ELECTION 2010

Where are they now?

During Labour’s 13 years in power, there were six secretaries of state for education – even if their official job titles did vary. We look at how the 2010 election treated them.

David Blunkett

Secretary of state for education and employment (May 1997 to June 2001) Mr Blunkett held the seat of Sheffield Brightside and Hillsbrough, gaining 55 per cent of the vote. There was a 10.8 per cent swing to the Liberal Democrats.

Estelle Morris

Secretary of state for education and skills (June 2001 to October 2002) Baroness Morris of Yardley stepped down as a member of parliament at the 2005 election.

Charles Clarke

Who will be the next education minister?

The Conservative party, still

by Chris Parr

The education spokesmen Ed Balls, David Laws and Michael Gove have all been key players in their respective political parties’ negotiating teams, which have been holed up in meetings across London this week attempting to form a coalition government. As SecEd went to press, the

Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party were at the negotiating table, exploring the possibility of a “rainbow” coalition that could see the two parties working with others including the SNP and Plaid Cymru.

the favourites to form the lion’s share of any new government, had announced a referendum on the alternative vote system as a final carrot to a Liberal Democrat hierar- chy desperate for voting reform. Whatever happens, or has hap-

pened since the time of writing, the question of who will become the new education secretary has become increasingly hard to call. When David Cameron made his

first address to the public on the morning after the election, edu- cation was one of the key areas in which the Conservative leader believed his party could work with the Liberals. He said: “We recognise the high

priority that the Liberal Democrats have given to the proposals for a pupil premium in our schools. We agree with this idea, it is in our manifesto too, and I am sure we can develop a common approach

that recognises the urgency that the Liberal Democrats have attached to this proposal.” However, if a Lib-Con alli-

ance does establish itself, then the question of who takes the post of education secretary is far from answered. Mr Gove, the Conservative edu-

cation spokesman, would seem to be the automatic choice. His party gained more seats, and more votes, than any other in an election cam- paign that was dominated by educa- tion issues. Despite this, speaking on Sunday

(May 9), Mr Gove said he would be “prepared to give up” his seat in a new cabinet to David Laws, his Lib Dem opposite number. One thing seems almost cer-

tain, however. Although Mr Balls is likely to stand in the Labour Party leadership race, it is highly unlikely that he will become the education secretary under a new government.

After almost three years in the

post, it is somebody else who will be responsible for the country’s secondary schools. We asked teachers for their

thoughts on Mr Balls’ time in office. Dr Bernard Trafford, head at

the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, told us: “(Ed Balls) has neglected educa- tion and concentrated on children’s services, downgraded the impor- tance of schools and school leaders, conversely micromanaged and har- ried schools, and refused to listen to the profession on a whole range of issues, not least the fatuous School Report Card and its single grade.” Another headteacher from the

east midlands, who asked to remain anonymous, added: “Ed appears to be someone who is not afflicted by self-doubt. He knows he is right. Even on topics of which he has no experience. He knows the profes-

sionals are simply wrong, driven – as he thinks they are – by self- interest. Such certainty is a charac- teristic that makes some heads think they’re excellent heads, but almost always guarantees they are not.” However, Chris Dunne, head at

Langdon Park school in London, said the story of public educa- tion over the last 13 years was “one of success, improvement and progress”. “When the dust has settled and

we are able to look back objec- tively on the Labour government’s stewardship of public education we will I think see that the posi- tives far outweigh the negatives,” he said. “They did set immensely chal-

lenging targets, and in some cases far too many of them, but they also provided schools with the resources to meet them, which was rarely the case in the past and may not be the case again.”

Secretary of state for education and skills (October 2002 to December 2004) Mr Clarke was one of the Labour casualties last Thursday. A four per cent swing to Simon Wright, the Liberal Democrat candidate, saw him lose Norwich South.

Ruth Kelly

Secretary of state for education and skills (December 2004 to May 2006) Ms Kelly stepped down at this year’s election and her seat, Bolton West – a key Conservative target, was held by Labour by just 92 votes. There was a 5.9 per cent swing to the Conservative party.

Alan Johnson

Secretary of state for education and skills (May 2006 to June 2007) Mr Johnson held the Hull and West Hessle constituency, gaining 42.5 per cent of the vote. There was a 7.9 per cent swing to the Liberal Democrats.

Ed Balls

Secretary of state for children, schools and families (June 2007 to May 2010) Mr Balls was re-elected to parliament, winning the newly created Morley and Outwood constituency by 1,101 votes, and avoiding a “Portillo moment”. Based on old boundaries, there was a 9.3 per cent swing to the Conservatives, with Labour winning 37.6 per cent of the vote to the Tories’ 35.3.

• Average time in power for a New Labour education secretary: 26 months

Schools shortlisted for BCSE design awards

The shortlist for the 2010 British Council for School Environments (BCSE) Industry Awards has been announced. Six secondary-level schools have

made the shortlist for the Inspiring Designs category which recognises best practice in UK school design and construction. Nottinghamshire had special rea-

Party time: Sackville School in Sussex was one of thousands of schools across Europe that have been celebrating the fifth anniversary of the British Council’s eTwinning programme. The scheme lets teachers and students build links with peers in 32 countries across the continent by giving them access to an online community of 70,000 schools. Students Katherine Stevens, Astrid Tancock and Sophie Wood (pictured left to right) were on hand to blow out the candles on a special eTwinning birthday cake. To find out more, visit www.britishcouncil.org/etwinning

son for celebration after picking up nominations in three of the other categories: Innovation in Student Engagement, Best School Extension, Refurbishment or Remodel, and Local Authority of the Year. Jim Mason, director of major

programmes at Nottingham City Council, said: “I am delighted that we have been shortlisted for three national awards. It is a true reflec- tion of the work being done across

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a range of partners who remain committed to delivering excellence for children and young people in Nottingham. “Our exciting school rebuilding

programmes are helping to achieve our vision of transforming educa- tion and regenerating neighbour- hoods across the city,” he added. For a full list of categories and nominations, visit: www.bcse.uk.net

Fine design: Elm Court School made the list

Nominations for the Inspiring Designs: Schools category

• Halewood Centre for Learning, Merseyside • Forest Way (special school), Leicestershire • Elm Court School, south London • The Pears National Centre for Autism Education, north London • Durham Johnston Comprehensive School, Durham • Monkseaton High School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

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