AN education boss has said the new education secretary has "a low bar" to reach following former education secretary's sacking in the Government reshuffle.

Nadhim Zahawi has been promoted to the role of Education Secretary after overseeing the Covid-19 vaccine rollout across the country.

Chris Brooksbank, Cumbrian secretary for the National Education Union, said: "The sacking of Mr Williamson is hardly a surprise, and feels long overdue considering the chaos and confusion he and his department has led over the last few years.

"His successor has a low bar to reach and many huge challenges.

"We hope that Nahim Zahawi approaches the role in a more collaborative and sensible manner and talks with the professional associations like the National Education Union, who have on the ground understanding of schools and education and make sensible, thought through responses and proposals.

The Westmorland Gazette: SCHOOLS: Chris Brooksbank, NEU secretary for Cumbria

"I believe Mr Zahawi has no experience of state education - it will be a steep learning curve for him. I am sure the NEU’s door is open and hope he starts by working with us and the other Unions."

Mr Zahawi is inheriting a series of challenges which Gavin Williamson faced when in charge at the Department for Education (DfE), including the Government's education recovery package for pupils amid the pandemic.

His promotion comes after the 54-year-old MP for Stratford-on-Avon was appointed to the new role of vaccines minister in November 2020, where he was responsible for the deployment of coronavirus jabs.

Born in Baghdad in Iraq, Mr Zahawi was privately educated at King's College School in Wimbledon.

Mr Zahawi previously served as children and families minister in the DfE from January 2018 to July 2019.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders' union, said: "Earlier this year, the Prime Minister declared that education was his biggest priority in the wake of the pandemic.

"The crucial task of translating the government's rhetoric on education into reality now sits with the new Secretary of State."