Education Minister honoured

Estelle Morris, the Rt Hon Baroness Morris of Yardley and former Secretary of State for Education has been honoured by MMU for her outstanding contribution to education in the UK.

The Manchester-born politician who built a rare degree of trust between Whitehall and school staff rooms was presented with an Honorary Doctorate in Education from MMU’s Institute of Education.

As Secretary of State Estelle Morris challenged orthodoxies in UK education, supported positive teachers and parents and demonstrated a deep commitment to children and young people.

Professor Nigel Hall, at the Institute of Education, the largest teacher training college in the North of England, said Estelle Morris was rare for being one of the few holders of the post who had practical experience of being a school teacher.

Commitment

He praised her honesty, integrity and commitment, much appreciated by Britain’s teaching community.

Professor Hall said: "For your long dedication to public service, for your significant contribution to the development of English education, and for your continuing contribution to improving young people’s lives, we honour you."

Daughter of Charles Morris, Manchester MP for Openshaw (1963-83) and niece of Alf Morris, Manchester Wythenshawe MP, Estelle attended Rack House primary in Wythenshawe and Whalley Range School for Girls before taking a PGCE (teacher training) at Warwick University.

A local councillor for many years, she became MP for Birmingham Yardley in 1992, Tony Blair’s first Under-Secretary for Education and Employment, and later his Minister for School Standards and Secretary of State for Education.

Modest

She resigned in 2002 saying she missed the day-to-day involvement in schools and confessed, modestly as ever, to feeling not quite the best person for the job.

From 2005 to 2007 she was chair of the Children’s Workforce Development Council, and is president of the National Children’s Bureau.