A top Ofsted inspector is joining Suffolk County Council as a senior troubleshooter in a bid to turn around disappointing school exam results.

Nikki Edwards, who joins the council on July 21, is currently a managing inspector responsible for 180 inspectors working across the Midlands and the east of England.

She is moving to the council as assistant director for education and learning as part of a major shake up of top council bureaucrats which will see the number of people in her grade cut from six to four.

Formerly a teacher and headteacher, Mrs Edwards has 22 years' experience of working in education and improving standards.

As executive headteacher at Berrybrook Primary School in Wolverhampton, she led the school from special measures to being rated good with outstanding features by Ofsted.

She has been a headteacher at a small rural primary school in Shropshire and also worked for a number of education trusts, where she was responsible for school improvement.

She said: 'I'm tremendously proud to be taking on this role at such a significant time for Suffolk County Council.

'Throughout my career, making sure young people are given the

best possible education has been fundamental to everything I do. This continues to be my focus.'

This new role will bring together leadership of the council teams responsible for education – including school improvement, school infrastructure, special educational needs and inclusion.

Lisa Chambers, cabinet member for education, said: 'I am delighted that we have appointed Nikki to this important role which will have a positive impact on our drive to improve educational attainment in Suffolk.'