Commenting on the education secretary’s speech to Labour Party Conference, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“The education secretary today painted a positive vision for the future of education in Britain. It’s high time that a Government puts children at the centre of its decisions. For too long, we endured the very opposite.
“The NEU welcomes what we have heard about the importance of creativity in the curriculum and allowing children to thrive. We want to work with Labour on the assessment and curriculum review.
“Labour has inherited a system in dire need of repair. Schools crumbling, workload sky-high, and teachers leaving in droves. There is a lot to be done, and to achieve this Labour needs to understand that it must invest in education.
“Fundamental change is needed on school accountability. Ofsted has had its day, and we need a new system which is supportive, effective and fair. Ofsted currently is none of these, even with the announced changes.
“One of the biggest differences Labour could make would be to tackle child poverty. The two-child benefit cap simply must go. It would lift thousands out of poverty overnight. Free breakfast clubs are welcome, but Labour must be bold and follow the example of London and Wales with universal free school meals for all primary-aged children. Children learn best when they are not hungry.”