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Ted Wragg, satirist of education world, dies at 67

Education Editor,Richard Garner
Thursday 10 November 2005 20:00 EST
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The head of education at the University of Exeter until two years ago, Professor Wragg was best-known for his columns in national newspapers, including The Independent, satirising the education world and key figures in it. He renamed Lord Adonis, the Schools minister and former chief education adviser to Tony Blair at No 10, Tony Zoffis (as in Tony's office). He was also portrayed as being in a constant power struggle with Ruth Kelly, the Secretary of State for Education, known as "Ruth Dalek" or "The Duchess of Drivel".

He was also well-known for his TV work. This summer he helped in the Channel 4 series, The Unteachables, in which "superteachers" took on disaffected youngsters excluded from schools to instil a love of learning. He was also a script adviser on education for Channel 4's Bremner, Bird and Fortune programme.

Mary Bousted, the general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: "Ted Wragg delighted teachers by his supreme ability to dissect the inconsistencies and incoherencies of politicians and public servants. His experience, knowledge and his devastating wit will be missed."

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