John Haggitt Charles Patten, Baron Patten, PC, (born July 17, 1945) was a Conservative party Member of Parliament of Oxford West and Abingdon in the United Kingdom. He was raised Roman Catholic, and educated by the Jesuits at Wimbledon College. July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Conservative Party is the largest political party on the right-of-centre in the United Kingdom. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to a parliament; in the Westminster system, specifically to the lower house. ... Oxford West and Abingdon is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... A Jesuit school in Edge Hill, Wimbledon, founded in 1892 for improvement in living and learning to the greater glory of God and the common good. ...

He served as Secretary of State for Education from 1992 to 1994. He stood down at the 1997 general election, and thus avoided losing his seat, which was won by the Liberal Democrat Evan Harris. The Secretary of State for Education and Skills is the chief minister of the Department for Education and Skills in the United Kingdom government. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... The UK general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997. ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party based in the United Kingdom. ... Evan Harris Dr Evan Leslie Harris MP (born 21 October 1965) is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom. ...

Patten's record as education secretary has been described as "appalling" by David Hart, who recently retired after 26 years as general secretary of the NAHT, Britain's largest headteachers' union. The term General Secretary (alternatively First Secretary) denotes a leader of various unions, parties or associations. ...

He was made a life peer in 1997. In the United Kingdom, Life Peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles may not be inherited (those whose titles are inheritable are known as hereditary peers). ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Kenneth Clarke The Right Honourable Kenneth Harry Clarke, QC, MP, (born 2 July 1940) is a leading Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. ... The Secretary of State for Education and Skills is the chief minister of the Department for Education and Skills in the United Kingdom government. ... Gillian Shephard, Baroness Shephard of Northwold, PC (born January 22, 1940) is an British Conservative politician; she was the Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk, and a former Secretary of State. ...

External links

• Education Guardian - reference to Hart's analysis of Patten's record