Zahawi’s English schools white paper leaves many in sector underwhelmed

Hopes were high after blunders of Williamson's tenure, but 60-page vision for future offers little to inspire

Nadhim Zahawi is a minister with a reputation for getting things done, thanks in large part to his involvement in the rollout of the Covid vaccine programme. But the education secretary's long-awaited schools white paper, published on Monday after months of speculation, left many in the sector feeling underwhelmed.

After exams mayhem and mishaps overseen by Zahawi's predecessor, Gavin Williamson, and damage done by the pandemic, hopes were high for Zahawi's first big outing, but immediate reaction to the 60-page white paper setting out the government's vision for schools for the next eight years was muted.