Responding after Labour leader outlined the party's plans for
the curriculum should it take power, Paul Whiteman, general
secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, said:
“It is good to see Labour fleshing out their plans for education
should they win the next election.
"There is much here that we would welcome, including the strong
focus on recruitment and retention of teachers and leaders,
better mental health and support services for young people, and a
commitment to reform the current inspection regime. We also
welcome the proposed curriculum and assessment review, and we
stand ready to contribute to any such review.
"A renewed focus on a genuinely broad and balanced curriculum is
something to welcome. There is no doubt we have seen a narrowing
of the curriculum under the current government and school leaders
will support a fresh approach.
“Many of these proposals have the potential to have a positive
impact on schools if they are carefully implemented in
collaboration with the profession. For too long, school leaders
and teachers have felt that education policy has been done to
them, rather than with them, and a change of approach would be
extremely welcome.
“We cannot escape the fundamental truth that a world-class
education system requires sufficient funding and resources. The
cuts to school funding over the last decade have done serious
damage and it’s crucial that the next government commits to
increasing investment over the long-term.”
