like waiting for GCSEs, A-levels and a degree rolled into one.

She said: "It's a good report and everybody throughout the department and schools should be very proud of what the authority has achieved."

The report says the council as a whole is committed to raising educational standards and good strategic planning means resources are well targeted and education policies promote the wider agenda of social inclusion and economic regeneration. Inspectors single out two of the council's more controversial policies for praise -- the review of primary places and new cabinet style government. They paint a picture of an authority that is coping well with the fast pace of change and say education chiefs have a good relationship with schools which have a high level of confidence and trust in the LEA.

Secondary heads spokesman John Baumber of Rivington and Blackrod said: "One of the reasons I came to Bolton is that I wanted to work in an area that had strong, effective partnerships and I have not been disappointed."

Mike Chapman of Brandwood CP spoke for primary headteachers and said: "I am pleased the report highlights the vision of the leadership and the way schools, the LEA and elected members work well together."

Bolton's education director, Margaret Blenkinsop, was singled out for praise for driving through the difficult changes while supporting schools and maintaining goodwill.

She praised her team, which was described as very committed. She added: "They are very dynamic and schools respond well to that. But that's the way it is in Bolton -- everyone wants what is best for children in the town and is prepared to work that bit harder to achieve it." Ofsted say Bolton has few weaknesses but standards in English need to be improved and the LEA needs to evaluate its own performance more stringently.

Its greatest challenge for the future is convincing schools that they must stand on their own two feet and giving successful headteachers more freedom to raise their own standards without constant monitoring.

Director Margaret Blenkinsop said the council has already started to address these concerns. Education chiefs are considering setting up a board so schools can take a step out on their own but continue working together and plans for a Literacy Trust are already underway.

Cllr Linda Thomas said: "They are saying schools must do more self evaluation and we already working towards this autonomous approach.

"But Ofsted rightly point out the high quality relationships within Bolton and we want to maintain this community of schools."