THEIR promotion to head up Southampton’s schools and children’s services – with a combined £226m budget – was met with shock by the city’s education professionals.

One teaching union chief revealed he “fell about laughing” on hearing a 20-year-old student, who sat his final university exam on Tuesday, has now been handed responsibility for the city’s 85 schools.

He also predicted that head teachers would be “laughing their socks off” over the appointment.

But last night, Councillor Paul Holmes insisted he is up to the job.

The morning after sitting their final politics exams at the University of Southampton, he and Councillor Ben Walker reported for duty at 8.30am yesterday, spending their first day as full-time Cabinet members meeting senior executives at the Civic Centre.

The pair – who say they have been compared to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and David Cameron and George Osborne – said they have plenty of experience, having spent a year as elected councillors.

“I would say to the people of Southampton, give us a chance. Please don’t judge us by our age,” said Cllr Holmes.

Daily Echo: Mixed reception for Southampton’s young new education chiefs

“Just because we’re young doesn’t mean we’re not hardworking and determined to improve the situation in Southampton.

“It’s not a hard thing to know what a parent wants – the best education they can get, choice, and for their children to be happy and secure – and that’s what we’re looking to provide.

“Wait and see, and let us get into the role and start delivering, and then if we disappoint I’m sure the electorate will let us know about it.”

The city is currently languishing near the bottom of league tables for GCSE and Key Stage 2 results, and has above-average truancy rates, but both councillors say they are excited by the challenges before them.

“We have two new academies, and while it takes a while for new schools to bed in, looking at Government studies they have a proven track record of attainment,” said Cllr Walker.

But NASUWT union representative Ron Clooney said he was stunned by the new appointments.

“He may be a very bright and amiable young man, but dealing with 85 schools, setting education policy in an authority which often has difficulties adhering to what Government ministers say? I can’t see this guy being able to cope with it, and that’s the honest truth,” he said.

“It’s completely and utterly absurd. I would have thought the head teachers will be laughing their socks off, because it will give them the opportunity to do what they want to do.”

Bitterne Park School head teacher Susan Trigger believes the councillors are well placed to connect with the needs of teenagers.

“The age issue is something I would see as a positive, in particular with understanding the needs of young people,” she said.