A NEW director of education has been appointed to oversee schooling in Sunderland.

Barbara Comiskey, the current corporate director of education for Middlesbrough Council, has been appointed to the post by Sunderland City Council.

She began her career as a classroom assistant at a Cheshire primary school in 1973, before becoming an English teacher in Greater Manchester.

Ms Comiskey has held several high-level education posts within local authorities, including county education advisor for Durham County Council, and lives with her family in Stokesley, North Yorkshire.

She said: "I am delighted to join Sunderland.

"I am really looking forward to meeting school and council colleagues and getting on with the job.

"The more I see of Sunderland, the more I like."

Ms Comiskey will be responsible for initiatives ranging from lifelong learning to early years education, and will be on hand to offer advice and support to council officers and councillors.