Commenting on the passing of Motion 13 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“The marketisation and privatisation of schools through academisation is a costly and hugely disruptive policy which has had negative effects on all aspects of education. It has not generated any of the benefits once claimed for it in terms of improving pupil outcomes or freedom for schools, and it has set our education system on entirely the wrong path
“It has unleashed competitive pressures which mean schools are incentivised to prioritise their own interests, undermining effective collaboration, and leading to a narrowing of the curriculum and educational opportunity for pupils.
“An education system that is fit for our children and best prepares them for the challenges they will face in life and work, is one that has the fullest participation of staff, pupils, parents and the wider community. But the continued fragmentation of our school system and the growing power, size and centralisation of multi-academy trusts is taking us is not the answer.
“Building union voice within the multi-academy trust (MAT) sector is central to the fight for a better and more equitable education system. After all, educators’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions. The NEU will continue to encourage and develop networks of active, trained reps in MATs seeking to level up to the very best terms and conditions for members and ensure they are afforded the professional autonomy to use their knowledge, skills, and experience to deliver the very best education for our children.
“Up and down the country our members have stood with parents and communities against attempts to railroad schools into becoming academies. They recognise that transferring their school into the hands of an unaccountable private organisation is not in the interests of pupils and their education.
“It is time that politicians committed to building an education system which is organised on democratic principles, and planned in the best interests of staff, pupils, parents and the wider community.”
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2023-051-NEU