September always brings a renewed sense of possibility. It’s the start of a new year in education. New classes, new challenges and a new hope for every child’s success. I feel a bit like that myself – it’s my first start of term as education secretary. I recognise getting a new education secretary at the start of the summer holidays isn’t ideal. But I want to reassure you: I will be bringing in much-needed change, but I will do so with you, alongside you and with respect for you. Almost everyone in my family either is or was a teacher or worked in children’s services. I am also a parent to three children all at various stages on their education journey. I’ve held many relevant positions and always closely followed the issues across the sector. As far as I’m concerned, this is the best job in government and I take my responsibilities extremely seriously. I know how much skill, judgment and hard work goes into helping children succeed. I know the pride that comes from seeing a young person thrive. I know that teaching and working with young people is more than a job. It’s a calling. That experience shapes how I want to work – supporting you in everything you do, and shaping reforms with you. We should open doors not close them My ambition is for every child to leave education with the knowledge, skills and confidence to be successful and happy. I want our system to open doors for young people – whatever their background and whatever their talents – not close them. We have strong foundations. Standards have risen, particularly in literacy and numeracy, because of the expertise and determination of teachers and school leaders. We should be proud of that progress. But we must also confront an uncomfortable truth. Too many children are being left behind and our increasingly narrow, one-size-fits-all approach neither meets the moment nor accepts that every child is different. There’s been a debate raging in education for some time. But I believe it’s built on false choices. I do not accept that we must choose between knowledge and skills. Between academic standards and technical or vocational pathways. Or between high expectations and inclusion and recognising everyone’s abilities. Moreover, the world is changing so fast it’s hard for us all to keep up. The environment my kids are growing up in and the world of work they will face is in many ways unrecognisable from that of the generation before. They’ve also had part of their childhood and education altered by Covid lockdowns. Technological change is bringing some opportunities, yes, but perhaps many more challenges in education and the early years. Pathways for all You are at the front line. You’re navigating the effect of social media and smartphones on children’s wellbeing, as well as the impact of AI on standards and access to knowledge, all while trying to help pupils understand the new world of work. It’s my duty as education secretary to ensure we are supporting you and young people through this change and looking to the future, not a bygone past. No-one can have read Alan Milburn’s interim review on the rising and alarming number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs) without recognising that some things have gone wrong. Nor the inquiry into white working class educational outcomes. That’s why the focus of my reforms will be around pathways for all, a broad and balanced curriculum, developing skills alongside knowledge, an inclusive system that supports those with SEND and reflecting a child’s journey from birth to adulthood. I also want to work differently. Trust and accountability go hand in hand. Reform is often something that arrives in schools and colleges. I want it to shaped with the sector. The best solutions will not always look the same in every place. Long-lasting solutions are often shaped locally. Work with me That is why I want to work with local leaders and partners to bring services together around the needs of their communities, intervening before problems become crises. So, my message at the start of this term is simple. Work with me. In return, I will listen, I will engage, and I will fight to give schools the support and tools they need to do a brilliant job for children. The next chapter is a defining one, so let’s write it together. Fundamentally, education gives young people hope that where they start should not determine where they finish. My mission as education secretary is to make that promise real for all children. I will be fiercely ambitious about what we can achieve together, so every child has the knowledge, skills and confidence to build their future.