Education secretary | Schools Week

‘She makes me feel hopeful for the profession’

It’s a dream come true for any teacher to have a pupil go on to make a powerful impact on the world. For Zahida Hammond, that pupil – who sat in the front row of her Spanish classes “absorbing everything offered to her” – is likely to become education secretary after Labour’s election win today. […]

Keegan: Teachers’ work could be ‘transformed’ by AI

Education secretary believes artificial intelligence will ‘reduce drain of tasks on teachers’ time’

Schools should be more patriotic, and 8 more things we learned from Zahawi

Minister tells MPs white paper will narrow the attainment gap and he’s ‘open-minded’ about where council MATs can open

Zahawi admits reform failures. But can he win over academy sceptics?

The education secretary speaks to Schools Week about his plans for schools, and why he doesn’t want to ‘play politics’

Zahawi on school nativities: the show must go on

The education secretary said ‘carry on’ with Christmas events after two years of disruption

Johnson defends ‘heroic’ Williamson as reshuffle rumours swirl

Boris Johnson has defended Gavin Williamson for doing a “heroic job” in “difficult circumstances”, amid rumours he could be replaced as education secretary. The prime minister gave his public backing to Williamson, who is one of several cabinet ministers tipped for demotion or the sack in the rumoured upcoming reshuffle. The education secretary has faced […]

DfE to unveil vision for schools, and 4 other things we learned from Gavin Williamson at the Festival of Education

Gavin Williamson has pledged to set out a “broader vision” for the school system later this year. The education secretary this afternoon addressed the Festival of Education, which is taking place virtually over the next two weeks. He spoke about his wider plans for schools, his regrets over last year’s exams and plans for primary […]

‘Compelling logic’ in call to scrap GCSEs, says Green

Calls to scrap GCSEs deserve “serious consideration”, the shadow education secretary has said, as she pledged a review of the “whole of the assessment system”. In her first interview with an education sector publication since taking the job, Kate Green told Schools Week that there was “a lot of compelling logic” in the case being […]

Meet the team: Your guide to the new DfE ministerial line-up

The Department for Education’s new ministerial team is now complete. Boris Johnson has finished his reshuffle after becoming Conservative leader and prime minister. Here’s your handy guide to who’s who on the seventh floor of Sanctuary Buildings. Gavin Williamson Education secretary The MP for South Staffordshire since 2010, Williamson previously served as Theresa May’s […]