In a move that has sparked controversy among educators, the Education Secretary has come to the defense of a series of promotional videos featuring a reality TV star from The Only Way Is Essex. The videos, which aim to encourage young people to pursue post-16 education, have been criticized for their use of celebrity endorsements and lack of substance. Critics argue that the videos are more focused on entertainment value than providing genuine information about the benefits of further education. The Education Secretary's decision to support the campaign has raised questions about the effectiveness of using celebrity influencers to promote education and the priorities of the government's education policy.


The education secretary defends videos starring The Only Way Is Essex star promoting post-16 education.