Parents’ priorities will come first, says Kelly
The new Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has today pledged to put the “priorities of every parent” at the heart of her policies.
Speaking during a visit to the Charter School in North Dulwich, south London, the mother-of-four stated that she wanted to improve the quality of teaching, classroom discipline and standards in schools and pledged to carry on the “reform programme that is making such a difference in schools”.
“I’m not going to say very much – I’m one day into what is a very big job,” she said. “What I am going to say is that my priorities are the priorities of every parent – rising standards in our schools, good teaching in the classroom, good school discipline so that children can really learn.
“That is why I think it is so important that we continue the reform programme that is making such a difference in schools right across the country.”
The new minister thanked teachers and school staff for their hard work, adding: “I know that they are working hard to increase standards, to help children learn well, and I would really like to thank people for that.”
Ms Kelly was promoted to the Cabinet earlier this week following a reshuffle prompted by the departure of David Blunkett as Home Secretary.
The new Secretary of State spent 45 minutes touring the mixed comprehensive, which is applying for specialist school status. She declined to answer questions on proposed reforms to exams for 14 to 19-year-olds in England
