Responding to the speech by shadow education secretary at the Centre for Social
Justice, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders'
union NAHT, said:
“The shadow secretary of state is right to highlight the range of
crises schools are currently facing.
"Whether it be the recruitment and retention crisis, harm caused
by Ofsted, crumbling buildings or the impact of child poverty,
these are concerns that will resonate with school leaders who are
working tirelessly to keep delivering for children, despite the
many hurdles they are constantly having to overcome.
“Whoever forms the next government, there is a pressing need to
start bringing meaningful solutions to these deep-rooted
problems, and to work with the profession to determine what these
solutions look like.
“Proposals to improve mental health services for children, a
focus on recruitment and retention of teachers, the removal of
single-word Ofsted judgements and a commitment to start
rebuilding some of the crucial support services that sit around
schools, are welcome.
“However, we have to be clear that such solutions will require
significant commitment and investment if we are to begin to
restore education to its rightful place as a national priority.
The next government will need to be bold and ambitious in its
vision for education.
“When it comes to improving attendance, we need to remember that
the focus cannot be on schools alone and the answers to the
complex causes will not be found through the accountability
system.
“NAHT continues to call for greater investment in specialist
support services to work closely with families where attendance
is a real concern.”
