Mark Pattison, the new managing director of education in Bradford, could never be accused of a lack of ambition for the pupils in the city's schools. His stated goal of making this the best city in the country for exam results in the next ten years is to be applauded.

It is a tremendous target to aim for, and actually not as fantastic as it sounds. All cities have problem inner-city areas and difficult social situations. City-based results will not be as difficult to beat as those in rural and suburban areas like county council authorities.

Even so, it is a tremendously ambitious goal. Without wishing to pour cold water over such a burning ambition, we trust that Mr Pattison has considered very carefully the prospects of achieving it. It's part of the Bradford nature to be cynical about what can be taken to be wild promises, and to take a perverse delight in saying "I told you so" if they don't come off.

There are also immense social problems that have hampered Bradford's educational achievement. It is not simply down to the way the schools are run.

But that said, why shouldn't Bradford be ambitious, set itself difficult targets and aspire to great things? There is a long history of pioneering in education in this city. Bradford is pioneering again with the appointment of private company Serco to run the schools in partnership with the Council.

Let's hope that this turns out to be another success for the city to add to what has been, until comparatively recently, a proud record on matters educational.