 Inspectors said children were helped to reach their full potential |
East Renfrewshire has become the first council in Scotland to be awarded full marks by school inspectors. They gave the top grading for all educational 11 benchmarks against which the local authority was measured.
The council has the best exam results in Scotland. Almost half of fifth year pupils pass three Highers.
Inspectors singled out the council's success in closing gaps between more disadvantaged and affluent parts of East Renfrewshire.
School chiefs were praised also for encouraging citizenship, healthy living, music, arts culture and sport.
The report, carried out with the Accounts Commission, stressed that East Renfrewshire was much more than a "leafy suburb".
It highlighted figures showing the authority covers one of the most ethnically diverse populations in Scotland.
Education convener, Councillor Mary Montague, said: "Everyone in the council is enormously proud of this report which shows that we are the best education service in Scotland.
'Effective and efficient'
"Not only do we have the top performing schools in Scotland, but we have official confirmation that we have an education service - ably supported by all council departments - which is both effective and efficient."
Authority leader, Councillor Jim Fletcher, said: "This report tells everyone in East Renfrewshire and beyond that this council is delivering exactly what the Scottish Executive wants and that is services which are value for money and efficient.
 | PERCENTAGE OF FIFTH YEARS PASSING THREE HIGHERS Glasgow: 12% Scottish average: 22% East Renfrewshire: 45% |
"We have the best education service in Scotland and everyone in East Renfrewshire can be proud of all that it achieves."
The council suggested to ministers last year that children aged 11 could sit exams usually taken by 15-year-olds.
It argued that primary seven pupils should be allowed to sit Intermediate One, the new equivalent of general level Standard Grade.
But Brian Boyd, Professor of Education at the University of Strathclyde, raised concern that too much emphasis was being placed on examination results.
Prof Boyd said: "What we need to look at is educating the whole child, so we need to look at recognising the achievements across the board and not have a narrow focus on things that can lead to league tables."
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We have an education service which is both effective and efficient
