NGA welcomes new DfE ministers and thanks those departing

The September government reshuffle has brought a fresh ministerial team to the Department for Education (DfE). For NGA, these changes are both a moment of reflection and a time of renewed opportunity.

Thank you to those departing

We would like to thank Catherine McKinnell MP, Janet Daby MP and Stephen Morgan MP for their service. Each has played an important role during their time in office, and NGA has valued the opportunity to work with them. Catherine McKinnell, Minister of State for School Standards, with responsibility for governance, and Janet Daby, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, have stepped down from government. Stephen Morgan, who served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Early Education, has moved to the Government Whips’ Office as a Junior Lord of the Treasury.

Ministers continuing in post

Bridget Phillipson MP remains Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women & Equalities, continuing to lead the department.
Jacqui Smith (Baroness Smith of Malvern) continues as Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, now bridging both the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Welcoming new ministers

We are pleased to welcome:

Georgia Gould MP, newly appointed Minister of State, who also brings first-hand experience of governance as a former governor at William Ellis School. (Responsibilities to be confirmed)
Josh MacAlister MP, appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. (Responsibilities to be confirmed)
Olivia Bailey MP, appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. (Responsibilities to be confirmed)

Their backgrounds and expertise will play an important role in shaping education policy in the months and years ahead. NGA will share further updates with members as the responsibilities of each new minister are set out.

Emma Balchin, NGA Chief Executive, said:
“It has been a privilege to work with the outgoing ministers, and we are grateful for the time and commitment they have given to education and governance. Governing boards are a critical lynch pin in driving forward the implementation of any new or changing directives or ambitions. Without the support of our members and the wider governance community, we have seen previous governments' whole system change ambitions proceed incredibly slowly at best or fail entirely. As new ministers take up their briefs, NGA stands ready to work alongside them to ensure governance is recognised as a key driver of school and trust improvement.
This is an important moment for the sector. We urge the incoming ministerial team to engage directly with governing boards and listen carefully to the insights of those leading in communities up and down the country. By working in partnership, together we can address persistent challenges, champion inclusion, and create the conditions in which every pupil can thrive.
NGA will be writing to the newly appointed ministers to introduce our work and highlight the priorities of governing boards. We will also keep our members updated as the specific responsibilities of each new minister are confirmed.
NGA looks forward to building constructive relationships with the new team, ensuring the voice of governance is at the heart of decision-making.