Ysgol Clywedog was opened under the county's education changes

Wrexham Council chief executive Isobel Garner's comment came ahead of a report singling out education for attention.

The main concern is over the performance of some 14-16-year-olds, with GCSE results and attendance described as disappointing.

A review of the council's work went before its executive board on Tuesday.

Councillors were told that secondary schools were "significantly off track" in improving standards.

Last week, Ms Garner said there was a "horrendous problem with educational attainment".

We are very pleased with the performance in our primary schools Hywyn Williams, acting chief education officer

In Wrexham 42.4% of students sitting their GCSEs this year gained five A*-C grades, which is lower than the previous year and below the Welsh average of 52.2%.

The county was the third worst performer, beating only Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil.

During the past two years Wrexham's secondary education has been reorganised, with millions of pounds spent on merging three schools into two.

Pupils from Bryn Offa, St David's and the Groves were merged into Ysgol Clywedog and Rhosnesni High School.

The cost of the project was originally put at �12m, but that figure almost doubled to �22.5m.

Councillors will receive a report in December outlining final data for the summer 2005 GCSE and A-level results.

Hywyn Williams, Wrexham's acting chief education officer, said: "We are very pleased with the performance in our primary schools.

"We have and will continue to meet with headteachers to look at various constructive strategies to raise standards in particular at key stages three and four," he added.