Outspoken school adviser ousted

Sir Cyril Taylor has advised Labour and Conservative ministers

The man at the forefront of a decade of secondary school reform - Sir Cyril Taylor - has lost his job as chairman of a leading schools' organisation.

Sir Cyril was replaced at the helm of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) in a boardroom reshuffle, although he retains a board place.

Sir Cyril's career stretches back many years and he has been a key adviser to both Labour and Conservative ministers.

He was a driving force behind Tony Blair's academies programme.

As head of the SSAT Sir Cyril has held one of the most influential posts in education, advising four prime ministers and nine education secretaries on policy over the last 20 years.

Sir Cyril could not be reached for a comment, but in a statement made after the surprise announcement of his departure, he said: "The trust has played a crucial and important role over the past 20 years in helping to raise standards in English secondary schools.

Sir Cyril Taylor has made a landmark contribution to improving schools, has been highly impressive and leaves a lasting legacy to education in this country Ed Balls, Schools Secretary

"I am delighted to have had the opportunity through the trust to contribute to that achievement.

"The trust will continue to have my wholehearted support and has my very best wishes for its future success."

The SSAT is involved in boosting the private sector's role in state education.

The announcement of Sir Cyril's departure followed a review of the trust's corporate governance arrangements that saw a new board of 12 appointed to replace its 40-strong council.

Sir Cyril, 72, remains on the board, but has been replaced by Sir James Hill as the new chairman.

Brickbats and bouquets

His often outspoken views have attracted sharp criticism from teachers.

Only last month, he said sub-standard staff should be removed from schools to make way for better colleagues and heads should be tougher in getting rid of poor performers.

He asserted that despite "fantastic" progress in schools there was still a proportion of "poor" teachers in England - equivalent to about 17,000, who he said were damaging the prospects of 400,000 pupils.

But he has attracted plaudits from ministers, including Schools Secretary Ed Balls who said: "Sir Cyril Taylor has made a landmark contribution to improving schools, has been highly impressive and leaves a lasting legacy to education in this country."

Schools Minister Andrew Adonis said of Sir Cyril: "Thanks to him, almost all secondary schools are now specialist schools, helping to raise standards and extend excellence.

"He was an early and steadfast supporter of the academy programme and has made an immense contribution to education over more than two decades."

Sir James Hill, who succeeds Sir Cyril, said he was "a man who has made an outstanding contribution to the education sector as a whole and the SSAT in particular".

He added: "He has been a driving force behind city technology colleges, specialist schools and, more recently, trust schools and academies."