THE final curtain falls on Leigh Education Action Zone on December 31 . . . its five-year mission fully accomplished.

And the Zone ends with an impressive testament to the success of the Government-backed assignment.

Independent education consultant Joan Greenfield was commissioned to complete a comprehensive evaluation of the Zone, reporting to the Action Forum and ultimately to the DfES.

Her report was presented to the Action Forum at their final meeting at Bedford High School on December 17.

Most successful

Project director Alan Dutton, justifiably proud of the Zone's achievements, said: "This report crowns five years of success working with our 26 schools. We are thrilled to be recognised as the most successful Education Action Zone in the country."

Summing up her glowing report, Joan Greenfield, reflecting on Zone branding during its final phase, writes: "The Zone has certainly become a 'Village of Schools' and the schools have become Stronger Together which is likely to be sustained in the transformation into an Excellence Cluster.

"Many of the initiatives are likely to be sustained. Leigh EAZ has responded well to the views and needs of its schools and has also ensured that the principles on which Education Action Zones were established have been adhered to.

"It is to the credit of all partners involved with the Zone that the goals have been realised so well."

The 26 schools of Leigh EAZ will gather under a new Excellence Cluster from January 2004.