Nick Gibb and Geoff Barton recognised in new year’s honours
Former schools minister for the Conservative government Nick Gibb has been knighted in the new year’s honours.
Gibb has had a long and influential career within the Department for Education, serving as Shadow Minister for Schools from 2005 until 2010, and as Minister of State for Schools from then until September 2012, a position he returned to in 2014.
Gibb was a champion of the academies and free schools programme, improving the curriculum and strict behaviour policies.
Also receiving recognition in the new year’s honours was former union leader Geoff Barton, who received a CBE.
Barton became general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders in 2017 and stood down in April. He is a former English teacher and secondary head.
He recently led the Oracy Commission whose recommendations are now being considered as part of the government’s curriculum review.
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