All change again in the Department for Education

The new Prime Minister, Liz Truss MP, has assembled her new cabinet to fulfil the duties of the government. Education sees new ministers at all levels, this is not unexpected, though not overly welcomed due to the current SEND Review and the timeline for this.

Will Quince MP, has moved into health and social care. He was a prominent figure in the lead up to the publication of the SEND Review and while we wish him well, we hope his replacement, Kelly Tolhurst MP, is fully briefed on the current situation. As yet, the portfolios for the incoming staff have not been formalised.

Our new Secretary of State for Education, The Right Honourable Kit Malthouse MP, is the fifth holder of this post this year and we are hoping he is around long enough to make some positive impact within the system as he replaces James Cleverly.

Another appointment to the Department of Education as replacement for Brendan Clarke-Smith is Jonathan Gullis MP, an ex-teacher and grammar school advocate. Andrea Jenkyns MP and Baronness Barran retain their positions.

What impact this new team will have on education policy under the new PM remains to be seen. The current economic crisis of energy bills and an unfunded pay rise for teachers is likely to be on of the first big issues for the incoming ministers to handle. Here’s hoping that the SEND review will also be at the top of the agenda.