YORK’s education boss said 2009 had been a good year for the city’s children with more good news to come this year.

Coun Carol Runciman, City of York Council’s executive member for children and young people’s services, said while 2009 had gone out on a “high note” for the department, the New Year was also beginning with a special event.

Coun Runciman said: “This year has ended with the department getting its inspection report – the CAA, or Comprehensive Area Assessment.

“The CAA gave us an ‘excellent’ rating and also a green flag for services for children with disabilities, which is very rare.

“Only nine other children’s services departments got excellent and very few got any green flags at all, let alone in such a complex area.”

Today York was scheduled to stage the national conference NEEC 2010 – formerly called the North of England Education Conference – at The Royal York Hotel.

A line-up of nationally-known speakers in the fields of education and children’s services was expected to address delegates from all over the country.

Coun Runciman said other highlights for 2010 will be the opening of the new Joseph Rowntree School next month, and the plans for two new primary school buildings for Rawcliffe/Clifton Without and for Our Lady’s/English Martyr’s, which she said were progressing well. The final children’s centre at Knavesmire Primary School was also due for completion this year.

The search for more foster carers will also continue this year which will help more York children to remain in their home city rather than being fostered outside the area.

Anyone who wants to know more about fostering should phone 01904 555310.

Coun Runciman said: “It will be an interesting and challenging year, with a General Election in the middle of it – enough to keep us all well occupied.”