Education Secretary Lucy Powell Wants High Goals for Every Student

England's new Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, says she wants every young person to reach their full potential — no matter which path they take through school. Powell made headlines this week after the government announced plans to give more students access to vocational training, which focuses on job skills instead of just traditional subjects. Some critics said the plans would lower school standards, but Powell strongly disagreed. She said students can pursue both academic excellence and practical skills at the same time.

Powell compared herself to a 'tiger mum' — a term for a very determined and ambitious parent. She said she wants to be that kind of supportive force for all students in England, not just her own children. 'My kids might say I'm a tiger mum,' she told the Guardian. 'I'm a tiger mum for all our kids — every single child that's in our education system achieving excellence, achieving what they can do.'

Critics, including former Conservative Education Secretary Michael Gove, argued that Labour's focus on vocational training could water down school quality. Powell fired back, saying her critics were creating a 'false trade-off.' She explained that choosing between academic knowledge and practical skills is a fake choice — schools can and should offer both. 'It's about ambition for everybody,' she said.

Powell pointed out that the politicians criticising her had run the education system for many years. She said they needed to take responsibility for a system that has left over one million young people without a job, education, or training. 'The current approach has left too many behind,' she said. She argued that a fresh approach — one that values both academic and vocational paths — is long overdue.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham also called on schools across England to adjust what they teach to match the needs of local businesses. He wants technical and vocational skills to be seen as just as valuable as getting good grades in traditional subjects. Both Powell and Burnham say this shift is needed to help solve a growing jobs crisis among young people. Their goal is to make sure more students are ready for the world of work when they leave school.

Powell did admit that school leaders are worried about money. Providing new vocational courses costs money, and many school budgets were already stretched thin during years of cuts known as the austerity period. Powell said she is 'very conscious' of these funding pressures. She promised that any new specific plans would come with full funding to support them.

When it comes to teachers, Powell said she wants to work together rather than against them. There are concerns that some teachers may go on strike because of the pressure they are under. Powell said the government is already making changes to ease that pressure. 'What I'll say to teachers is work with me,' she said.

Powell also addressed the topic of special educational needs. Her predecessor had put forward a plan to change how pupils with special needs get support, which worried many parents. Powell said she would stick with the plan but reassured families that the goal is to make sure kids get help earlier. She said families should not have to 'fight tooth and nail' to access the support their children need.

On the topic of private schools, Powell took a softer tone than her predecessor. She said it is up to parents to decide where their children go to school. 'I'm not here to worry about private schools,' she said. 'I'm here to worry about state schools.' This shows her main focus is on improving the experience of students in government-funded schools.