Dudley’s top education officer John Freeman is to step down, it was announced today.

The news comes just days after chief executive Andrew Sparke confirmed he is leaving the authority.

Director of children’s services John Freeman will leave his post in January after seven years at the helm. Mr Sparke is moving on at the end of the month after a decade in charge.

The resignations have sparked a major shake-up of the council’s leading officers.

John Polychronakis, director of law and property, was today confirmed as interim chief-executive leaving his former position vacant. A temporary replacement is expected to be announced within days.

Mr Freeman’s assistant Jane Porter will fill in as interim director of children’s services from January 1 next year.