
Sutton Trust report on exams
Sutton Trust report shows continuing impact of pandemic on this year's exams
The National Education Union is the UK’s largest education union. We are an effective and powerful voice – championing everyone who works in education.
Sutton Trust report shows continuing impact of pandemic on this year's exams
NEU Northern Ireland calls for review of cost of school uniforms during once in a generation cost-of-living crisis.
Joint unions express grave concerns over damage to education system of 2022/23 teacher pay award.
Teachers don’t want to strike – they want to be in the classroom teaching our pupils. But we cannot stand by and watch the biggest real-terms decline in teacher pay this century.
The Government needs to recognise the changed circumstances since the 2021 Spending Review and put more money into our children’s futures.
Pupil absences have risen by over 50% in the past four weeks: more than one in eight pupils are now off school.
These are appalling figures, behind which are real lives and real suffering. This is the harsh truth of life in the UK today.
£1 billion on school buildings is welcome, but schools have faced capital funding cuts much larger.
As the eighth Secretary of State for Education since 2014, and the third since Tuesday, we hope that James Cleverly will immediately address the issues that are vital to young children and the teaching profession.
It is simply not credible to claim a government is still governing when the education department is almost entirely empty.
NEU comments on the appointment of Nadhim Zahawi as Chancellor and Michelle Donelan as Education Secretary.
Students and teachers have worked incredibly hard this year, but it remains the case that SATs and other statutory tests do not support children’s learning.
An inflation-plus pay rise for all teachers is essential, especially now we are in a cost-of-living crisis with RPI inflation standing at 11.7%.
Call to scrap High Needs deficits and boost for mainstream inclusion is correct - but more fundamental changes in attitudes and approach are needed.
82.9% of NEU Cymru members surveyed are concerned about the change in the pattern of the school year.
Given this very poor pay proposal, NEU Cymru will ballot our members in the autumn. We simply cannot allow these attacks on our members pay and their standards of living to continue.
Extra INSET days to support the new curriculum were hard fought for by the unions, to support the workforce to plan for their learners.
National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) report on teacher shortages in STEM subjects.
A sobering report that shows how unequal the life chances of different groups of young people remain.
NEU joint general secretaries write to Nadhim Zahawi as inflation hits 11.7%
The NEU believes that financially incentivising training providers and employers would go a long way to helping young people into employment and training.
Deep rooted problems with teacher recruitment and retention have not been solved.
This report is another indicator of the gulf between government policies and the needs of education.
The Government is once again ignoring advice from its own expert advisers in rejecting the call to make sure all families on Universal Credit are eligible for FSM.
The NEU entirely agrees with the minister that the expertise that schools can draw upon shouldn't be limited by geographical location.
Education Secretary announces 14,000 extra school places as well as new free schools and standalone sixth forms.
The number of children eligible for Free School Meals has risen to 1,897,449, an increase of 49% over the 1,270,914 children eligible in 2019
It is clear that the problems are getting worse - even before the impact of the Government's plans to cut the value of teacher pay.
The report makes a number of important conclusions. As the Education Bill makes its way through the legislative process, Ministers must review the impact of academisation on primary schools.
NEU joins legal filing against unlawful move to force Holland Park School into a multi-academy trust.
Discrimination against trans pupils is illegal under the 2010 Equality Act.
Further academisation does not figure on the list of priorities for anyone involved in education.
RPI inflation hit 11% in April, its highest in over 40 years.
The Office for Statistics Regulation has today agreed with the NEU’s complaint about the Government’s evidence document.
At a time when Black teachers especially in senior positions are so under-represented, it is unacceptable that the pipeline to teaching careers is blighted with racial disparities.
NEU comments on recommendation to include the impact on children and young people in the Baroness Hallett Inquiry’s remit.
The Government continues to underfund SEND education, and its SEND and Alternative Provision Green Paper does not contain the scale of ambition required to tackle this crisis.
To be relevant to real world problems, the Schools Bill needs comprehensive amendment.
The Government claims that its new Schools Bill will level up education opportunity. It will do no such thing. It displays an alarming lack of aspiration and ambition.
Commenting on the announcement of subject content and assessment arrangements for 2022/23
Comment on a new report from the Local Government Association
Teachers across England mark 30 years of Ofsted with hand delivered 'unhappy' birthday cards
Ofqual are right that the pandemic has catalysed questions about assessment in England, however the questions they address are far too limited
The NEU shares the concerns from this report about the disproportionate exclusions of Black, SEND and poor students.
Comment on the launch of the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, including the introduction of a Natural History GCSE
Comment on the passing of Motion 24 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union,
Comment on the passing of Motion 23 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union,
Commenting on the passing of Motion 22 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
In the latest annual survey of 1,788 National Education Union members, conducted ahead of Annual Conference in Bournemouth, we asked about nationally set assessments, including Key Stage 2, GCSEs and A Levels.
Comment on the passing of Motion 39 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union,
Comment on the passing of Motion 8 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 21 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of an urgent motion at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 47 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 45 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 44 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Commenting on the passing of Motion 43 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Unio
Comment on the passing of Motion 14 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 13 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 12 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 11 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of an urgent motion on the Schools White Paper at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 38 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 37 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 36 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 35 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 34 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
The latest annual survey of 1,788 National Education Union members, conducted ahead of Annual Conference in Bournemouth, shows the strength of feeling about and widespread witnessing of child poverty in England’s schools.
Comment on the passing of Motion 33 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on remarks made by Michael Fabricant MP following the announcement of fixed penalty notices for the Prime Minister and Chancellor
Comment on the passing of Motion 20 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Commenting on the passing of Motion 42 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 41 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 19 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 18 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 32 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
In the latest survey of 1,200 NEU members working as teachers and support staff in independent schools, there is a clear trend in falling living standards. And as pay stagnates, workload remains high.
Comment on the launch of the National Education Union’s Anti-Racist Charter framework at Annual Conference in Bournemouth
The NEU's State of Education survey findings on the mental health challenges in schools
Comment on the passing of Motion 31 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union,
Comment on the passing of Motion 30 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 29 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 17 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 16 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 15 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of an urgent motion on Children’s Rights and Police in Schools at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Today, the National Education Union (NEU) has launched a new accountability campaign and national petition calling for the replacement of Ofsted with a new approach to school and college evaluation which is supportive, effective and fair.
Comment on the passing of Motion 10 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 9 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 7 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 6 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Comment on the passing of Motion 5 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
School inspection and Ofsted’s credibility gap
The latest annual survey of 1,788 National Education Union members, conducted ahead of Annual Conference in Bournemouth, shows a rise in the number of teachers intending to leave the profession.
With inflation running at 6.2% and projected by the Bank of England to rise to over 8% in the time ahead teachers are right to have rejected the pay offer made to them.
It's a relief that the feedback from schools has been heeded.
Measures are being relaxed at a time when Covid-19 cases are surging in schools and colleges. This makes no sense.
NEU analysis of the Government document shows that the evidence for forcing schools into MATs is badly flawed.
A relief to see SEND and AP education are a priority for the Education Secretary.
This is a White Paper which does not reflect on the mistakes of the past, does not address the problems of the Covid-19 present and does not have the answers for the future.
Extra money for mental health support for the education workforce should mean that schools are able to identify and support staff with their wellbeing.
We hope this policy will increase take up of free school meals
Schools white paper to outline plans for 32.5 hour school week.
NEU comment on the use of 2022 SATs and GCSE results by Ofsted
The report makes all too clear that the proposed plans are likely to be both unworkable and damaging. The rationale of the academy system - based on competition between chains - means there will always be schools that are left unsupported.
