Education director Mike Peters can take with him a glowing end-of-term report from Ofsted, which, when published in May, confirmed he and his staff had done a good job in developing a new department.

But what he also takes with him are memories of five enjoyable and eventful years in the city, overseeing the establishment of the City of York Council's education department.

Probably the most dramatic night of his time here was when he was called out to Park Grove Primary School in the early hours of February 28, 1997.

After the fire, the council worked with the school, parents and residents on the planning of the new interior and the building and opening of the "new" school.

Other building developments have seen Canon Lee School's three-storey block, a library extension at Millthorpe School, and a soon-to-be-started £2million refurbishment of Burnholme Community College.

The five years have also seen difficult issues to resolve, including the problem of spare secondary school places in the city, which eventually led to the closure of Queen Anne School.

Taking over some schools from the old Ryedale and Selby districts and some from York city also presented the challenge of introducing a common admissions policy for secondary schools, which now means they all have their own catchment areas.

Mr Peters and his team have also carved out an identity for the new local education authority.

The service for helping school governors has been built up, and the number of adult education courses has risen.

It has an ambitious performing arts service which has been developed to offer free services to schools on the principle that music, drama and dance shouldn't just be for the better-off, and should be an important part of children's broader education.

The council is also in the process of introducing a new admissions policy for primary school children, which will mean their formal education starts in the term after their fifth birthday, hand-in-hand with an aim to provide free early education to all children from the age of three.

And its work with children who have been excluded from school or who play truant that has attracted national acclaim, and also a place on the Government shortlist for Beacon Council status.

He said: "The success of these kids, of the most disadvantaged, is the ultimate measurement of an education service."

Mr Peters said he was most proud of the department's relationship with schools. "I believe we know the schools well, and we have supported them. We can walk into any school and they know us well and we are given a positive reception," he said.

"And I could take you to any school and show you wonderful practice there and then.

"Quality of teaching is at the heart of what we should be about."

Mr Peters, 45, a married father-of-three, is moving to become education director at inner-city Lambeth in London.

He worked there for several years as a chemistry teacher, and for Ealing Council, and was born just outside Tilbury, Essex. He went to school in Norfolk, after his family moved there with his father's job, and it was there that he failed the 11+ exam.

"You can do one of two things," he said.

"You can think that's what the world thinks of me or you can think 'I'm going to prove them wrong'."

He went on to prove them wrong in style, coming out of his secondary modern school life with a clutch of O levels, going on to get A levels and a degree, a teaching qualification at the University of York, and later his career in local government.

He is also involved in a number of government working groups on equality and education and is chairman of the National Commission for Black Staff in Further Education.

Mr Peters is succeeded in York by his deputy, Chris Edwards, who becomes acting education director until a new appointment is made.