Shadow Cabinet Reshuffle: Lucy Powell appointed as the new Shadow Education Secretary
Lucy Powell has been confirmed as the new Shadow Education Secretary in Jeremy Corbyn’s new shadow cabinet. This comes in the wake of Tristram Hunt ruling himself out of serving Mr Corbyn’s shadow cabinet, citing “substantial political differences”.
Jeremy Corbyn elected leader of the Labour Party – what does this mean for education?
Interviewed by the Guardian during his campaign, Mr Corbyn said education has to be done properly, as it is the only chance all children get. He also made it clear that he is not a supporter of free schools and academies, expressing his intention to bring more power back to the Local Authorities.
“Ministers love to be in charge. But however brilliant the Secretary of State is, he or she can’t possibly keep their eye on the ball of every school in the country. It would be a bit like saying that the Indian minister for railways has got to know what is happening on the 8:57 into Calcutta. We have to bring it back to a local level, rebuild the family of education, require Local Authorities to oversee and provide supplementary resources to schools and allow them to build new schools to meet the need for more places.”
In his comment piece for LabourList back in July, Mr Corbyn also called for a National Education Service aimed at working age people, that would provide them access to learn new skills or to re-train.
A new Shadow Education Secretary
Several publications have been profiling Lucy Powell since the announcement of her appointment earlier this week. Powell has some history in education, having served as Shadow Childcare and Early Years Minister from October 2013 to November 2014.
She told Schools Week: “There’s a lot of change in education at the moment and I relish the chance to hold the Government to account on its poor policies and bad ideas.
“Jeremy and I agree on our commitment to excellence in state education, raising aspirations for all children and to an accountable, managed system which has local oversight.”
Reactions
Brian Lightman, General Secretary of ASCL, commented on Lucy Powell’s (and Angela Eagle – new Shadow Business Secretary) appointment, saying: “We look forward to discussing with them our proposals for an education system in which government steps back and trusts schools to step forward to drive continuous improvement. We will also be talking to them about the challenges facing schools and …” Read More.
Secretary of State for Education Nicky Morgan voiced her opinion on Mr Corbyn’s victory, stating that his appointment would mean a clear division between the two parties regarding education policy.
She told TES: “There are things in education that we have accepted that we want, such as Heads and teachers and governors running the schools.
“What I don’t want to go back to is debates of the 1970s and 1980s. We now have a very strong education system in this country and I hope the Labour Party will join me in rooting out the remaining problems and education failures where they are in the country.”
Further reading:
Who’s who in Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet (BBC)
‘Do not expect Corbyn-era education policy to shift radically from that of Tristram Hunt’ (TES)