The LGA is right to point out the importance of ensuring no child or young person eligible for free school meals misses out on this essential service which is vital both for pupils' education and health.
The Chancellor has missed an opportunity to protect our children’s futures in his Spring Statement.
Low pay, unmanageable workload and an overbearing accountability system is rendering the teaching profession unattractive to many.
Almost a quarter of schools have more than 15% of their teachers and school leaders absent, a figure that has more than doubled in a fortnight.
The Government's decision to stop Covid-19 testing in schools has made education disruption more likely, not less.
GDST NEU members voted to accept employer offer.
We need an education system that values teachers as professionals, and they must be able to feel ownership of their professional practice.
The new curriculum body must value teachers’ expertise and genuinely harness it so that we can support collaboration.
A serious warning from the Education Committee that Government must provide enough support for disadvantaged young people or risk deepening inequalities.
The IFS research and the worsening inflation outlook reinforce the NEU's call for the restoration of the pay losses imposed on teachers and other educators since 2010.
Imposing lower increases for more experienced teachers and headteachers is deeply unfair, will damage morale and will actually increase the retention problems already facing the profession.
Education unions call on the Government to repair damage to teacher and school leader pay
Education unions are calling on the Government to avoid further pay cuts and urgently repair the damage that has already been done.
This report exposes the lack of Government support and commitment to colleges.
This report from the PAC highlights problems in the education system that are long standing and have seriously hindered the ability of schools to give every child the education they deserve.
The research highlights that to help current and future students flourish in the 21st century, England must change its approach to assessment and qualifications. If no change to assessment is made, these problems will persist.
This report adds to the accumulating evidence that the National Curriculum for English stands on weak foundations.
We strongly criticise the Government’s decision to de-fund AGQs which include BTECs and Cam Techs at level 3. Scrapping these will massively impact disadvantaged students who f have used these qualifications to progress to higher education and into employment for years
Department for Education backs down over forced academisation for schools in Hallam Diocese
NEU strike days this week at Howell’s School to go ahead.
Yet again teachers rank very highly in the list of professions working the most unpaid overtime.
It is welcome that the effects of the Omicron wave are now fading in schools, but it would be wrong to leap to the conclusion that the fight against Covid-19 is over.
Once again an announcement has been made by the Prime Minister without any guidance for schools in place.
There is absolutely no need for new guidance on how to appropriately handle political and social subjects in schools.
Message from the NEU Northern Ireland Regional Secretary
Today saw an historic strike by NEU teacher members who work in Girls' Day School Trust's 23 independent schools.
Disturbing report showing anti-Jewish hate incidents involving schools, school students and teachers in 2021.
A damning verdict on the dismal record of governments over the last decade and more, with years of rhetoric and precious little effective action.
Restoring the value of the Pupil Premium is a necessary step if the Government is going to live up to its promise to eradicate school cuts.
Academy orders issued to schools in Hallam Diocese ‘unlawfully’, say education unions
The fall in Covid-related absence is welcome but overall numbers still remain high.
The National Education Union is proud to support Safer Internet Day to promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people.
The release of this 'advanced' information comes too late.
In one week from now, on 10 February, teacher members of the NEU at Howells School will go on strike to defend their pensions.
Countdown to strike action at GDST’s 23 independent schools
This White Paper does not provide sensible solutions to the lack of school and college funding, nor the exam factory culture.
NEU Cymru agrees more support needed to prepare for the new curriculum.
Many of the schools promised support were those hardest hit by the Government's education cuts.
Teachers vote to strike over pensions in GDST’s 23 independent schools
NEU Cymru welcomes Minister’s announcement on mitigations in schools.
Rising covid-related absences will mean disruption to education is going to get worse over the coming weeks.
ONS report into the education and social outcomes for students receiving free school meals in England
Joint letter to DfE on climate strategy in the curriculum
Schools and colleges are still feeling the impact of Covid-19. Government should be exercising a duty of care to the nation’s pupils and the staff who educate them.
The report adds to the case for abolishing the phonics check and for stepping back from Ofsted’s enforcement of a single approach to the teaching of reading.
We are concerned that the help that is now offered to families has been cut down to completely inadequate levels and more and more families are being pushed into poverty.
Government needs to take urgent action to tackle the root causes of poverty, as well as the symptoms.
This report is further evidence that pupils from more deprived backgrounds are being hit hardest by coronavirus.
It is now abundantly clear that the effects of Omicron on the operation of schools are highly significant.
This report gives a clear message to Government that listening to the profession is of vital importance.
Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council (NITC) say the mitigations currently in place in schools are not sufficient to meet the challenge of adequately protecting our members or the children and young people in their care.
The Government shows that it recognises the problems but has failed to provide effective solutions.
Six trade unions representing the majority of education staff have issued a joint statement prior to the return of schools and colleges for the spring term.
This announcement won't have an impact on transmission rates in schools or make a significant difference to the turbulence that schools and colleges are experiencing due to Covid. This makes the case stronger for Government to introduce better mitigations.
The Government can afford to pay teachers properly and the country can't afford it not to.
With this call for retired teachers to come forward the Government is admitting they are assuming there will be substantial disruption of education in January.
ONS stats shows educators 37% more likely to catch Covid than other workers.
College staff are key in ensuring future generations have the skills they need for their own careers and the greater economic good, and shouldn’t be on poverty pay.
New NEU analysis finds distribution and shortfall in school funding will entrench social division.
The Estyn report on peer-on-peer harassment in schools in Wales shows us there is a need to support young people to make safe and healthy choices.
NEU Cymru notes additional planning days at the start of term
Labour is absolutely right to call upon the Government to 'act now' so we can avoid a repeat of the chaos that schools had to endure at the start of 2021.
Boris Johnson has not kept his eye on the ball, and his lack of action in ensuring schools have measures in place to keep on top of ever-increasing Covid-19 infection rates is shocking.
Boris Johnson needs to increase safety mitigations in schools and colleges.
Routine inspections have been an unnecessary distraction during this term. Government has recognised this and has at least paused inspections until January, but they must go further.
Education unions call for pause to resumption of routine Ofsted inspections until after February half term.
The findings of the select committee are damning but not surprising to those in the education sector.
NEU strike ballot to go ahead in Girl's Day School Trust's Howell's School
The NEU is calling for the Government to introduce a plan B for schools and colleges now.
Government Plan B made no mention of schools, even as rising cases are leading to so much disruption of education.
The NEU thinks that this country cannot afford to even further erode the value of teachers’ pay - otherwise we will continue to fail to recruit and lose experienced teachers.
NEU writes to the Prime Minister supporting call for equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines.
Strike ballot to go ahead in Girls' Day School Trust's 23 independent schools.
There needs to be clear and immediate action from every part of Government to tackle the inequalities which have widened even further because of the pandemic.
Creative arts education should also be open to everyone, and creative activities may help our more disadvantaged learners to access the curriculum.
The report rightly says that the gap will require specific targeted and continued input to support the learning of disadvantaged children.
Successive Conservative governments have fallen short of their own teacher training targets year on year. 2021 is no different.
NEU Cymru welcomes the focus on wellbeing in the Estyn Annual Report
The delay by a full year to the new requirements is welcome, as are some of the other amendments to the requirements on providers and schools.
Today's attendance figures show that the half-term fall in case rates was only temporary. Covid-related absences are on the rise in both primary and secondary, and among teachers and school staff.
We have been involved in the campaign to bring flexibility to Northern Ireland’s school start for over a decade, and this consultation is a welcome step.
