PUPILS in Cheshire West and Chester (CWaC)are better behaved than almost a third of the country, according to Education Secretary Ed Balls.

The Cabinet minister sent letters to 43 education authorities where the majority of pupils’ behaviour was rated as just satisfactory.

But it has been confirmed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families that CWaC did not receive a letter.

It comes after Mr Balls announced plans to improve behaviour in classrooms across the country.

A list of 100 Lead Behaviour Schools is being drawn up to mentor those neighbouring schools where disruptive pupils are an issue.

The first 20 were revealed last week and, although there was not any school included from Cheshire West and Chester, the council’s education bosses are hoping for an inclusion within the remaining 80.

Education and children portfolio holder Arthur Harada said Government funding should also be spent on successful authorities, rather than just those where schools are struggling.

He said: “We are concentrating on raising standards academically as behaviour is not one of our major issues.

“I am not saying that every child is marvellously behaved but we do not suffer the same sort of issues as those other 43 local authorities.

“Obviously Ed Balls has got some money to spend but he does not feel that Cheshire West and Chester needs it. That is a good thing on one hand but, of course, we would always be grateful for some extra funding if he wanted to reward excellence.”

The remaining 80 Behaviour Lead Schools will be named between spring and September. The only North West school included in the first 20 was Hawkley Hall in Wigan.