Ruth Kelly was not exactly Ms Popular with teachers during her brief tenure as education secretary. But her deep monotone voice appears to have cast a spell over members of the Department for Education and Skills’ (DfES) press office. At least four of its members have been lured into following Ms Kelly to the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Among those who left in the mini exodus was John Shield, the DfES’ chief press officer. His post will be filled next Friday by Lee Bailey, who has his hands full defending hospitals as the Department of Health’s chief press officer. There is no reason to fear that the DfES commications divisions is being left understaffed. It employs a staggering 270 people.
* diary@tes.co.uk
