Commenting on the legislative agenda set out in the Lords today, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Today, the Government is making a clear commitment to address the challenges resulting from 14 years of neglect. However, the scale of the crisis in education means Labour will need more ambition to achieve an education system that all those who work in education want, and that pupils and parents deserve.
“Teaching must be restored to a high-status profession. One positive step is to return to the requirement that all teachers have Qualified Teacher Status. Parents rightly expect this. Greater emphasis on mentoring, collaboration and professional development should also be at the heart of Labour's plans.
“To address the teacher recruitment and retention crisis, we will need to see more progress on the issues of untenable workloads and falling real-terms pay that are driving so many out of the profession. Parents are well aware of the scale of problem, with teacher shortages across the curriculum. Children are now regularly taught by staff who are working outside their specialist subject.
“Support staff are an essential part of the education service and must be offered better terms and conditions. The incoming Government needs to get to grips with these issues, starting with a fully-funded, above inflation, pay rise for those who work in education. Teachers deserve a national contract that applies to all state-funded schools.
“We welcome Labour’s commitment to implement the new deal for working people, including not going ahead with the previous government’s anti-trade-union minimum service levels that were designed to reduce their right to strike.
“Multi-academy trusts need a new direction. In many MATs, the top slice of school budgets is too high, CEOs are overpaid, and poor employment practice needs to be addressed. Bringing MATs into the school inspection system is a sensible principle. However, the need for wholescale reform of the inspection is now impossible to ignore. Ofsted is not fit for purpose and must be replaced with a system that is supportive, effective and fair.
“The national curriculum is an entitlement every pupil deserves. A level playing field is an essential part of opportunity. The Government’s curriculum and assessment review must lead to a wider and more inclusive vision for education, which values every child. We look forward to seeing the details.
“The NEU agrees that stronger oversight of pupils who are not in school is required. There is much that could be done to better engage secondary students – a more accessible curriculum, smaller class sizes and more time for teaching staff. The proposal to make school uniforms more affordable recognises one of the leading barriers to attendance.
“Child poverty is a blight on this country, and it is time for a total re-think of how we support disadvantaged students. Compared to overall Government expenditure, removing the two-child limit costs very little and will lift hundreds of thousands out of poverty at a stroke. Introducing universal breakfast clubs is a step forward, but the aim should be free school meals for all pupils, which would result in a net benefit to the economy.
“The new Government’s focus on housing is right and we hope they can deliver where predecessors failed. Insecure housing, over-crowded homes and high rental costs are a problem for millions of families and has an impact on access to education and a good childhood.
“The Children’s Wellbeing Bill only covers part of what the new government can do to respond to the big challenges. Labour’s intention to reset the relationship with the profession is welcome, and we look forward to working with them to repair the damage of the last 14 years.”