New Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has appointed his shadow cabinet.
Ms Powell, was shadow childcare and children minister for a year until November 2014, before working as vice-chair of Ed Miliband’s election campaign.
During her time in the job she highlighted cuts to Sure Start, supported workplace nurseries, and wanted more two-year-olds in high quality early years settings, as opposed to formal learning in schools.
Ms Powell was elected as MP for Manchester Central at a by-electionin 2012.
She was born in Manchester and attended Parrs Wood High School and Xaverian Sixth Form College, before going on to study Chemistry at Oxford University and King’s College London.
On Twitter Ms Powell said, ‘Thanks for kind msgs abt my appointment as Shadow Education Secretary. It’s a role I’m passionate about & where I hope to make a difference.’
Ms Powell has been congratulated by the sector.
Commenting on the appointment, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said, ‘We warmly welcome Lucy’s appointment as shadow education secretary. As shadow childcare minister, she demonstrated a clear willingness to engage with the early years sector, and we hope that she will continue with this collaborative approach as she begins work on her broader education remit.
‘With the Childcare Bill currently on its way through parliament, now is a critical time for honest and open discussions about the future of the early years sector. We at the Alliance look forward to working with representatives from across the political parties to ensure the development of child-focused, evidence-based, sustainable early years policy.’
Liz Bayram, chief executive of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years, said, ‘We would like to congratulate Lucy on her appointment as shadow education secretary in Labour’s new shadow cabinet. She was very supportive of childcare and early years in her previous time as a shadow education minister.
'We very much look forward to working with her and her team on a wide range of issues at this crucial time in early years education; not least in ensuring the planned expansion in free early years entitlement has sufficient funding and in joining us in our call for a comprehensive workforce strategy to help early years professionals develop throughout their careers.’
Shadow minister for children and families?
Mr Corbyn has yet to name the shadow minister for children and families, currently Sharon Hodgson.
The new Labour leader is reported to be considering adding responsibility for national play policy to the role. The plan has been backed by the Association of Play Industries. The API is a founding member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for a Fit and Healthy Childhood, co-chaired by Baroness Floella Benjamin, which has also called for the appointment of a cabinet minister for children.
The new shadow women and equalities minister is Kate Green. The role was previously part of the shadow children and families brief.
Gloria De Piero has been named as shadow minister for young people and voter registration. There is also a new position of shadow minister for mental health, which will be held by Luciana Berger.
There are more women in the shadow cabinet than ever before, with 16 women and 15 men.
After finalising the shadow cabinet Mr Corbyn said, 'We have delivered a unifying, dynamic, inclusive new Shadow Cabinet which for the first time ever has a majority of women.
'I am delighted that we have established a shadow cabinet position for mental health which is a matter I have long been interested in.
'Angela Eagle’s appointment as the shadow first secretary of state means she will deputise for me when David Cameron is not available for Prime Minister’s Questions.
'The shadow cabinet is a strong combination of change and continuity that will now come together to hold this government to account, starting today with this pernicious Trade Union Bill.'
Other shadow cabinet appointments are John McDonnell as shadow chancellor, Andy Burnham as shadow home secretary and Hilary Benn as shadow foreign secretary.
Angela Eagle has been appointed as shadow business secretary.
The chief whip is Rosie Winterton and shadow health secretary is Heidi Alexander.
Yvette Cooper, the former shadow home secretary, will chair Labour’s taskforce on refugees.
