Politics

Mark Lehain returns as special adviser to education secretary

Well-known free school founder reappointed 13 months after leaving post

Well-known free school founder reappointed 13 months after leaving post

23 Oct 2023, 11:18

More from this author

Mark Lehain

Former headteacher Mark Lehain has returned as special adviser to the education secretary – just over a year after leaving the post.

Lehain, who founded one of the first secondary free schools in the country, was initially appointed as a policy special adviser (SpAd) in 2021 by former education secretary Nadhim Zahawi.

He remained in-post under Michelle Donelan and James Cleverly following cabinet reshuffles, before being replaced at the beginning of Liz Truss’s stint in Number 10 last year.

He became head of education at the Centre for Policy Studies, an influential Conservative thinktank that was founded by Margaret Thatcher and Sir Keith Joseph 49 years ago.

But Schools Week understands that Lehain has now been reappointed to advise Gillian Keegan.

The role has been vacant since Rory Gribbell joined the DfE as a non-political policy advisor.

Well-known in the education sector and a regular media commentator on school issues, he is a vocal proponent of traditionalist education ideologies including a knowledge-rich curriculum and strict behaviour policies.

After six years at Bedford Free School, Lehain went on to lead Parents and Teachers for Excellence, a campaign group for education reform founded by Dame Rachel de Souza, the now children’s commissioner.

This was followed by a brief period working as interim director of the New Schools Network, a government-funded charity, in 2018.

Lehain later worked for the Campaign for Common Sense, which has published research on culture war issues including gender identity and “wokeness”. 

The former school leader also contested Newcastle North for the Conservatives during the 2019 general election, losing to Labour MP Catherine McKinnell, who has held the seat since 2010.

Lehain was instrumental in the early formulation of the delayed transgender guidance for schools. He returns as the sector awaits publication of the advice.

Latest education roles from

Head of Programme 2D Studies – City Lit

Head of Programme 2D Studies – City Lit

FEA

Group Director of Governance & Company Secretary

Group Director of Governance & Company Secretary

New City College

Principal (Harrow College) – HRUC

Principal (Harrow College) – HRUC

FEA

Deputy Director of Apprenticeships

Deputy Director of Apprenticeships

Manchester Metropolitan University

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Helping every learner use AI responsibly

AI didn’t wait to be invited into the classroom. It burst in mid-lesson. Across UK schools, pupils are already...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Retire Early, Live Fully: What Teachers Need to Consider First

Specialist Financial Adviser, William Adams, from Wesleyan Financial Services discusses what teachers should be considering when it comes to...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Politics

Kids’ school dinner protest leaves a bad taste

NEU stunt involving primary pupils handing out leaflets on free school meals draws criticism

Ruth Lucas
Politics

Reform-run Kent council plans £2m school budget raid

Leaders say proposals fly in face of pre-election pledges to identify efficiencies and savings from Musk-style DOGE unit

Jack Dyson
Politics

Labour conference 2025: Bridget Phillipson’s full speech

The education secretary addressed the party's annual conference in Liverpool

Freddie Whittaker
Politics

Labour-linked education group backs Lucy Powell for deputy leader

Backing for rival from Socialist Educational Association is a blow to education secretary Bridget Phillipson

Freddie Whittaker

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

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