Celebrating ‘No SATs’ week and success in stopping the BNP

So SATs week is over. The boycott was a huge success and the sky did not fall in! In fact, very many children had a much better week than they might have done. In London, it started with an Anti-SATs picnic on the Sunday before the SATs week. Although it was not entirely picnic weather, we all had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed listening (twice!) to Alan Gibbons read his poem ‘The Sad SAT Sitter’.

You can see it on NUTv to remind yourself what a great poem it is and how right we were to take this action this year.

So, no SATs but a new government. As well as seeking a meeting alongside the NAHT on assessment, I have written to Michael Gove to seek to open up channels to talk with government on a range of issues.

The possible threats to public sector pensions will mean we need to work together with other unions as we did in 2005.

And on education spending in general, we have dusted off the old slogan: ‘Education Cuts Never Heal’ – because it is true. No government can make £6 billion of cuts to the public sector without hurting education.

We have to work to ensure that the promised pupil premium, (in both the Liberal Democrats and Conservative Party manifestos) to come from outside the schools’ budget is found but not at the expense of other vital education service functions.

The fallout from the financial crisis has left teachers across Europe concerned for their future. Through ETUCE (the European teachers’ unions) we have sent best wishes, in particular, to teachers in Greece who are taking action to protect their pay and pensions.

Along with Mick Brookes from the NAHT, I have written to Michael Gove, incoming Secretary of State, to seek a meeting on the future of assessment.

In SATs week the National Executive also discussed APP once again. Further guidance will be out soon to ensure that the end of SATs does not mean an increase in workload.

Which reminds me, when did we start to talk about workload? We certainly did not in the 70s. I think it was when we lost control of the agenda and the impositions from central government took hold. These are the areas on which our workload campaign needs to concentrate.

Finally, a really positive outcome from the national and local elections was the fact that the BNP was spectacularly defeated. They failed to win the parliamentary seats they had targeted and every last BNP councillor lost their seat in Barking and Dagenham as well as two from Stoke on Trent.

There is still much to do to ensure they do not achieve electoral success in future but, for now, hearty congratulations are due to all NUT members who participated in campaigning for hope not hate.

Christine Blower
General Secretary
14 May 2010

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