Commenting on a speech by the Education Secretary at the Annual
Conference of the Association of School and College Leaders
(ASCL), Nick Brook, deputy general secretary of school leaders’
union NAHT, said:
On Oak Academy:
“Oak has been a valuable resource for schools during the pandemic
and it’s good to see that the teacher-developed resources will
continue to be available and developed further. It’s right that
this should be at arms-length from the DfE – it’s important that
it remains a resource created by schools for schools, led by the
profession. We are pleased to see that there is a commitment to
ensuring there remains a plurality and optionality of resources,
rather than a one-size fits all approach, giving schools the
ability to choose what is right and helpful for them and their
pupils.”
On Oak lessons in Ukrainian:
“This is a great move from the DfE and from Oak. I’m proud that
as a country our education service can move swiftly to provide
help and support educating those most in need.”
On EEF:
“We welcome the announcement of a re-endowment for the Education
Endowment Foundation (EEF). Since being formed, EEF have built a
global reputation in educational research, occupying a unique
position in the education landscape. We hope that with their new
endowment the EEF will continue to provide impartial and
independent evidence on education, free from vested interests.“
On teacher pay and starting salaries:
Ian Hartwright, senior policy advisor for school leaders' union
NAHT, said: “It is right for the DfE to suggest a move towards
finally getting to the promised £30K starting salary. But after
many years of real terms pay cuts, including this year’s pay
freeze, all teachers and leaders need their pay to be restored.
“The current suggestion for differentiated pay would mean that
higher starting salaries for ECTs are essentially being paid for
by lower uplifts for experienced teachers and leaders – making
experienced professionals worse off. This would be yet another
real terms pay cut for leaders while inflation is soaring and due
to rise even further.”