NEU Cymru looking to work with the Welsh Government to make sure learners and staff are kept as safe as possible.
"We welcome the change in pace on vaccination that will now allow adults working in schools and colleges to get their booster much earlier than anticipated.
We welcome the DfE guidance that masks must be worn by adults and children in year 7 and above in communal areas.
NEU survey shows importance of an inclusive and representative curriculum for LGBT+ equality
Schools work hard every day to engage and support pupils who for whatever reason are absent from class.
The report makes clear the perilous position of school finance at the local authority level. The deficit rose from £11 million in 2014-15 to £675 million in 2019-20.
NEU members ballot for strike action at independent sector Girls’ Day School Trust.
Successive Governments’ failures to plan properly for an expected pandemic have obviously contributed to the Covid crisis
Any measures from Government to support families, and bring the costs of school uniform down, are welcome.
Half term provided a reduction in the rates of transmission, which was foreseeable, but we do not have that fire shield to get us through the remainder of autumn term.
Teachers and leaders and pupils have again been left in limbo about how assessment would work if the exam system failed.
DfE climate change plans for education could be welcome if well planned and resourced.
NEU NI welcomes £5million ‘Healthy Happy Minds’ pilot for primary schools.
Latest pupil and school staff attendance data
British and Irish Teaching Unions' open letter for quality Climate Education
Teachers worked hard for all their pupils throughout the pandemic and the needs of disadvantaged is of paramount importance to school and college leaders and their staff.
Today, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak had a historic opportunity to value education and value educators. Despite his rhetoric he has failed.
The Chancellor must make good on this latest pledge to drive up pay for the public sector.
Post-16 education needs £6bn more in funding over the next three years.
NASUWT, NEU, UCU and UNISON have written to the Secretary of State for Education urging him to take action to ensure climate change education becomes fully embedded in the system.
The government response to sidesteps the questions of both racism and poverty.
The PAC report highlights that the Government is actually doing the reverse of levelling up.
The scale of learning lost in the pandemic cannot be overcome by some short term, piecemeal measures such as catch-ups.
It’s not right for the Government to put responsibility on the people but to refuse simple actions themselves.
We welcome the announcement that vaccination centres will open for 12-15 year olds over half-term, as the NEU previously called for.
150 representatives from maintained nursery schools in England march to Downing Street to deliver a petition to the Chancellor, calling on him to ‘take urgent action’ over funding.
The Department for Education must act to bring down the infection rate among secondary school age pupils which is causing far too much disruption to education.
NEU Cymru welcomes investment in ventilation.
NEU Cymru broadly welcomes Plaid/Labour Co-operation Agreement
We agree with the LGA that more school-based counselling would be a sensible step given the increased number of young people with anxiety and mental health issues.
NEU Cymru welcomes Qualifications Wales “national conversation”.
Schools cannot act alone. Urgent action to tackle the scourge of child poverty is needed from the Government.
Education Unions call for additional safety measures in schools
Unreasonable and intensive workload, pay and lack of professional agency is driving teachers from the profession in ever increasing numbers. This must be addressed by the Government urgently.
The rise in Covid cases in schools in England is extremely worrying. Over 100,000 pupils were absent last week with a confirmed case, two-thirds of them in secondary schools.
The cut to Universal Credit contradicts the Government’s promise to level up. The help that is now offered to families has been cut down to completely inadequate levels.
The pandemic has proved just how valuable schools are to children, young people and society. It's time to Value Education, Value Educators.
The Education Secretary has the opportunity to address the problems of education underfunding, child poverty and the pandemic.
Education unions call for Prime Minister to ‘keep his promise’ on education in Comprehensive Spending Review.
Labour have understood that any Government serious about education needs both a strategy to reduce child poverty and a strategy on boosting schools' capacity to serve every local child.
Labour are right to focus on small group work for the students who need it because much more of this will be needed than in a normal year and this requires funds for proper staffing.
Unfortunately, the researchers have drawn conclusions about the future of primary testing based on analysis of the regime almost ten years ago.
This report demonstrates the impact of coronavirus on families living on the brink. The NEU agrees with the Committee's call for a new cross-departmental strategy to tackle child poverty.
The whole pandemic has been characterised by school and college staff doing everything they can, but Government not doing enough. This must change.
The NEU congratulates the new Secretary of State for Education on being appointed to the most important position in the Cabinet.
Welsh Ministers have decided to go ahead with offering to vaccinate children.
Education unions respond have jointly to School Teachers' Review Body (STRB), criticising pay freeze imposed by Government. Teachers and school leaders have made an immense contribution to the country's pandemic response.
A narrowing of choice at A level will have a knock-on effect on the subjects which teachers will be qualified to teach in the future, sending us into a downward spiral of diminishing diversity.
The decision by the Chief Medical Officers to encourage the take up of vaccinations by 12-15 year olds will be another tool to help pupils sustain their access to education throughout the autumn and winter.
The NEU along with others have today launched a set of climate and sustainability teaching resources to support Climate Learning Month taking place from October 2021 in the run-up to COP 26.
This is an important report. It reminds us about the power of education to build societies.
Teachers need extra flexibility to target support at individual students and more time to work with groups who need additional help with some subjects. This requires more teachers and more support staff.
JCVI declines mass vaccination of 12-15 year olds
It is very good news and very reassuring that teachers have been found not to be at greater risk of hospitalisation because of Covid.
This statement from SAGE is a rebuke to Gavin Williamson. Nothing has been done to prepare for the possibility of large numbers of cases which will lead to lots of disruption for staff and pupils
We all want the return to school to be successful. This charm offensive from Government relies on the notion that the removal of safety requirements will magically transform school and college life.
Education Minister announces support for NQTs and focus on education recovery
This is a really welcome first step in accepting our argument that funding is needed for good ventilation. It is vital, though, that Government must also commit to supporting schools to address any ventilation problems identified by these monitors.
Providing good quality early education should be considered by Government and policymakers as vitally important and a funding priority, but for too long it has been starved.
Education unions make joint call for urgent action on ventilation in schools
This year's GCSE results can be relied upon to help students move on to their next step.
Welsh students can take comfort in receiving a grade based on the merits of their own work this year.
Congratulations to all students for their achievements this year and all the hard work that their teachers have done to make this possible.
Today’s results were achieved amidst unprecedented levels of disruption and adversity, but students can rest assured that they have been judged according to the work they have actually done.
The recommendation by JCVI for the vaccination of 16 and 17-year-olds will certainly help to protect young people, their families and communities and minimise disruption to education next academic year.
Our young people have one chance in education, and it falls to Government to ensure that the best possible environment is provided to them.
Education bodies write to Gavin Williamson urging him not to scrap BTEC qualifications
The rates of absence in schools are really down to one thing: the Government's inability to control spiralling case numbers of COVID-19.
Teachers and school leaders are united in their opposition to the Government's pay freeze.
All education staff deserve a significant pay increase, not another real-terms pay cut.
The Education Policy Institute (EPI) and National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) report into impact of the pandemic on early years.
The new attendance figures show that a quarter of all pupils were absent from school last week, with over a million being absent for specific Covid-related reasons.
The continued mistreatment of education professionals brings shame on this Government.
This has to change. We will not move our school system forward without engaging in serious thought about its problems. BERA's report is an opportunity to do that.
The NEU welcomes the news that there will be a mass vaccination programme against the flu including of children.
EPI report: high quality CPD for teachers is both needed and cost-effective.
National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) report on an increase in pupils with mental health issues.
Shockingly cynical move has ridden roughshod over the Government's manifesto commitment and left the UK’s international credibility in tatters.
