Ofsted boss quits to join schools firm

EDUCATION watchdog Ofsted was plunged into further turmoil today after the chairman quit to take up a job running a private schools firm.

Zenna Atkins will leave in August to become chief executive of GEMS Education, a profit-making global chain of independent schools. She insisted her departure was not prompted by political disagreements between Ofsted and Tory ministers, who have been critical of the watchdog's record.

But the news follows reports that Ofsted's chief inspector Christine Gilbert had come under pressure to quit from Education Secretary Michael Gove. Ms Gilbert is married to former Labour minister Tony McNulty and had faced allegations of cronyism when she was appointed.

Ms Atkins told the Standard she maintained a good relationship with Ms Gilbert and Mr Gove. "I passionately believe in what Michael Gove is trying to do," she said. "I have absolutely no reason to believe that his relationship with me is any different."

She said she was "really excited" by government plans to allow private groups and parents to take a bigger role running schools.