Gordon Brown entered 10 Downing Street one year ago quoting his school motto. The biographer of his predecessor - and head of Wellington College - gives his end-of-year report on the prime minister's performance.
Attendance: Excellent. Gordon has not missed a single day.
Health: Gordon too often looks tired, and does not give the impression that he is enjoying the job much.
Conduct: Gordon has been known to bully smaller boys when he is cross.
English: Gordon has listened to others too much, especially to those more concerned with image than substance. His spoken English lacks sparkle and energy.
Maths: Gordon is outstandingly numerate. But his calculations are influenced more by optimism than reality. He has a peculiar difficulty with the number 42.
Geography: He is more enthusiastic about Europe than many of his classmates, but was ill at ease on a recent school trip to Lisbon, and spent a lot of time on his own. He implied he would give up Iraq, but this year he has failed to achieve that ambition, while remaining resolutely committed to Afghanistan. He is embarrassed by the American Head Boy, and is eager to see his successor take over.
History: Gordon has a deep knowledge of British and American history and has a particular penchant for Stalin. But he should reflect on what happened to the Conservative Party in the late 1990s, and in particular the fate of Head Boy Major.
Nature: Gordon likes the environment, and early on as Head Boy, appeared very enthusiastic about the possibilities of adding a wind turbine to the school roof. Another area where Gordon needs greater application and consistency.
Extra curricular activities: None, except spinning. Needs to do more exercise.
Headmaster's comment: We expected more from Gordon. His first year as Head Boy suffered because, despite his long wait, he still arrived without a clear idea of what he wanted to achieve, and his attempts to be popular have backfired badly.
Next year he must select just three or four priorities, and then stick to them. He hasn't got much time to turn things around, and we have the major school inspection looming in 2010.
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