Days after a damning report into the island’s education system was published, the civil servant in charge has quit.

Professor Ronald Barr had been the Department of Education, Sport and Culture’s chief executive for seven years.

His time there was marked in the last few years by bad industrial relations with teaching unions.

During his time as chief executive, he was accountable for a budget in excess of £100 million and responsible for more than 1,700 full and part time staff.

The department’s responsibilities include pre-school assessment, primary, secondary and tertiary education as well as the National Sports Centre and Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre complex.

He said: ’After more than 13 years working in education in the Isle of Man, it is time for a change.

’It has been my privilege to work with many of the island’s educators as we have sought to improve educational opportunities and standards.

’I wish the Isle of Man Government and all those working throughout the department every success in meeting the undoubted challenges ahead.’

Minister for Education, Sport and Culture Dr Alex Allinson MHK said: ’I sincerely thank Professor Barr for his dedication not only to the department, but to education as a whole. I would like to thank him for his commitment and wish him the very best for the future.’

Professor Barr lectured in the United States of America, Scotland and England before moving to the Isle of Man to become the deputy principal with responsibility for higher education at University College Isle of Man. He later became its principal.