Second education director to step down

A SECOND council education director has announced his intention to step down.

Neath Port Talbot council’s director of education, Aled Evans, will leave the post next March.

The news follows the announcement that Cardiff council education director Nick Batchelar is retiring at the end of next month.

Neath Port Talbot council said in a statement: “Mr Evans was appointed director of education, leisure and lifelong learning at Neath Port Talbot council in 2013 and during his tenure the directorate has been successfully inspected by Estyn, securing good outcomes across all aspects, has delivered an ambitious 21st Century Schools programme and seen standards improve year on year within Neath Port Talbot schools.”

A former head teacher and school adviser, Mr Evans had formerly been head of Education Development and Inclusion Services at Neath Port Talbot.

Neath Port Talbot council leader Cllr Rob Jones said: “We are clearly disappointed to be losing someone of Aled’s considerable skills and long experience who has been leading our schools service through what has undoubtedly been its most difficult period during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We thank him for his service and wish him well for the future.”

Cardiff council announced last month that it has appointed Melanie Godfrey as new director for education and lifelong learning.

She will take up the post in November after a handover from Mr Batchelar, who is retiring at the end of October after more than seven years in post.