News

Damian Hinds becomes education secretary

Damian Hinds has been named as the new education secretary.

He replaces Justine Greening, who resigned from the government earlier tonight after turning down another role in the cabinet.

Hinds was previously the government’s employment minister, serving in the role since July 2016. Prior to that he was exchequer secretary to the Treasury.

He sat on the parliamentary education committee between 2010 and 2012 and chaired the all-part parliamentary group for social mobility.

Born in London, Hinds went to a Catholic grammar school in Cheshire and read politics, philosophy and economics at the University of Oxford.

Hinds has been welcomed to the job by Paul Whiteman, from the headteachers’ union NAHT, who called for stability at a time of immense change in education.

“For the past 18 months the DfE has been building a strong relationship with the profession. Free from needless ‘big ticket’ policy announcements significant progress has been made lately on areas like primary assessment. We have also seen fresh ambitions to improve careers advice and guidance, sex and relationships education and social mobility.

READ MORE: 9 facts about the new education secretary

“Children need stability and their teachers can only provide that if the backdrop of education policy provides continuity for the profession.

“We look forward to developing the profession’s relationship with Mr Hinds, building on the platform created by Justine Greening, working collaboratively with the profession and treating school staff with respect.”

Whiteman said new education secretaries “often feel that new announcements are obligatory”.

“In 2018, where budgets are at breaking point and recruitment is still a massive challenge, education does not need more upheaval.”

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *