Parents claim the temporary absence of Oxfordshire's chief education officer could damage the reorganisation of Oxford's schools.

They are anxious that the change from a three-tier to a two-tier system is properly managed.

Last year, all three major political groups on Oxfordshire County Council agreed to second chief education officer Graham Badman to Hackney council.

Now, plans for Mr Badman to troubleshoot at Waltham Forest have raised concerns.

Mr BadmanHe is going to Waltham Forest on behalf of EduAction, an independent company set up by Amey plc and Nord Anglia Education plc. Together with EduAction, he will advise Waltham Forest on education psychology, literacy and numeracy programmes, information technology, finance, and performance management.

Annie Skinner, a spokesman for the Save Our Schools group, said: "My concern is that things go smoothly for the sake of the children. We can't afford to have any mistakes made."

Cllr Brian Hodgson, leader of the Labour group, added: "We supported Mr Badman going to Hackney before Christmas because that was a one-off to help out another local authority."

He added that there were no plans for Oxfordshire County Council to work with EduAction Ltd.

Labour councillors discussed the role of Mr Badman at a confidential meeting on July 30.

Cllr Keith Mitchell, leader of the council's Conservative group, said he did not share the Labour group's concerns.

He added: "It is flattering that we have got someone good enough to be headhunted."

Mr Badman, who joined the county council as Chief Education Officer in 1996, was on holiday and not available for comment.