OFSTED chief Sir Michael Wilshaw met a Dunstable headteacher during a fact-finding visit to Central Beds.
He talked to three heads, including Rebecca Baker, of Beecroft Lower School, and Central Beds councillors.
Sir Michael heard how Central Beds Council is using new powers to make a difference to schools in the area.
Councillors spoke of innovative approaches which they have been encouraging schools to take to boost improvements.
That includes supporting schools to change their age range, encouraging school-to-school support and commissioning improvement through the Central Bedfordshire Teaching School Partnership.
A discussion also took place about work that the council, schools and children’s centres are carrying out to secure the best possible educational chances for the most vulnerable pupils.
The Beecroft Lower head discussed the key role of early intervention and children’s centres in preparing young children for learning in schools.
