Tony Blair's visit was designed to showcase plans to join three Halesowen schools to form Halesowen Educational Trust.

Under proposals Windsor High will link up with Leasowes Community College and The Earls High.

The three schools will work together to form partnerships with organisations including businesses, Halesowen College and Wolverhampton University.

They will be among just 14 in the country which are expected to become Trust schools this September, after proposals have gone out for public consultation.

Trust schools opt out of Local Educational Authority control and self-govern, with funding coming direct from central Government.

Keith Sorrell said Windsor, The Earls and Leasowes had been working together for some years, but the Trust status would make the "flagship" collaboration official.

He said: "We are a model of best practice. Wherever we go people are hugely impressed with what we have done here in Halesowen."

Mr Blair said: "Trust status's big effect will be to raise standards by making the job of education the whole community, not just the school but also businesses and universities."

Sylvia Heal MP said she was very proud of the work the schools had done towards Trust status which will "make a huge difference to raise standards for young people in Halesowen."

Under the Trust scheme schools are encouraged to develop specialist areas and to work with businesses, which offer advice, expertise and direction.