Sioned Bowen has not been at her desk since the start of October

Sioned Bowen has not been in work since the start of October.

Although she had not been suspended, Denbighshire Council had refused to divulge the reasons for her absence, despite criticism by MPs and unions.

She said she was taking up a new role outside the authority, while the council is recruiting her successor.

Teaching unions said her absence had been damaging the provision of education locally.

I am confident that my vision for excellence... will be taken forward by officers of very high quality Sioned Bowen

Two north Wales MPs, Gareth Thomas and Martyn Jones, had said council taxpayers had a right to know why she was not in work.

A media conference was held on Tuesday to announce Ms Bowen's retirement, although she did not attend.

In a statement, Ms Bowen, who was corporate director of lifelong learning, said: "I am confident that my vision for excellence in educational provision and lifelong learning will be taken forward by officers of very high quality who provide inspirational leadership and who remain in Denbighshire's education service."

Council leader Rhiannon Hughes said Ms Bowen was "widely respected at local, national and international level, having worked for nearly 40 years in a variety of challenging settings".

Ms Bowen, who had been in the post for nearly five years, has been chair of the directors of education in Wales and a member of the Daugherty Group, which recommended new assessment arrangements for pupils in Wales aged 11 and 14.

Ms Bowen added: "I will continue to put learners first and will work for excellence in provision, ensuring that there is a fair allocation of funding for children and young people, in a new role outside of Denbighshire County Council."

The authority said it would not be making any further statement about the matter.

"Arrangements will be made to recruit a successor by open competition," said a spokeswoman.

Teaching unions had criticised what they called the "secrecy" over her absence, with councillors told not to speak publicly on the matter.

According to the council, this was done in order to protect Ms Bowen.

NUT Wales told the BBC Wales Maniffesto programme earlier this month that Ms Bowen was a "breath of fresh air" during her time as education director and called for an end to the uncertainty surrounding her post.

UCAC said that her unexplained absence was in danger of undermining important education projects in Denbighshire, including a review of primary education.