UK's education inspector stands down

LONDON, England -- The UK's Chief Inspector of Schools, Chris Woodhead, has resigned.

In a statement, the Department for Education and Employment said Woodhead was leaving to work for The Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Education Secretary David Blunkett thanked him for his work during his six years as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector.

"Chris Woodhead has made a significant contribution to the Government's drive to raise school standards," he said.

Woodhead's resignation followed a clash on Wednesday with parliament's education committee.

Blunkett said they had worked hard together on the drive to inspect all local education authorities, put in place a more flexible inspection regime and ensured the co-ordination of inspections across England.

"Under his stewardship, Ofsted has played an important role in backing up the Government's decision to introduce daily literacy and numeracy hours in schools and our decision to introduce a clearer timetable for turning around failing schools, which recent figures have shown to be clearly successful," he told the UK's Press Association.

Woodhead, 54, will work for the newspaper as a consultant on educational, cultural and social matters.

Charles Moore, the newspaper's editor, said he was delighted by Woodhead's appointment.

A spokesman for the newspaper said Woodhead would be joining its staff in the spring of next year.

"His advice will be of immense benefit to our readers and to the cause of good education," said Moore.

During his tenure at Ofsted, Woodhead became renowned for his ruthless efficiency -- and a style that alienated many teachers and heads.

Doug McAvoy, head of the National Union of Teachers, said: "There will be no tears, only cheers from teachers at Mr Woodhead's departure.

"Everything he has done had demoralised teachers."

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Electronic Telegraph

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