THE man in charge of Swindon's beleaguered education service will take early retirement next year.

Director of education Dr Mike Lusty told senior councillors that he feels the time is right to leave.

It follows a dismal year in which Swindon's education department was severely criticised by Government inspectors, who said schools and pupils in the town were being badly let down by officials and senior councillors.

The department was effectively placed into special measures, and officials from Hampshire County Council were brought in to offer advice.

Dr Lusty's right hand man, head of strategic services in education and community, Ian Bennett, will also retire from the council next year.

The departures were announced at a private meeting last night.

Dr Lusty, who has been with the council since October 1996, said: "Leading Swindon LEA through its first five years has been an exciting, if challenging, task. It has been a privilege to work with so many committed colleagues in schools and within the council in taking the educational agenda forward.

"Much has been done to address the issues highlighted in the Ofsted report of June 2001, but much still remains to be done. I have therefore asked the council to consider retiring me during 2002 to allow a smooth handover to any new arrangements which the council might wish to put in place."

School inspectors found serious weaknesses in 17 key areas of the education system and uncovered a climate of confusion, suspicion and mistrust. The report led to a vote of no confidence in the town's Labour administration in September, with Coun Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) stepping into the role of council leader.

At the time of the report none of those in charge volunteered to resign except Coun Chris Eley (Lab Walcot), the lead member for education, who said he was ashamed to be part of a council that played political games with the town's schools.

Dr Lusty said he wanted to work with schools on a rapid response to the report's recommendations.

It was revealed last month that Mr Bennett was being moved to the chief executive's office. A lack of direction on strategies, his main responsibility, was one of the key themes of the Ofsted report.

Work on the 47 recommendations in the Ofsted report was well underway, including the drafting of an Educational Development Plan. An Education Partnership Steering Group was formed, headed by Professor Ian Jamieson from the University of Bath and including officers from Hampshire.

Dr Lusty's last day will be finalised in the New Year and, with his help, it is hoped new arrangements for Swindon LEA will be agreed in time for the start of the summer term 2002 or shortly afterwards.

Leaders of Swindon's three political parties unanimously praised Dr Lusty's service.

Coun Mike Bawden, the leader of the council, said: "We have an important task ahead of us with our Ofsted Action Plan and Mike feels it appropriate that his successor should lead the service in that challenge. I would like to thank him for his efforts for Swindon."

Coun Sue Bates, leader of the Labour group, said: "Mike Lusty has demonstrated a wholehearted commitment to the Swindon Education Service."

Coun Mike Evemy, leader of the Liberal Democrat group also wished him well.