Conor Ryan

About Conor Ryan

Conor Ryan is a writer and consultant. He was senior special adviser to David Blunkett from 1993-2001 and Tony Blair’s senior education adviser from 2005-07. He blogs at Conor's Commentary and has written a number of books on educational issues.

Decent education still at a premium

14 May 2012 | Conor Ryan

Nick Clegg has renewed his faith in pupil premiums as a vital way to improve  education and social mobility. But there is little evidence of serious benefits for disadvantaged pupils Read more

Tags: | | | | Comment

Capital ideas for coalition relaunch

8 May 2012 | Conor Ryan

Nick Clegg ‘renewed his vows’ today with David Cameron, but there is little evidence that the Liberal Democrats have gained much from the coalition. The deputy PM should focus on growth, jobs and infrastructure investment Read more

Tags: | | | | | | | Comment

No 10′s woes: who should carry the can?

17 April 2012 | Conor Ryan

Advising the public to panic-buy petrol is just one way that  Francis Maude has contributed to No 10′s recent problems. The other is getting rid of so many special advisers Read more

Tags: | | | | 2 comments

Gove plays a long game on education

10 April 2012 | Conor Ryan

Michael Gove is quietly pursuing his education reforms. But several challenges will determine whether he is going to make the grade Read more

Tags: | | | 2 comments

Much ado about grammars

3 April 2012 | Conor Ryan

A heated debate about educational selection has been prompted by the announcement of a new grammar school in Kent. But both sides face political perils Read more

Tags: | | | 1 comment

Suppergate: why we need more state funding

27 March 2012 | Conor Ryan

The donor dining debacle is deeply embarrassing for the government. More state funding for political parties is the only solution to the problems it raises  Read more

Tags: | | | | | 1 comment

Mobility first casualty of regional pay

21 March 2012 | Conor Ryan

The imposition of public sector regional pay, announced in today’s Budget, could have some unintended consequences, starting with its impact on labour mobility Read more

Tags: | | | | Comment

More disasters waiting to happen

14 February 2012 | Conor Ryan
Andrew Lansley is not the only minister making a hash of major reforms. It’s only a matter of time before Iain Duncan Smith’s welfare reforms hit the buffers
Tags: | | | | | 3 comments

Data overload

27 January 2012 | Conor Ryan

Is the coalition government making the same mistake as its Labour predecessor in bombarding the public with too much information? The latest incarnation of school league tables suggests it might be Read more

Tags: | | | | 1 comment

Classrooms, capability and culture

13 January 2012 | Conor Ryan

Michael Gove’s plans to make it easier to sack underperforming teachers are sensible, but they will be meaningless unless there is a major cultural shift in schools Read more

Tags: | | | 1 comment