Teacher’s petition thrusts her into national spotlight

Debra Kidd - massive support

Debra Kidd has found herself the unlikely leader of a national campaign against the Government’s education proposals.

The Saddleworth School teacher has gone from the brink of resigning to appearing on Channel 4 and the front page of The Independent thanks to the staggering success of her online petition.

It has been signed by more than 4,000 teachers, parents, retired teachers and others in under than three weeks.

English and philosophy tacher Debra (45), from Diggle, has also featured in the Guardian and met members of the education select committee at Westminster.

She acted after education secretary Michael Gove said 100 academics opposed to his curriculum changes belonged to a “sinister blob”.

He branded anyone who might associate with them “enemies of promise” and Debra said: “I was on the cusp of resigning. I felt demoralised by some of the language he used.”

She set up the petition on her Love Learning blog, where she wrote: “I never imagined it would have such an impact.”

Debra said she had hoped for 1,000 teachers to sign her petition over several weeks.

“It took 100 hours for 1,400 to sign - and they keep coming in.”

“My school has been very supportive,” she said.

“I have done this independently but the head teacher and some of our governors have signed the petition and share the concerns.”