'Education Bill will set us back 50 years'.

(From The Northern Echo)

Byline: OLIVIA RICHWALD

NEW Government policies will spell the end of state education as we know it, according to the man who has been in charge of schools in the Prime Minister's backyard for the past 16 years.

Keith Mitchell speaks out today against the Government's controversial Education Bill as he retires as director of education at Durham County Council.

In an exclusive article published in The Northern Echo today, Mr Mitchell criticises the Government and Tony Blair for pursuing Conservative ideals that he says will "put the clock back by 50 years".

Mr Mitchell is a well-respected educationalist …