Ms Glass was appointed following the resignation of more than a dozen Labour frontbenchers in the aftermath of the vote to leave the European Union.
A former Labour councillor in the north-east and with a long career in education, Ms Glass has held senior positions in local education authorities across the country.
She advised the Government on education policy, and with expertise in special needs, she worked with councils to improve education across the Yorkshire Humber region.
Following her election as MP for North West Durham in 2010, Ms Glass became lead opposition member on the Education Select Committee.
She was initially appointed shadow education minister covering childcare and early years, in September 2015, when Jeremy Corbyn first formed his shadow cabinet.
She was then reshuffled to shadow Europe minister in January this year.
Reacting to the appointment, Pre school Learning Alliance chief executive Neil Leitch said, ‘We warmly welcome the appointment of Pat Glass as shadow education secretary.
'With a strong background in education and having only recently left her position as shadow childcare minister, she is particularly well placed to direct and inform Labour policy on early education and care.
‘At a time of exceptional political uncertainty, we look forward to working with Ms Glass to monitor the progress of childcare policy in England, and to ensure that the early years sector, and the sustainability of the service we deliver to children and families, is adequately supported going forward.’
It later emerged that shadow childcare minister Jenny Chapman, who replaced Ms Glass when she became Europe minister, has also resigned from the Labour front bench.
Prior to becoming MP for Darlington in Co Durham, she was a local councillor, serving as lead member for children’s services for Darlington Borough Council.