Thread by @dianabarran

As my time as a minister has now ended, I wanted to acknowledge what an extraordinary privilege it is to serve in government and how grateful I am to have had the opportunity.

For me, there are three main reasons that make this so special. 1/13

Firstly, the problems one is trying to address are all big and important. Secondly, there is a variety which I doubt many other jobs can touch. Finally, you work with extraordinarily committed and able colleagues - both inside @education and in our schools and trusts. 2/13

Here are a few examples of the ‘big and important’ problems that I was part of addressing.

When I arrived in DfE I learnt that there were about 750,000 children in underperforming schools. 3/13

I worked with officials to reduce this by 200,000 children in 2 years by focusing the work of DfE Regions Group. We are well on track to do this. That is life changing for those children. 4/13

In September 2023, we decided to close schools which had not ruled out the presence of RAAC concrete. Closing a school at short notice at the start of the school year is literally the last thing any headteacher wants to do. 5/13

But those heads rose to the challenge and the DfE team were extraordinary. Now, every one of those schools has a plan - either for a rebuild or a roof replacement. 6/13

More recently, we have focused relentlessly on attendance - using data to identify where schools should focus for highest impact. It has been a pleasure to watch the team pick up the ideas and then run faster and further than I could ever have done. 7/13

This list shows some of the variety. I could add the use of AI in education, the strategy for climate change and sustainability and defining what makes a great multi academy trust. Not to mention my work on loneliness and supporting charities at @DCMS during the pandemic. 8/13

It isn’t possible to do justice to all the talented and committed people I worked with - other ministers, NEDs, SpAds, MAT leaders, teachers, support staff and more. @GillianKeegan was unstintingly generous in her support - 9/13

and it was great to work and learn from @NickGibbUK @DamianHinds @ClaireCoutinho and @david4wantage as well as @dmthomas90 as a senior policy advisor. 10/13

So many officials gave me great advice - and cared deeply to get the best outcomes for children. My private office deserves several gold stars for patience. I will miss you all but am so happy to have worked with you. 11/13

And to the incoming ministerial team - I wish you the very best of luck. You have some of the very best jobs in the world. 12/13

My last thought is for the children I met-from the AP school in week 1, to those I met in B’ham in May. You were my North Star + my inspiration. You lifted my spirits in difficult moments + reignited my resolve to get things right for you first time. I can’t thank you enough.End