Michael
Stevenson decides to leave the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ
Michael
Stevenson, Joint Director of Factual and Learning, has decided to
leave the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ.
For
the last three and a half years he has developed and led the application
to create the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ's Digital Curriculum. Consent was granted in early
January 2003.
Last
summer, Michael Stevenson held discussions with a potential distribution
partner for the Digital Curriculum.
An
internal inquiry has confirmed that the discussions were impermissible
in the light of ongoing legal proceedings concerning the basis of
the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ's application for new service consent and prior to the Secretary
of State's decision.
The
Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ apologised in court for this.
Michael
Stevenson said: "I
made an error of judgement and, as a consequence, I have decided
to leave the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ, taking responsibility for what happened.
"Having
worked so long to create the Digital Curriculum, I am proud that
consent has been achieved and confident of the benefits it will
bring.
"I
have loved my time at the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ and the chance to work with so many
talented and dedicated people. I am confident the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ's learning
strategy is now strong and forward-looking."
Greg
Dyke, Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Director-General, said: "Michael's
decision comes just three weeks after the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ gained approval for
the Digital Curriculum - principally because of Michael's vision,
commitment and hard work, in extremely complex circumstances, over
a number of years.
"I'd
like to put on record my appreciation of Michael's wider contribution
in putting learning at the heart of the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ's services.
"Michael
has been criticised in the Digital Curriculum Inquiry report and
has taken the honourable decision to leave the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ. I respect the
way he has acted in taking this course of action.
"I
am sad that Michael is leaving the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ and wish him well for the
future."
Notes
to Editors
Settlement
of judicial review proceedings between the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ and 18 education
software providers (27.01.03)
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