DfE had long wanted control over higher education policy, and it was with Greening’s ascendency in 2016 that this became a reality. Since then we have seen the 2017 Act pass into law, an achievement that owes as much to Greening’s focus and political nous as it does to Jo Johnson’s tenacity and commitment. She’s the first openly LGBT woman to serve as a cabinet minister, the first Education Secretary to have been to a comprehensive school, and one of a very few members of the current cabinet that can be described (even loosely) as an ally to Theresa May.
Her pre-summer announcement of an additional £1.2bn for mainstream schools – although not “new money” as suggested – was the only major government policy announcement since the 2017 election, other than the welcome announcement by the Equalities Minister (one J. Greening) of a streamlined transitional experience for transgendered individuals. Greening, it seems, is keen to make an impact – perhaps there are other government roles in her future that could allow her to make more.