THE headteacher of Brentwood County High School has questioned if Westminister politicians treat education with the respect it deserves.

Speaking at a public event in Birmingham, Stephen Drew, who has achieved celebrity status through hit TV show Educating Essex, slammed the coalition Government and the “constant reforms” of schools.

Mr Drew said: “Education has experienced immense turbulence in the last few years. There is a battle for hearts, minds and votes going on with schools at the centre of political whims.

“The question has to be asked about whether it is ever appropriate to carry out radical and constant reform of schools in ways that have destabilising impacts on the education of young people.”

Speaking to the Weekly News, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan agreed there had been a lot of change, but that change was necessary

She said: “We can’t afford to sit on our laurels where education is concerned. Education is about the future, it can be life-transforming and so where we see issues that aren’t working – and Michael Gove and his team were absolutely right to tackle it.

“But now we want to build on those challenges to make sure they’re well implemented, and to work with the profession.”