The number of pupils absent for COVID-19 related reasons is now the highest at any point in the pandemic.
The NEU is committed to working with The Hamilton Commission to support and empower young Black people through education, and to widen opportunities.
The Government does not appear to be learning from its u-turns on free school meals and is ignoring the strong public support for meals in the holidays for these children.
This consultation is unlikely to provide definitive answers ahead of the new term starting in September. At best it will be a partial picture of arrangements.
Rising infection rates increase the disruption to education, but DfE still fail to act.
DfE consultation on school funding simply completes the redistribution of school funding from poorer areas to better-off areas.
NEU writes to Gavin Williamson about removal of safety measures in schools
Implementation of the new curriculum will not be mandatory for secondary schools in Wales until September 2023
We can all hope for the best, but we must now plan for something that is less than the best.
This is neglectful and reckless decision-making, when schools and colleges quite obviously need the backing of Government to ensure their workplace remains safe. This is not a Government which oversees, but one which overlooks.
The NEU urges the Government to halt the ITT market review, take a pause for breath, and then really engage all stakeholders in a discussion about what the issues and solutions in ITT provision are.
NEU Cymru, Unite, and GMB have today launched a mental health and wellbeing survey which is open to anyone who works within the education sector in Wales.
Three education unions have written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson expressing our anger and dismay at the way in which the government is treating school and college leaders.
Schools cannot thrive without proper financial support and without a proper assessment of costs. Yet again, the Department for Education have been found out on school funding.
These reports show, once again, how much we need a long-term, properly thought-through and resourced plan for education recovery.
Labour Party calls for clarity over free school meal provision during the summer holidays.
We need a holistic approach to education recovery over the coming year because of the strong relationship between mental health and learning.
The continued sharp rise in Covid-related pupil absences risks leaving plans for the end of the school year in tatters.
The DfE "possible arrangements for testing in September" scarcely qualify as a plan at all.
The consultation on behaviour management in schools should focus on wellbeing not phones.
While there have been many unsung heroes during this pandemic, Thank A Teacher Day gives us all an opportunity to recognise the work that has gone on in schools and colleges up and down the country.
The new attendance figures are very worrying. In secondary schools the rate of absence for Covid-related reasons has tripled in just one week, while in primary schools the rate has doubled in a week.
The pandemic has meant that schools have not been focusing on moving towards to the new Curriculum 2022.
Welsh Government needs to put a Plan B in place and make funds available now, so education settings can start planning for next year.
It is important to understand that social class is the biggest determinant of educational success or failure. Too many children and young people are disengaged from the curriculum.
Government must act urgently to implement the recommendations of the National Food Strategy. No child should come to school too hungry to learn.
The school workforce data must be seen in the context of the severe recruitment and retention problems that have developed over the past decade.
Education Secretary confirms phonic checks to resume in Autumn term
The NEU supports proposals to help young people access apprenticeship programmes but this report lays bare the disproportionate impact those reforms are having on younger apprentices.
It is shameful that the Government continues to let down the Early Years sector. The Government’s current policies and lack of action are clearly a threat to the sector and the life chances of the children they educate.
We are disappointed to read that Jeremy Miles is minded to accept the recommendation of a pay award for teachers across the board of only 1.75% with effect from 1 September 2021.
UK announces £430m aid to Global Partnership for Education
Sexual harassment is still trivialised and normalised throughout society, and we urgently need to boost the focus around both preventing and responding to the sexual harassment.
Government must reintroduce face coverings to minimise Covid disruption in schools, say education unions
In order to keep face-to-face learning on a sustainable footing, Government must take the rising secondary school case numbers seriously.
Sir Kevan Collins, Education Recovery Commissioner Resignation.
The Government’s plans for education recovery for the nation’s pupils are inadequate and incomplete.
Labour is right to recognise that children need to recover through play and through greatly improved mental-health support.
As workload rockets for grading season, 10,000 educators write to Gavin Williamson demanding he provides compensation
Labour Party figures show over half a million children have become reliant on free school meals during the pandemic.
We call on the Government to release school attendance figures for the local authorities to be released before the middle of June.
The EPI report rightly highlights the severe teacher recruitment and retention problems, and the significant gaps between teacher pay and the pay of other graduate professions.
The report confirms what early years educators have repeatedly told Government: recovery from the pandemic must be concerned with building back the social element in children's lives.
This report from the IFS exposes another example of the gap between Government rhetoric about investing in education recovery and the reality.
Today is an important day which draws attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBT+ people around the world and here at home.
The EPI report highlights the scale of the disruption caused by the pandemic and the necessary funding needed to repair the damage.
The Government must invest properly in education rather than attempt to cover up a general lack of new money.
The Government have ignored SAGE’s advice to keep face masks in the classroom.
NEU meets with scientists running the trial on the use of lateral flow test (LFTs) as an alternative to isolation.
Scientists: More than 153,000 children and school staff with Long COVID means masks still needed to keep millions safe.
School budgets have been hit hard by coronavirus and the inadequate reimbursement from Government. Gavin Williamson must come clean as to how much schools have lost as a result of his moving the goalpost.
The fragmented academy system has serious structural problems and contradictions which are entirely the fault of this Government. What we need is greater coherence and investment in the democratic structures and support that bind schools to one another and to their communities.
The NEU agrees that a boost to the amount of high quality CPD teachers receive would be extremely welcome by the profession and a good step in improving retention.
The National Education Union and Runnymede Trust have endorsed classroom resources produced by the Stephen Hawking Foundation to tackle vaccine hesitancy and encourage critical thinking.
NEU Cymru calls on the next Welsh Government to fully fund the new Curriculum and ALN reform.
The Government's plans for slashing overseas aid are indefensible. A direct line can and will be drawn between these cuts and irreversible damage to children's fundamental right to education, safety, and dignity.
We agree with the report’s conclusions that overcoming the pandemic is possible and that it should serve as a catalyst for sustained improvements in education.
If the Government is to achieve its agenda of levelling up and the promise of better jobs, it must restore funding and pay in the sector.
The Teachers’ Pension Scheme is a fundamental part of a teacher’s remuneration.
Government must properly fund all schools and conduct an urgent review of high-needs funding.
The NEU is determined that the early years sector will not be the poor relation of the education system.
The sweeping sanctions and economic blockade imposed on Venezuela are blunt instruments that have led to ordinary people suffering inhumanely.
Sexism has real negative consequences for girls and for female staff, who disproportionately experience sexual violence and harassment. If we want different outcomes for girls, we need to start doing things differently.
It is urgent that all Black students can access a positive, engaging and representative curriculum.
The Government should recognise the power of education in the fight against climate change and ensure that the school curriculum addresses the climate emergency, the effects of climate change and what we can do to mitigate it.
We can't work towards equality in society or tackle discrimination in workplaces unless we talk positively about LGBT+ people across the curriculum.
This year’s Fred & Anne Jarvis Award has been given to Marcus Rashford MBE for his work in fighting food poverty.
We believe that this Bill attempts to solve a problem that does not exist, diverting the police into partisan ‘culture wars’, and restricting an inherent aspect of a free society – the right to protest.
Analysis after analysis and survey upon survey continue to demonstrate that teacher workload remains unsustainable and is the main driver for leaving the profession.
The Covid crisis has demonstrated even more reasons to change the way that we organise the provision of supply staff in schools.
We've got to assert that homophobic and transphobic discrimination doesn't go unnoticed or unchallenged.
The last ten years has seen a dramatic rise in child poverty across the UK – and without drastic, immediate action from Government the numbers will increase.
