A SENIOR education officer at Swindon Council has resigned as the department publishes its initial proposals for correcting weaknesses highlighted in its Ofsted report.

Norrie Porter, the school organisation manager, was one of the most senior members of the local education authority and a chief advisor on school closures, new schools and changes in school admission numbers.

That was one of the many areas heavily criticised by the Ofsted inspectors in their report of September 14 as lacking strategic direction and management.

Under the school organisation section of the report, it said the LEA had "sustained inefficiency and insecurity at unacceptable levels" and lost the confidence of its schools.

Mr Porter asked for voluntary severance of his contract and left the council last Friday, coinciding with the council publishing its draft action plan to answer the recommendations made by Ofsted.

He follows Ian Bennett, the former head of strategic services at the LEA, who was seconded to the chief executive's department several weeks ago.

Mr Porter's responsibilities have been temporarily taken over by two independent consultants, while Mr Bennett's role has been taken over by officers seconded from Hampshire LEA.

Any permanent replacements will only be made once a new LEA is formed in agreement between the council and the Government.

Director of education Mike Lusty remains in charge of the LEA and is determined to stay to help turn things around.

He said: "Norrie chose to leave. We are still waiting to see what direction the LEA is moving in and what composition it will have before any permanent appointments to senior positions can be made.

"Hopefully that clarification will come in the next few weeks."

The draft action plan is now being circulated around schools and can be read on the council's website.

Members of the public are invited to comment on the proposals, which are intended to address the 46 recommendations of the Ofsted report.

Due to the tight schedules, it is still being worked on and can be altered during the consultation period, which ends next Friday. That is so the final plan can be printed in time to be submitted to the Department for Education and Skills by December 21.

Dr Lusty said: "This plan has been written during a period of uncertainty for the LEA. We said we would get it out by now in whatever state and we have, but it needs a lot more work and is subject to change.

"Some of the recommendations are fundamental to the role of the modern LEA and actions are planned to tackle those immediately. Others, while still important, will take longer to address. But most important is that everyone in Swindon feels free to play a part in responding to the Ofsted report."