TED WRAGG TRIBUTES

Sad news to hear that Ted Wragg, Emeritus Professor of Education at Exeter University, writer, broadcaster, and thorn in the side of successive governments, has died aged 67.
The Press Association received many phone calls and tributes from leading figures in the education world all wanting to share their memories.
Here is a selection. Feel free to add your own...

:: Ruth Kelly, education secretary, was known in Prof Wragg's numerous newspaper columns as "The Duchess of Drivel" or "Ruth Dalek". But she paid him warm tribute yesterday.
“His tremendous passion, knowledge and wit drawn from a working life dedicated to teaching meant his contribution to the profession was immense and his views could never be ignored,” she said.
"He taught at all levels from primary and secondary schools right through to university and held important educational board and advisory roles that gave him considerable insight.
“He will be greatly missed by everyone involved in education and beyond.”

:: Shadow education secretary David Cameron said: “Ted Wragg made an enormous contribution to the education debate in the UK throughout his distinguished career.
“Often controversial but always of interest, his views have inspired and provoked in equal measure.
“He was one of the educational establishment’s most enduring and prolific thinkers.”

:: Liberal Democrat education spokesman Edward Davey: "This is a huge shock to everyone in education. His thoughts will be missed in the education debates ahead of us. Yet he leaves a huge legacy of work which people will be quoting from for years to come."

:: David Butler, from the National Confederation of PTAs: "It is with great sadness we hear of the sudden death of Ted Wragg.
"Whilst being a great champion of teachers he always found the time to listen to parents and appreciate their views.
"Ted's death leaves a gap in the education world no one can fill he was unique or sympathies are
with his beloved wife and their family."

:: John Dunford, general secretary of the Secondary Heads Association, phoned us wanting to make a comment.
He said: “He was unique in his ability to cut through all the nonsense that teachers have had to put up with for many years.
“He is irreplaceable in the depth of his knowledge about teaching and about education.”

:: Mick Brookes, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers: “NAHT collectively will mourn the passing of Ted Wragg, his scathing wit and his passion for educational issues. He will be sadly missed in the education world, not least by our members.”

:: Steve Sinnott, NUT general secretary, said: “Ted Wragg will be sorely missed.
“He was a champion of teachers, a champion of children and a champion of the education service.
“He towered over education for the last 30 years, seeking always to promote the interests of every single child and to support teachers in their efforts to provide the best education possible.
“He was never cowed by any politician, always keeping his sense of humour and perspective. He is a tremendous loss.”

:: Ken Boston, chief executive of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority: “Ted Wragg was a giant of a man as an educator.
“Ted spoke with a great authenticity, as a man who had his roots in the classroom.
“I have never come across someone with such a rich understanding of classrooms and children. “His influence on education in this country will last for many years. I will miss him greatly.”

It is also well worth checking out the Guardian's education web site (http://education.guardian.co.uk/) and searching for some of his old columns for a sense of the man's wit and his willingness to lay into what he saw as daft ideas from teenagers in the Number 10 policy unit.
The BBC News education web site also recorded numerous personal tributes (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4424628.stm).