Ofsted is not an agent of change. It is a blunt instrument – a wholly negative presence in schools, never offering constructive advice.
Today, the Union has set out the measures government should take to learn from the failures of the past and to open up our narrow, test-driven and restrictive education system so that it benefits all learners, from the early years to adulthood.
The pandemic has exposed the flaws that exist when awarding GCSE and A-Level grades even in a normal year.
Sexism and sexist biases including pregnancy and maternity discrimination mean that women in the education sector are losing out in status and pay.
In place of micro-management, teachers need space to make a curriculum that is broad and balanced, offering opportunities for creativity, exploration and for meaningful, collaborative learning.
The Government's ideologically-driven pay freeze is both unjustified and unfair.
The problem of high workload predates the pandemic and will, unfortunately, survive it.
In advance of the National Education Union’s annual conference, held online this week, more than 10,000 teachers, leaders and support staff from across the UK and in all school and college settings have made clear their views on the State of Education and the conditions under which they work.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, racism and the value of Black lives has been the subject of persistent and painful news stories, and the Covid pandemic has laid bare the extent of racial inequalities in all areas of social policy.
There remains a job of work to do within the education sector about making sure employers make reasonable adjustments to retain and value their staff who are disabled.
Survey of members on how best to steer a course for education out of Covid.
The NEU welcomes the fact that the Government has accepted the scientific consensus that the wearing of face coverings by staff and students in classrooms forms a key part of a comprehensive strategy of measures to suppress transmission of Covid-19 in schools and colleges.
“This year of all years is a terrible time to introduce a statutory requirement to introduce a baseline test which is designed not to give information to either teachers or parents.
Many schools themselves are already showing the lead on this and decolonising their curriculum, but today’s report misses the point that schools are doing this in the absence of support and despite the Government.
There is welcome clarity in today’s advice that schools can adopt the plans which best suit their situation.
School leaders and teachers now need assurances from the Secretary of State that no new requirements will be made of them.
99% of NEU Cymru members say more funding for education would help young people learn
The NFER is right to note that any improvement in teacher supply due to the pandemic will be short-lived.
During the pandemic, our supply members have been extremely disappointed by the behaviour of some of the supply agencies, who have refused to Furlough supply staff.
It is an impact of the systemic cuts to SEND funding that local authorities in the most disadvantaged areas are found in the report to have been forced to ration support for the children with greatest need.
The NEU broadly welcomes the NAO report on public service pensions, which largely endorses the NEU’s arguments down the years.
The UCL analysis also highlights cases of schools where stress caused by accountability is higher than in others.
It is understandable that the Government would not have an off-the-shelf plan for schools having to operate under an extended lockdown, as was the case from March 2020, but it continued to dither and delay over many months.
Covid-19 safeguards are necessary but vigil policing was inappropriately handled and disturbing.
The Labour Party is right to highlight this important issue. The proportion of pupils in outsized secondary classes is at its highest point in the last 40 years with 1 million children being taught in classes of more than 30.
Labour launches Bright Future Taskforce
We all hope that this is the last lockdown. But the Government has not done enough to ensure this properly.
The Government has said schools are a “national priority”, yet this Budget has provided schools with no new resources to manage coronavirus.
Ahead of the Chancellor's Budget statement this week, over 750 local councillors have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling for more support so that no child is left behind.
Government acted too late. Had there been steps taken at the start of the academic year to prepare for the eventuality that exams may not be able to happen, this could have been more easily resolved.
The NEU and the Sutton Trust have recommended to Government that £750 million is needed as the first immediate boost to Pupil Premium. Instead, £302 million has been announced.
Boris Johnson has pressed ahead with this gamble on the wider opening of schools and colleges in one swoop and ignored the advice for a phased return.
Today’s announcement that all pupils will return to English schools and colleges on 8 March demonstrates, again, that Boris Johnson has, despite all his words of caution, failed to learn the lessons of his previous mistakes
Nine education organisations have joined together to issue a statement on the wider opening of schools and colleges in England.
Early years, schools and college staff must be prioritised for Phase 2 vaccinations, union and education leaders warn following reports of government row-back
No educational programme will be successful unless it is linked to measures on a massive scale to deal with poverty.
Organisations representing the overwhelming majority of teachers and school leaders in England have united in opposing the Government’s pay freeze.
Education organisations set out principles for fair assessment this summer
PAC report into EdenRed delivery of Free School Meal vouchers
The NEU deplores the Government’s decision to pass the cost of fixing its own unlawful age discrimination on to public sector workers.
NEU is pleased that Ofsted has shown sense and further delayed its on-site inspections.
We must be mindful that everyone will be apprehensive about a potential rise in the virus levels if we open up too quickly, so a phased approach is welcome, as a safe return is essential.
Today the NEU launches a new Education Recovery Plan
We all want schools to open, but like the Prime Minister we want them to open when it is safe to do so. This has to be done sustainably and safely.
The National Education Union and the Daily Mirror launch Help a Child to Learn appeal with £1m for schools.
In a survey of more than 2,500 National Education Union members, we asked staff working in schools in England and Wales to detail the impact of the pandemic on their disadvantaged students.
The clarification to the census guidance is a limited and confusing response to a worsening crisis. Its offer of top-up funding does not guarantee the necessary level of financial support.
This survey is of great concern. It confirms the worries of the NEU and many others that this lockdown has not been strict enough.
It is good that we now have an assurance from Gavin Williamson that school staff will be given two weeks' notice before reopening.
We are always concerned that exams do not fully reflect the potential of young people in the system, and are especially pleased that there are no plans to use an unfair algorithm this year.
We agree with the Sutton Trust that disadvantaged pupils are going to require significant extra investment because of deepening levels of deprivation.
NEU Launch Remote Education Hub
We are relieved that the Government now accepts that it was wrong to introduce testing in this way
Department for Education releases data on the impact of coronavirus on the school workforce.
The number of pupils eligible to go to school and colleges is higher than in the previous lockdown but even given the increase in student numbers staff attendance rates could be much lower.
More than 1 in 4 children across the UK are growing up trapped in poverty, but we are still having the same conversations about whether MPs will do the right thing to tackle the scourge of child poverty in 2021.
Consultation is always welcome but this is too late in the day.
We have always supported the idea of mass testing in schools as a means to facilitate safe on-site learning, but this has to be consistent with scientific understanding.
Government won't fund FSM over February half term.
Gavin Williamson on school staff being a “top priority” in next phase of vaccine rollout
The Government can't claim to protect disadvantaged students while they routinely let them down
The National Education Union and UNISON have highlighted a series of funding and safety issues ministers must address to ensure community safety around the care and education of young children.
Keir Starmer is right to call out the Government on key worker pay. A pay freeze is no way to reward education staff for the immense contribution they have made to the country's response to the pandemic.
The NEU and UNISON have written to Gavin Williamson about the effect a significant extension to the number of pupils allowed back into school will have on Coronavirus transmission rates.
The Government can't seem to decide whether schools are safe or unsafe. Let this data end their confusion.
NEU Cymru welcomes extra money for disadvantaged learners
Organisations join forces to call for more support for families on universal credit
NEU Cymru welcomes proposed closure of schools and colleges until February
Teachers and parents will be relieved that Gavin Williamson has faced up to reality and cancelled this year's SATs tests.
Education staff will need further information soon about the training proposed by Gavin Williamson to assist with ensuring consistency and fairness of grades nationally.
No one wanted schools and colleges to be shut again but the evidence clearly pointed to the necessity for this to happen weeks ago.
