The Education Service is highly valued and features as one of the priorities for the County Council. The budgetary investment is proportionately high – evidenced by the high average pupil funding compared with other LEAs in Wales. Re-established as a County Council in 1996, Ceredigion is one of the most rural and smallest of counties in terms of population in Wales. Many of its 76 primary and 7 secondary schools are among the smallest in Wales. However, the level of attainment of pupils, particularly at G.C.S.E. and A. levels are amongst the highest. The Authority has been at the vanguard of curriculum and staff development with initiatives such as "Roots and Wings" and CASE; a significant number of schools have achieved the Quality Mark and "Investors in People" status. The Authority has displayed characteristic ingenuity in enhancing opportunities to improve school facilities through initiatives such as PFI and the Wales Challenge Fund.