The government needs to move on from the divisiveness of Tom Bennett

England's record on pupil engagement with school, and the Conservative government's behaviour adviser's social media profile, should give Labour pause for thought.

Tom Bennett, who was appointed the government’s lead adviser on school behaviour under the Conservatives, has said that he is applying for the role of “behaviour ambassador” to the Department for Education. How should ministers react?

To anyone not familiar with the details of England’s behaviour debate, Mr Bennett will seem the obvious candidate, having been in the position most closely corresponding to this role under the previous administration, and having often been presented in the media as a non-partisan expert commentator on classroom discipline. Because of the platform given to him by the previous government and the communication qualities he brought to the job, he is the most prominent person in the field.

However, with this government taking a more nuanced, less ideological approach to school reform than did its predecessors, there is a strong case for moving on, and appointing someone as a break from the past. And, to parents who have been concerned about the direction of school behaviour policies in recent years, this will be seen as desperately needed.