NEU Cymru welcomes move to on-line learning
Full National Education Union Statement, 3rd January 2020
NEU Cymru comments on the return to education
We are informing our members of their legal right to protection to be guided by the science. In order for viral levels in children and in the community to decrease to below R1 primary schools should not open in the first weeks of January.
Today, the National Education Union has taken the difficult decision to advise its members in primary and special needs schools, and early years settings, that it is unsafe to return to work on Monday.
Another last minute U-turn as Government announces all London primaries are to stay closed until 18 January at least.
SAGE told ministers that they needed to close schools to contain coronavirus, before Christmas.
NEU responds to the Government’s announcement on the return to school in January
NEU presses Government to release advice from Chief Medical Officer and reiterates position that schools and colleges should start the New Year with a period of online learning
The Government claims to want to build back better but that will not be possible if schools are bankrupted by coronavirus.
NEU calls for new measures to ensure safe return of schools and colleges in January
Latest COVID infection survey shows huge surge amongst school and college students
NEU has today written to Gavin Williamson about his “inoperable” mass testing plan for secondary schools and colleges beginning in January.
NEU call that education staff should be vaccinated
Today’s announcement by Government, made on the last day of term, demonstrates ministerial panic rather than rational and responsible action.
Three education unions condemn Gavin Williamson for restricting the STRB
These attendance figures that have been hidden from the public for so long show just what a profound impact coronavirus has had on schooling in many areas.
This announcement gives almost zero notice for unions to assess the plans, or for schools to implement them. The Government’s suggestion that the preparation for the roll-out of testing should happen this week is ridiculous.
This Government really has taken a step too far. They should hang their heads in shame. Parents, students and school staff will not forgive this wilful neglect of their safety.
NEU Cymru secondary members will be heartened to hear secondary schools are moving to a distance learning model in the last week of term. Our members in primary schools will still be concerned.
NEU comment on call by Sadiq Khan to close schools this week and move to online learning.
The latest ONS Coronavirus survey figures should be very worrying to the Government - especially in the run up to Christmas. They show that cases are again rising in secondary and primary schools.
Rolling out testing in these two areas is a start, but the Prime Minister needs to urgently address those other parts of the country where infection rates remain high.
NEU Cymru welcome that Estyn’s Annual Report provides acknowledgement of what a challenging year this has been for everyone in education in Wales.
The latest figures from the last week of national lockdown are deeply depressing. One in five secondary pupils and one in ten primary pupils were absent last week
NEU Cymru are today are launching an interactive Covid Map for schools in Wales.
The NFER report has confirmed what the education world already knew. Schools are struggling to cope with the extra costs of Covid-19.
Trade unions representing staff in English further education colleges have today (Thursday) slammed the decision by the Association of Colleges (AoC) to offer a 1% pay increase and demanded to know what additional Government funding had been spent on.
General increase is welcome but subject shortages and retention are a challenge.
Teachers require an assurance that the results of key stage 2 tests in 2021, which cannot possibly be a measure of the quality of a school, will not be used as a measure of accountability.
We are deeply concerned by the results of the REACT-1 coronavirus survey which show that over the lockdown coronavirus has continued to increase amongst school age children
The only way to improve school attendance is for the Government to act to bring down coronavirus infection rates in schools.
NEU demand that clinically extremely vulnerable staff should work from home after lockdown.
This is a welcome intervention by Independent SAGE, which once again exposes the enormous blind-spot that Government has towards schools.
258 million children were out of school before the Covid pandemic and millions more now stand to never return.
Pay freeze is a body blow to education workers
Evidence from report shows teachers are still working amongst the longest hours in Europe.
School attendance continues to fall in the face of the pandemic.
More Than a Score research on Phonics
We can see now that the virus is spreading in schools. We have more and more information all the time, and our priority must be keeping both learners and staff as safe as possible.
NEU survey of independent school staff finds support for measures to minimise Covid risk but more needs to be done.
As rates rise lockdown seems to have done nothing to slow the increase in infection amongst school age pupils
The Government will argue this is about holding down public sector pay because private sector pay has gone down, but it makes no sense economically.
NEU launches research on 'a sense of belonging' and its role in positive learning and behaviour
Government proposal to use real rather than predicted A level grades for higher education places.
The Office for National Statistics' latest infection survey shows that secondary-age pupils now have the highest rate of infection of any age group and, whilst it has fallen a little as a result of the half-term holiday, it is likely to carry on increasing.
Attendance data from England and Wales confirm the significant role that schools play in virus transmission
The National Education Union has urged the Minister of Education to “let go” of GCSEs as a means of coping with the pandemic and as a way of de-stressing schools from relentless and obsessive testing, tracking, monitoring and assessment.
Chief Inspector recognises the work of school leaders in the face of the pandemic but needs to go further to best stand up for schools.
Drop in rate over half term shows role of schools in transmission.
NEU to speak at Petitions Committee hearing on Black history and the curriculum
Much of this Government guidance is welcome but more needs to be done to make schools and colleges safe.
DfE has opted for a cut price tuition scheme on the cheap.
As schools and colleges reopen after half term, health and safety remains the top priority.
NEU hands in petition calling for Government action to ensure fairness in 2021 exams
150,000+ teachers and support staff back the NEU, as we call for Parliament lockdown bill to include schools and colleges
NEU calls for schools and colleges to be closed during 4 week national lockdown
The Government's current approach to exams in England is increasingly untenable.
With high numbers of pupils and staff having to isolate as a result of Covid cases in their school, Govt decisions are doubling the difficulties faced by disadvantaged children and young people.
The National Education Union is asking people to support and sign an open letter to the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, calling upon him to eradicate holiday hunger by providing Free School Meals (FSM) to all children who need them over the school holidays.
The latest figures on school absence add to an ever-more compelling argument that Government needs to be vastly more assertive in its efforts to futureproof schools against the effects of Covid outbreaks.
Boris Johnson continues to refuse to commit to Free School Meals in school holidays.
NEU asks Gavin Williamson to explore potential of secondary schools moving to a rota system
Opposition Motion on Free School Meal provision over school holidays
Latest attendance figures show that the Government urgently needs to look at ways of reducing transmission in schools.
National Education Union is calling for an urgent circuit breaker to suppress Covid cases
NEU supports Labour ultimatum to Government on free school meals
NEU writes to Prime Minister and Chancellor with proposals to tackle child poverty.
We welcome the NAHT stand. Teachers and headteachers are now united in their call for cancellation: the Government should listen. Statutory assessment in 2020/1 serves no useful purpose.
The NEU supports the call that all children should have access to on-site mental health support, including on-site counsellors and interventions to support parental support programmes.
UCL research into impact of COVID-19 on primary schools
EPI report shows disadvantaged children hardest hit by UKs education response to COVID-19
Schools should instead receive tuition money direct and target extra support as they see fit.
Government action needed to reduce infection rates and provide quick testing for pupils and teachers.
Covid has exposed the fault lines in our current system of assessment and accountability.
The legacy of the Covid-19 crisis must be that conditions in schools and colleges become better not worse for all of our colleagues.
Everything that can be done must be done to ensure that schools and colleges remain open wherever possible.
NEU survey shows a complete lack of trust in Government to keep schools open and safe through Covid
Government support for distance learning for children self-isolating is necessary but not sufficient.
NEU Statement on certain clauses in the new Relationships, Sex and Health Education guidance (1st October)
Today, as part of the next stage of the National Education Union’s campaign to keep our schools and communities safe, we are launching a new website.
The Government’s inability to provide what schools need to ensure they remain open for as long as possible is unacceptable and will affect not only children's education, but the wellbeing of staff and students.
