Latest

The most recent blogs and press releases from the National Education Union.

Combining the expertise and experience of ATL and the NUT the National Education Union is the UK’s largest education union. We are an effective and powerful voice – championing everyone who works in education.

We need to stand and fight

Stefan Simms, Ealing NUT Section Divisional Secretary and National Executive Member for Outer London, has used rep density and his motorbike to encourage members in Ealing to vote in the NEU indicative ballot.

Why is Ofsted venturing so far into the detail of cognitive science?

Warwick Mansell takes a look at some of the contentious ideas about knowledge that appear to be guiding Ofsted’s view of the curriculum.
UKDHM

UK Disability History Month 2018

Richard Rieser UK Disability History Month coordinator writes on how UKDHM 2018 will focus on Disability and Music.

Latest press releases

Consultation of Members on School Funding

21 January 2019. “The Government’s policy on school funding and teacher pay is having a dreadful impact on the profession and the children they teach. They are presiding over a reduction in the number of teachers, alongside a growth in the number of students. Their policies are creating a crisis in both teacher recruitment and retention. The NEU Executive will be meeting to discuss these findings and will be considering the next steps in the campaign.” Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union

School Cuts Coalition Stands By Figures Challenged by Deputy Chair of Conservative Party

17 January 2019: The UK Statistics Authority is concerned that some readers might believe that all of these cuts are yet to happen. We are happy to clarify: the clear facts are that 91% of schools will experience real-terms cuts between 2015 and 2020. Some of those cuts have already happened, some are yet to come. All of them are damaging to children’s education.

EPI on Childcare Workers

17 January 2019: “The EPI’s report points out the gap between rhetoric and reality: by allowing a situation in which poor training opportunities and low wage levels are the norm, Government neglect is profoundly damaging children’s chances of success". Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union.

Ofsted consultation on changes to education inspection framework

16 January 2019: “The uncomfortable truth for Ofsted is that the practices it deplores - the narrowing of the school curriculum and teaching to the test - have been the results of its own enforcement, through inspection, of a range of narrow measures to judge school quality“. Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union.

School Finances

11 January 2019: "The report shows that despite cuts in educational provision, school finances are continuing to deteriorate". Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union.

PAC report: Poor NHS mental health provision for young people

11 January 2019: "We agree that prevention and early intervention initiatives are key to addressing mental health problems amongst children and young people". Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union.

Broken promises from Government on school funding

7 January 2019: "This is yet another failure and another broken promise by Government on school funding. The fact remains that schools were never going to manage on the money promised by Government". Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union.

School Holiday Poverty

21 December 2018: We are witnessing levels of poverty in our schools and colleges on a scale not seen in recent times. While this money is welcome it will not resolve the huge problems that poverty brings to children and young people’s lives and education. Nor should this money be allocated on a lottery basis – if a school needs money to support its pupils, it should receive it.

NEU comment: Sutton Trust on Academy Chains

20 December 2018: This report conclusively shows that the expansion of Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) under the academy programme has not delivered on what it was supposed to. In fact it’s done the opposite, with two-thirds of academy chains performing below the national average for disadvantaged pupils.

NEU survey: Teachers witnessing distressing new levels of child poverty this winter in schools

17 December 2018: This survey shows a Dickensian picture of the poverty that far too many children and their families are having to endure. The Government is out of touch with the distressing new reality of children’s daily lives: with what it means to live without enough money for basics, such as food, shoes and adequate clothing.

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Press contacts

If you have any media enquiries, please contact the National Education Union as outlined below.

  • Press Office direct lines: 0207 380 4706
  • Out of hours: 07879 480061
  • Switchboard: 0345 811 8111
  • email the press office

Northern Ireland

  • Press office: 028 90782020 / 07918 195070

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  • Press office: 02920 491818 / 07815 071 164