Michael Gove keeps education brief

Schools Secretary: Michael Gove
10 April 2012
WEST END FINAL

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Despite announcing he would give up a Cabinet post to ensure a Tory/Lib Dem coalition, Michael Gove today hung on to the education brief to be named Education Secretary.

The former Times journalist has spent the past three years as shadow schools secretary, heading up the Conservatives' plans for education reform.

First elected MP for the constituency of Surrey Heath in 2005, Mr Gove has long been seen as a rising star of the Tory shadow cabinet.

After a spell as shadow housing minister he was drafted into the shadow cabinet to speak on schools in 2007 after then Prime Minster Gordon Brown split education into two departments.

It was widely expected that he would take up the role of Schools Secretary if the Tories won the election; but following last Thursday's hung parliament, and with talks with the Lib Dems under way, Mr Gove revealed at the weekend that he was willing to stand aside if it would help the Tories secure a deal with the Lib Dems - sparking widespread speculation that his Lib Dem counterpart David Laws would take up the post.

It also led to some rumours that Mr Gove could be headed for the Home Office.

But with his position in the Department for Children, Schools and Families confirmed, Mr Gove will now be keen to make his mark.

Top of the list of initiatives is likely to be the Pupil Premium - also a key issue for the Lib Dems.

It will see extra funding attached to children from poorer backgrounds, following them as and when they move schools.

The Lib Dems say it would help cut class sizes and narrow the gap between rich and poor youngsters. They had planned to give £2.5 billion to the policy.

Other key education policies for the Tories include so-called "free schools" and reforming the curriculum and exams system.

Mr Gove has received a mixed reception from the education sector, winning support over plans to improve behaviour in the classroom and for suggestions that the Tories would look at reforming Ofsted.

But his "free schools" plans - which would see parents, teachers and other groups allowed to set up schools - have come under attack from teaching unions.

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary for the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), called the proposals "barking."

Union leaders say the proposals will take money away from existing schools, and will only benefit wealthy parents with time to set up their own schools.

Plans to raise the entry requirements for teacher training have also raised concerns, with education professionals arguing that it takes more than good qualifications to become a good teacher.

Mr Gove was born in Scotland and educated at Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen, before studying English at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University.

He is married to Sarah Vine, a writer at the Times and they have two children, Beatrice and William.

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