The man who shaped Kent's school system has stepped down from his role at Kent County Council.

Graham Badman is retiring after seven years at the head of KCC's education.

His role had recently been expanded to include children's services, including care and social services.

He will leave his post at the end of November.

It comes a week after the resignation of the cabinet member in charge of children's services, Cllr Chris Wells (Con).

His departure, along with that of fellow cabinet member Cllr Roger Gough (Con), prompted a reshuffle of KCC's top jobs by leader Cllr Paul Carter (Con).

In a week of high-level resignations, the council also lost Adam Wilkinson, its managing director of environment and regeneration.

Mr Badman had a 40-year career in education.

During his time at KCC he took the county into the top 25 per cent of the country for school results.

When his role was expanded, he oversaw the creation of the Kent Children's Trust.

Cllr Carter said: "Graham will be greatly missed. Kent has benefited from Graham's strong leadership and clear strategy for all phases of education. He has been awarded the CBE for his services to local government and education but I suspect that Graham will take greatest pride in the OfSTED Joint Area Review, recently published, which describes his services as 'being imbued with a clear moral purpose' and that strategic leadership of his directorate is outstanding."