The MP for Leigh is already familiar with education-related policies, having had experience of children and young people's issues in previous periods as both Culture and Health Secretary. He also jokes that with two brothers in senior teaching positions, he has plenty of "backseat drivers" to keep him in check.
Having arrived in post following a number of major announcements from Education Secretary Michael Gove, Burnham is keen to hit the ground running and start to challenge what he dubs Gove's "ideological experiment".
"My greatest concern is that they're introducing an elitist education system," says Burnham. "Money is following those prepared to take part in the experiment, rather than those that need it."
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