Council Chief Education Officer set to retire next year

Wrexham Council have announced that one of their Chief Officers will be retiring next year.

Ian Roberts, Chief Officer for Education and Early Intervention, will be retiring from his post with Wrexham Council in August after working for Wrexham council since 2017 – and having spent 35 years working in the field of eduction in the public sector.

Ian said: “I’m sad to say that I shall be retiring from my role on August 31 next year.

“I began working at the authority in May 2017 and although it has been a relatively short tenure I have thoroughly enjoyed providing leadership to education services in Wrexham and thank the Council and its leadership – both politically and at officer level for being incredibly supportive during my time here.

“I would also like to thank the staff in the Education and Early Intervention Department, our headteachers and governing bodies, who have at all times demonstrated a strong intent and commitment to provide the very best education for the children and young people of the County Borough.

“Whilst there are many challenges ahead there is much to celebrate in Wrexham. In particular we have some of the best primary schools in Wales in Wrexham, our results at Key Stage 3 have improved and are now above the Welsh average, and we are committed to supporting schools to achieve sustainable improvements at Key Stage 4.

“In addition we are delivering some fantastic projects under the 21st Century Schools programme, including new schools, remodelled schools and extensions.”

He added: “Our Education services were recently inspected by the inspection body Estyn, and we await the results of that in the very near future.

“I will, of course, be here to start carrying out whatever work the outcome of the inspection requires, and to ensure as smooth as possible a transition to whoever it is who succeeds me.

Ian added: “My leaving date will mark 35 years to the day since I began working in the field of education in the public sector and I’m privileged to have had the opportunity to work for Wrexham County Borough Council before I decided to retire.”