I am delighted by the support I have received from colleagues. It reflects the optimistic message that I've been putting forward.

The single most important thing in a child's performance is the quality of the teacher. Making sure a child spends the maximum amount of time with inspirational teachers is the most important thing.

It is literally the case that learning languages makes you smarter. The neural networks in the brain strengthen as a result of language learning.

Learning a foreign language, and the culture that goes with it, is one of the most useful things we can do to broaden the empathy and imaginative sympathy and cultural outlook of children.

For a few spotty years, I was that tragic geek

Proper history teaching is being crushed under the weight of play-based pedagogy which infantilises children, teachers and our culture.

I'm a decentralizer. I believe in trusting professionals.

It's often the case that successful people invite criticism.

I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris [Johnson] cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead.

I have a different starting premise from those 100 academics who are so heavily invested in the regime of low expectations and narrow horizons which they have created.

I will take all the steps necessary to give the NHS at least another £100million per week by 2020.

Celebrate life as it is, let it go to find out what it could be.

Part of the art of bowling spin is to make the batsman think something special is happening when it isn't.

I'm a sucker for a sad song.

The life without men praise and regard as successful is but one kind. Why should we exaggerate any one kind at the expense of the others?

I feel like we as human beings are trampling all over the natural world, but at the same time, we are totally in its power.

I'm just going to try and be a good dad and not spoil the kid: give him love and encouragement but also discipline. Me and my woman, we don't want him to feel too entitled.

I wanted each woman to be a rebellious Vashti, not an Esther.

I was touching on the idea of the autonomous militaristic or autonomous law enforcement idea, but it wasn't the primary driving force.

Banking gives you a glimpse into what makes companies succeed and what makes companies fail.

Bright-eyed Fancy, hov'ring o'er, Scatters from her pictured urn Thoughts that breathe and words that burn.