Major reinvestment is needed to reverse the 50% cuts to adult learning and cuts to college funding, pay and learner entitlements.
This report makes for interesting reading. With almost one million children in classes of 31+ even before Covid struck, we know that we need smaller classes and more teachers if we are to avoid huge disruption to pupils' learning because of isolation.
The Children’s Commissioner’s report highlights the multiple ways the pandemic has impacted on young people’s lives. Government plans for education must include ensuring that no child is left behind because of poverty.
This report by the EPI is further evidence of the deep financial and structural impact the Coronavirus continues to have on the Early Years sector as a whole.
Government must do better on testing and convince parents that schools are Covid-secure to improve attendance.
NEU welcomes Keir Starmer's call for urgent efforts to close the education gap. To do this we need to end the debilitating poverty that so many families endure.
NEU tells Government that support for wider opening of schools should not be taken for granted, and demands urgent action on testing
The impact of Covid-19 on initial teacher training
IFS reports largest cuts to England's schools funding in 40 years
Education Support survey on Covid pressures on schools
Government pay proposals for teachers and school leaders in England are “divisive and inadequate”, says joint union statement
NEU JGSs write to Government to underline urgent safety measures that must be in place to ensure education continues for all pupils.
OECD’s annual Education-at-a-Glance report highlights the strain on resources in our schools and colleges.
NEU Cymru notes face coverings announcement in schools and colleges.
Education unions make joint call for inquiry into grading fiasco
It is brazen of the Prime Minister to idly shrug away a disaster that his own Government created.
Government revises its guidance on the wearing of face coverings in schools.
Resignation of Sally Collier, Chief Regulator of Ofqual
If the Government is serious about ensuring all pupils receive access to a good quality, equitable education they must put their money where their mouth is and put measures in place to lift pupils out of the grip of poverty and disadvantage.
Extension of supplementary funding for Maintained Nursery Schools (MNS) through to summer 2021
Report by PHE England and the Chief Medical Officer's comments on the full return of schools and colleges in September
NEU petition calling for action on fixing exams system reaches 25,000 signatures in its first 24 hours.
Schools and colleges stepped up in challenging circumstances when exams were cancelled. They have worked tirelessly and professionally to submit grades for their students, based on all the evidence available to them.
We commend the students and staff who have supported them this year. They have shown great patience throughout the challenges of lockdown and last week's shambolic uncertainty.
The Joint General Secretaries of the National Education Union have written to Gavin Williamson the Education Secretary, setting out why the disastrous handling of this year’s exam results must never happen again.
NEU Cymru hugely welcomes this decision from the Education Minister.
NEU Cymru wishes many congratulations to those who have secured expected grades and we trust that the adjustment and appeals processes will be robust enough to deal with all anomalies that may have arisen.
The politics of results season 2020 has drowned out the most important point - that students must be congratulated for their hard work and patience through a difficult time for the whole nation.
NEU Cymru comment on Education Minister's announcement on last minute changes to A level grades
NEU Cymru are extremely pleased to see that Welsh Government will be using extra money to support local authorities and local bus operators, including extra money for school and college transport.
This EPI report hows that the Government is increasing that gap, not closing it, through the way it is distributing its 2020 funding increase, with bigger increases going to those schools with fewer disadvantaged students.
Today's confirmation of business as normal for the content of most subjects next year makes insufficient allowance for the disruption this year and allows no contingency for any further disruption as a result of local or regional lockdowns.
The NEU has raised concerns with Government in relation to the wearing of face coverings in schools, and its lack of consistency with guidance on other public places.
NEU is calling on Government to follow the example of Scotland by centrally employing newly qualified teachers from this September, so that the needs of schools are met and talent is not wasted.
NEU Cymru's evidence to the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB) asked for a 7% pay award for all teachers, and sadly this does not fully do that. We will continue to argue for this.
NEU Cymru welcomes the Education Minister’s commitment in providing much needed additional funding for universities, colleges and students in response to the economic impact of the coronavirus.
Results from this year's extraordinary exams process are broadly comparable to previous years’ results, and the majority of students will not be disadvantaged by this year's process.
The NEU asked for a 7% pay rise for all teachers. This increase does not achieve this entirely reasonable ambition.
School funding announced for 2021 doesn't even reach 2010 levels.
NEU welcomes Government announcement of additional school funding. But it is important to be clear that this funding does not even replace the budget cuts made since this Government.
This funding is crucial to help reverse the impact of the coronavirus on education in those areas.
The NEU agrees with the Committee that this rushed decision to merger, taken under cover of the Covid-19 pandemic, is likely to have dire consequences.
Survey shows parents are placing far greater trust in school leaders than Government.
National Foundation for Educational Research analysis looks at the differences in the cost of learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Education Committee report on calculated grades
Victory on survivors’ pensions rights in Teachers' Pension Scheme
NEU Cymru have commented on Education Minister’s statement regarding full opening of schools in September.
This week marks the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide in which over 8,000 Muslim men and boys were murdered.
Ambitious proposals to regenerate the further education sector are welcome. The devil of course will be in the detail and we will need to see what is in the White Paper in September.
NEU Cymru welcomes an increase to the workforce. We believe that supply staff and those new to the profession will welcome the opportunity to provide extra support for those pupils who need it at this challenging time.
Our members have always welcomed the principles behind the new Curriculum. It is an opportunity for Wales to ensure that children have an opportunity to learn a curriculum with wellbeing at its heart.
NEU Cymru welcomes suspension of the categorisation system. It is important that safety is a focus ahead of September.
Lords' report on food poverty and insecurity.
School leaders need clear guidance based on scientific evidence, but instead they are confronted by a Government which is rushing through ideas that seem more based on hope than on science.
The Sutton Trust briefing on Early Years is further confirmation of what the NEU has been warning for quite some time – maintained nursery schools (MNS) and the Early Years sector are in financial crisis.
Advice from the Department of Education, Northern Ireland guidance on School Restart Programme, including responses to the questions asked by NEU members at the recent Zoom meeting.
Education experts call for Downing Street to prioritise Maintained Nursery School funding.
NEU Cymru have written to the Minister for Education, Welsh Government calling for local authorities to be funded to make a summer holiday local offer available to children and young people.
NEU's welcomes the Government’s commitment to maintaining school buildings. There are currently 3,731 school buildings in urgent need of immediate repair.
Today’s data show the proportion of pupils in class sizes of 31+ now stands at 13.4% across primary and secondary. This accounts for almost 1 million children, a shocking figure.
The National Education Union welcomes the decision not to implement reception baseline assessment in September.
Leaks of proposals for school re-opening in September are not helpful. Schools and parents need to see from Government a clearly thought-out plan outlining the scientific reasoning behind a return for all pupils.
The National Education Union is deeply concerned by the recent comments made by the Women and Equalities Minister Liz Truss which have caused unnecessary distress and anxiety for trans and non-binary workers.
A joint letter of agreement has been agreed and issued further to the announcement confirming that as a consequence of the current exceptional circumstances, the start of the academic year 20/21 will be from week commencing 17 August 2020.
The NEU is of course in favour of all children being back in school, but even with a one-metre rule that will need more teachers and more spaces.
NEU Cymru have written to the Minister for Education, Welsh Government to express deep concerns about the injustices and racial disparities that have been highlighted by the virus and by the horrific events of brutality against black people in the United States.
NEU Cymru clarifies issues surrounding wider opening of schools.
The Prime Minister's hopes are not enough. He needs a plan for more teachers, to ask teachers who have left the profession to return, and he needs to be finding extra spaces in which they can teach smaller groups.
