SCHOOLS and community leaders have chosen the man they want to spearhead the new education action zone in Bolton next year.

Liverpool based Gerry McKean will start work as the EAZ supremo some time in January.

Over the next three years he will take charge of £3 million budget allocated to boost standards in 18 schools in Breightmet and Tonge.

He will be answerable to a forum made up of school, community and business representatives.

Mr McKean is a former headteacher of a Liverpool secondary school and also ran an international school in Germany.

In recent years he has been working as educational consultant for computer company ICL, advising schools and education authorities on designing and implementing systems.

As reported in the BEN, education chiefs decided to re-advertise the post because the original salary did not attract the right calibre of candidate.

Increasing the salary up to £48,000 with a generous job package attracted extra interest and Mr McKean was selected by a shadow EAZ forum set up in advance of the April start date.

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