Five schools have been praised for their achievements in the annual report of the Government's Chief Inspector of Schools.

The report also named West Sussex County Council as having the best local education authority in England and Wales.

Schools mentioned in Mike Tomlinson's report are the Palatine Special School, Worthing; Millais School, Horsham; the Weald School, Billingshurst; Loxwood Primary School, near Billingshurst; and Rose Green Infants School, Bognor.

The report praises improvements made at Bewbush First School in Crawley which was released from special measures during the past year.

Mr Tomlinson says: "West Sussex, perhaps more than any local education authority yet inspected, demonstrated the impact of outstanding professional leadership on the quality of education leading to consistently-excellent performances in virtually all service areas."

The report also names the West Sussex youth service as the best in England and Wales for provision of services for teenagers and value for money.

Sally Greenwell, West Sussex Cabinet member for education, said she was delighted with the glowing report from Mr Tomlinson.

She said: "It reflects great credit on everyone involved with the education service."