Speaking following the speech of Education Secretary to the Labour Party
Conference, NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick
Roach said:
“The Education Secretary has today set out a very compelling
vision for securing stronger foundations that will give all
children the opportunity to succeed in life.
“It is welcome that the new government is putting its priority on
a plan which works for all children.
“Children only get one chance and it is clear that the government
is determined to act with urgency to improve outcomes, remove
barriers to learning, and tackle the scourge of poverty which is
blighting the lives of so many young people.
“The last 14 years have seen more and more pressure and
responsibility being placed onto schools while the wider network
of support services have faced deep cuts. It is welcome that the
Education Secretary is determined build better support for
children, young people and families both within and beyond the
school gates.
“It's vitally important that the new government invests in
restoring wraparound support to remove barriers to learning.
“Rebuilding a world class education system will require the new
government to work in partnership with unions and employers to
secure a New Deal for children's education, and it was welcome to
hear the Education Secretary's commitment to doing so.”
Responding to both the speech made by the secretary of state for
education, to Labour Party
conference, and her plans to rollout nursery provision in
schools, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leaders'
union, NAHT said:
“We welcome the Secretary of State's commitment to work closely
with the profession, and her commitment to bring about a new era
of child centred government. For too long, leaders and teachers
have succeeded in spite of, not because of government policy. It
is refreshing to see the rhetoric is backed up by action - this
year's above inflation pay award, the scrapping of single word
Ofsted judgments and the opening of the curriculum and assessment
review - is helping to build trust with leaders and teachers.
“It is understandable that government is looking to expand
nursery provision in schools where there is space to do so. An
early adopters scheme will certainly help schools that have
already been considering setting up nursery provision to move
ahead with their plans. Crucially, it should also help government
to learn more about what will be needed to make a future roll-out
of the policy a success. Key to that will be meaningful action to
tackle the current workforce crisis the early years sector is
facing.”
