ABSTRACT
In England and Wales the provision of education services is delegated to local education authorities (LEAs). These are areas based on metropolitan districts or county councils. The former cover some major cities including my own authority, Sheffield. They are characteristically metropolitan conurbations with perhaps some rural fringes. The counties, on the other hand, are usually geographically larger and mainly rural, although some include large towns and cities. For example, Nottinghamshire County Council incorporates the city of Nottingham.