Violations of workers’ rights are at a seven-year high, according to the newly released 2020 ITUC Global Rights Index.
£1 billion additional funding for schools: Covid-19
NEU launches call for funding for Local Government to co-ordinate 2020 Summer holiday offer for children and young people.
Fred Jarvis, CBE - trade unionist and former General Secretary of the NUT dies at the age of 95.
Government to provide free school meals for children and young people over the summer holidays.
The NFER report shows that a quarter of pupils have limited access to IT at home. Gavin Williamson confirmed in the Commons last week that only around half of requests for the Government’s free laptop scheme for disadvantaged students have so far been met.
Department for Education to encourage head teachers to invite back more primary pupils before summer
NEU has today written to the Prime Minister with 5 recommendations for urgent action to tackle racism.
The Government is seriously out of touch if it can't see that many families will need support with food.
The National Education is proud to host an exclusive Black Lives Matter solidarity webinar, with guests including the Reverend Jesse Jackson Snr, and Diane Abbott MP, on Monday 15 June at 3pm.
The National Education Union has today written to the Prime Minister outlining its proposals for a National Education Recovery Plan.
Urgent action is needed to address widespread stereotyping, discrimination and the fear and violence caused by racism.
NEU Cymru welcomes Welsh Government guidance on schools' wider opening.
This report vindicates the NEU’s longstanding concerns about UTCs. Significant resources have been ploughed into the programme despite serious flaws in the model and its poor record.
The figures released show what a very long way the Government has to go to convince the nation’s parents and teachers that a wider opening of schools is safe.
The government’s social distancing rules made it impossible for primary schools to admit all pupils before the summer holidays. Primary schools and secondary schools will not re-open to all pupils until September at the earliest.
It is deeply alarming that in an already parlous situation, this report forecasts that an enormous number of children will be thrown into poverty by Christmas.
The Minister’s statement in which she has opened schools to all year groups with effect from 29 June does not sit well with NEU Cymru. It is too much, too soon.
Respondents to a survey conducted by the National Education Union between 31 May and 1 June, reveals the pragmatism of schools when asked to open more widely under easing of lockdown.
The NEU calls on the Government and Public Health England to develop urgent advice on the issues of greater health risk identified in the Fenton Review.
The NEU sends its solidarity to the family and friends mourning George Floyd. We condemn the systemic racism that caused George's death and we support the urgent demands for justice for George Floyd, for his family and his community.
NEU calls on Government to step back from the brink and stop wider 1 June school reopening
Serious questions about safety remain unanswered.
We are not saying only go back when it is 100% safe. But meet your own tests, produce evidence, and return when the time is right.
This latest report casts yet more doubt and concern over the Prime Minister’s decision to press ahead with a 1 June wider opening for schools.
A snapshot survey of 4,016 members of the National Education Union, reveals continued problems with health and safety even before wider opening.
Prime Minister's COVID briefing confirming wider re-opening of schools June 1st
Today, two months since lockdown was introduced, the Government has finally granted access to some of the scientific modelling behind its proposal for schools to open more widely from June 1.
Independent SAGE set two crucial conditions for the safe wider opening of schools: low levels of Coronavirus in the community, and a robust track and trace system.
Prime Minister responds to concerns on track and trace operation before the wider opening of schools during PMQs.
IFS survey: Educational gaps during lockdown
Gavin Williams COVID briefing - re wider opening of schools update
NEU Cymru welcomes no date set for opening schools in Wales. Like everyone, we want learners to be back in their classrooms. But not until it is safe to do so.
We are pleased that Sir Patrick Vallance, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government on Covid-19 has told the NEU that information and papers from SAGE would be published and that they will prioritise its release.
It's really important that we are absolutely clear what the level of safety is and if it remains the case that we believe it to be unsafe, we will not back the wider opening of schools.
1,173 local authority councillors from across England have signed the NEU Councillors letter to Gavin Williamson.
LGA need to give Councils power to close schools and nurseries when clusters of Covid-19 cases emerge.
Unions with members in the education sector are today (Wednesday) publishing a joint statement on the safe reopening of schools.
Trade unions set out five tests Government and colleges must meet before staff and students can return.
Poll of over 1,000 parents, commissioned for NEU, shows support for lockdown measures since March.
The NEU is advising our school leader members today that we are in no position to start planning for wider opening yet.
49k NEU members in one hour respond to survey giving a resounding NO to Prime Ministers roadmap for school reopening.
Prime Minister’s announcement on return of schools is nothing short of reckless.
NEU report: Coronavirus, Pupils and Schools: Unanswered Questions
NEU Cymru welcomes the announcement that schools will NOT open more widely on 1 June.
These studies raise real concerns about the impact that a wider re-opening of schools would have on the rate of Covid 19 transmission and its incidence in families.
On the eve of Sage meeting at which lockdown measures will be reviewed, NEU petition demanding schools re-open only when safe to do so nears 350,000 signatures.
NEU and Parentkind sign a joint letter to the Education Secretary to express concerns about the re-opening of schools.
As schools re-integrate more students back on site over the next months the focus needs to be on healthy transitions which support engagement with learning and not on catching up to some government-mandated trajectory.
As the Public Accounts Committee report makes clear, the Government approach on support has let SEND children down. Covid-19 means we have to put children's learning needs and interests at the heart of the offer in the classroom.
NEU snapshot survey of over 2,000 school staff shows significant concerns about effectiveness of present social-distancing measures in schools.
The General Secretaries of 10 teacher trade unions across the UK and Ireland have written to the Education Ministers in all 5 jurisdictions urging “significant caution in any consideration of reopening schools.
Research by Sutton Trust’s suggests young people believe cancellation of A-Levels will damage their chances in university applications.
NEU has launched 5 tests for Government before schools can re-open. We believe that these test must be capable of being passed in order to create the necessary confidence amongst parents and staff.
NEU members win case against accusations of Key Stage 1 and 2 grade inflation by the Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust.
We were relieved to hear confirmation from the Education Secretary that schools and colleges will not be returning during the summer holidays. Lockdown is not a holiday.
For our members, parents and learners themselves, staying safe at this difficult time is critical. We look forward to hearing more details from the Welsh Government in the coming weeks.
NEU Cymru has welcomed the announcement by the Education Minister, setting out the conditions under which schools in Wales will reopen. The union agrees that the safety of staff and students alike is paramount.
NEU joint general secretaries have written to the education secretary Gavin Williamson about issues affecting supply staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.
We welcome the data the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) has collated to enable good local responses to supporting vulnerable children.
The NEU welcomes Ofqual’s announcement today on the regulatory arrangements for awarding this summer’s Vocational and Technical Qualifications (VTQs).
NEU welcomes Government's announcement that practical steps will be taken to test school staff for Covid-19. It is essential that staff who are self-isolating at home get immediate access to the test.
Today, the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council (NITC) – the body which makes up the Teachers’ Side of the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee has announced that it will be accepting the terms of the Pay and Workload Agreement presented to them on 8 April 2020.
NEU Cymru welcomes the Welsh Government’s revised guidance today. Our members will be heartened to see that the Welsh Government is thinking about those children most in need of support.
Some pupils will need much more individual support than is possible, and many will need support for their wellbeing before any meaningful learning can take place.
We're pleased the Education Minister has focused on wellbeing in launching this policy statement. Like the Minister says, the wellbeing and safety of learners and education professionals alike is centrally important at this difficult time.
Over 80,000 have signed the NEU petition to "open schools when it is safe" and the number continues to grow.
Extra £1.25 million for school counselling services will be invaluable to support the anticipated increase in need for mental health services as a result of social distancing and school shut down measures.