He spearheaded evidence-based changes that boosted England's performance in international assessments like PIRLS and PISA, narrowed attainment gaps, and established reforms resilient to political shifts. In his 2025 book Reforming Lessons: Why English Schools Have Improved Since 2010 and How This Was Achieved, he provides an insider's perspective on surmounting ideological resistance to deliver progress. Sir Gibb, along with our panelists, will examine the dynamics of British politics and new developments on the British Right. From the threats facing the Conservative Party, now led by Kemi Badenoch and facing an existential crisis amid historically low polling, to its possible replacement by Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. He will also address the lessons he learned as Minister for Schools, and the policies needed to ensure student improvement and merit-based education. Join us for this discussion to better understand British politics in the 21st Century and how the values of classical education can be utilized to develop better schools and students.

Participants:

· Sir Nick Gibb, Former Minister of Education of the United Kingdom

· Calum T. M. Nicholson, Director of Research at the Danube Institute

· János Setényi, Director of the Learning Institute

· Moderator: Marco V. Crivellaro, Library and Research Studio Coordinator at the American Community Schools of Athens, Visiting Fellow at MCC