FOR generations, Swindon's educators basked in the warmth of a good reputation. But dark clouds gathered.

In recent years, Churchfields, Hreod Parkway and Headlands secondary schools have been placed under special measures after a caning by the Ofsted inspectors.

And worse was to come. The borough education department itself was hammered, director of education Mike Lusty resigned after a period of sick leave and an outside team was brought in temporarily to run it.

Swindon's collective GCSE and SATs results are still below the national average but improve-ments have begun to show.

Hilary Pitts is now in charge as director of education and Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Nine Elms and Shaw), lead member for education, is confident there is a rosier future ahead.

Plans are in the pipeline for a massive building programme.

"By the end of February we should know whether we are going to be able to replace the secondary schools in Swindon," said Coun Perkins.

Campus developments are envisaged which will put neighbourhood infants and junior schools together on single sites. There are also plans to redevelop St Joseph's upper and lower schools units on a single site.

Proposals to build a campus for the University of Bath, when a planning row over two possible sites has been resolved, promise a further important chapter in the history of education in Swindon.