SOUTH Bucks area education officer, Brian Edwards, is leaving to become director of education in Gateshead.

Mr Edwards joined Buckinghamshire County Council's education department in 1989 after a spell as principal education officer in Walsall.

He begins his new job, which involves overall responsibility for 80 schools, on August 1.

He said: "I am really delighted at the opportunity of becoming director of education of an LEA. It's been nine years in Bucks, and it's time for a new challenge."

He added he is proud of initiatives he has implemented in the Wycombe area.

Mr Edwards said: "I am pleased with things like the teachers' conference, organised by the Wycombe Area Alliance, and the Energise initiative. I know that those sort of things will continue in the future.

"Buckinghamshire is a tremendous place to work and, whoever takes on my present role, will enjoy it as much as I have."

A spokesman for Buckinghamshire County Council said decisions about a replacement area education manager will be made during the next two weeks.

Praise for Mr Edwards flooded in from headteachers and county council colleagues.

Peter Mooney, assistant director of education at Buckinghamshire County Council, said: "Brian has been a superb colleague, really committed to education and to the schools service in particular.

"He is full of initiative, full of enthusiasm, and has made a real difference to the education service, particularly in Wycombe.

"We will really miss him."

Headteacher of Wycombe High School, Muriel Pilkington, said: "He is going to be an impossible act to follow."

She added: "I don't envy those who will have to try to replace him."

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