New Education Secretary Damian Hinds welcomed counterparts from across the world to the Education World Forum to share ideas and expertise, as he gave his first speech as Education Secretary today.

Speaking at the Education World Forum, he highlighted the importance of international cooperation and openness to more than 80 Education Ministers from around the world. He focused on what they can learn from each other when tackling common issues and challenges, as well the knowledge they can gain from each other’s successes, to help ensure every young person can access a world-class education.

Education Secretary Education Damian Hinds said:

Standards are rising in our schools thanks to our reforms and the hard work of teachers. There are 1.9 million more children in good or outstanding schools than in 2010, nine out of ten schools were given this rating at their last inspection and our recent rise up the international rankings for reading and literacy puts England’s achievements on a global scale.

We are already learning from international best practice, with programmes like the Teaching for Mastery and the Mandarin Excellence Programme. Now we want to go even further and ensure all our young people are able to excel in the new global economy.

As well as learning from other countries, education is also one of our country’s biggest export earners. By continuing to forge strong relationships globally we can create even more opportunities for the next generation and help build a Britain that is fit for the future.

The Education Secretary’s speech comes days after he confirmed further plans to drive up education standards across England and increase opportunity in the areas that need it most. The announcement last week included support for underperforming schools alongside a package of measures to offer young people more opportunities to make the best of their lives in social mobility ‘cold spots’.

Minister for School Standards Nick Gibb and Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills Anne Milton will also speak at the Education World Forum later this week, focusing on government reforms and an increased emphasis on training and vocational skills.

Attended by more than 500 people, the Education World Forum will run until Wednesday 24 January. It is supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for Education, the Department for International Trade, the Department for International Development, the British Council and the EWF industry partners.

The event comes ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which will be hosted by the UK in April and will bring experts from around the world together again.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Royal Armouries (International) plc (RAI) have reached an agreement for the sale of RAI’s shareholding to the DCMS, on behalf of the Royal Armouries (RA).

The move will benefit the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds and help further support culture in the city.

The Royal Armouries Museum (RA) houses one of the oldest collections of arms and armour in the world and is the United Kingdom’s oldest museum. Originally housed in the Tower of London from the 15th century it was the first museum in Britain. It moved to Leeds in 1996.

RAI assets include the cafe and catering arm, events business and carpark. The business will continue to trade and the offer will continue in its existing form, with all current bookings being honoured.

By bringing both operations together (Royal Armouries and RAI) it will enable the museum to consolidate its position as one of the leading cultural and business tourism attractions in the North.

Both the DCMS and RAI directors are delighted that a deal has been reached. The £11.2 million acquisition will enable the Royal Armouries museum to take ownership of the commercial offer at its site in Leeds and unify and concert all museum operations, aligning its services with the highly successful model used at other major DCMS-sponsored national museums.

The relationship between the Royal Armouries, a DCMS-sponsored national museum, and RAI has, since the establishment of the museum in Leeds. It has helped the Royal Armouries to establish itself as a must-see attraction in the heart of Yorkshire and the RAI to develop a successful events and catering business.

Michael Ellis, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, said:

“This deal begins a new chapter for the Royal Armouries, bringing the museum and commercial arms together to evolve the full offer of this fantastic cultural institution in the heart of Yorkshire. The move will help this world-class museum go from strength to strength, attracting new visitors from home and abroad. It is a clear statement of the government’s continued commitment to arts and culture across the North of England.”

Chair of the Royal Armouries board of trustees Lord (Richard) Dannatt said:

“The Royal Armouries museum has established a very strong cultural presence within the North of England over the past twenty years. I am delighted with this landmark deal for the Royal Armouries which will enable it to continue to flourish and grow for many years to come. I extend my deep thanks to the DCMS for their commitment and support and to the outgoing directors of the Royal Armouries International for their contribution to our story in Leeds “

Managing Director of RAI, James Vincent said:

“The Directors of RAI have been involved at Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds for over 20 years. It is now the right time for the catering, corporate hospitality and event arm to be brought closer to the museum and for the Directors to stand to one side. We wish the RAI team and this wonderful national museum, here in the north of England every success for the future. “

Notes to Editors:

For further information please contact:

DCMS Press Office on 020 7211 2210