3 February 2012

Commenting on the report, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“Let us be in no doubt, high quality Early Years education is essential for the progress and development of young children.  The lasting effects on children and young people of free Early Years provision may not be easily measurable for some years. However, anecdotal evidence from teachers working in reception classes indicates clearly that children who have experienced high quality nursery provision are better prepared socially to engage in appropriate play and class activities. 

3 February 2012

Commenting on the report, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“Let us be in no doubt, high quality Early Years education is essential for the progress and development of young children.  The lasting effects on children and young people of free Early Years provision may not be easily measurable for some years. However, anecdotal evidence from teachers working in reception classes indicates clearly that children who have experienced high quality nursery provision are better prepared socially to engage in appropriate play and class activities. 

2 February 2012

Commenting on a report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health (APPG) which exposes the dangerous levels of asbestos in schools Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said

“We wholeheartedly welcome the intervention of the APPG on the issue of asbestos in schools. As the Chair of the Committee, Jim Sheridan MP, said, it is indeed a national scandal that asbestos continues to be present in our schools.

31 January 2012

NUT members in sixth form colleges have voted to take strike action in opposition to Government funding cuts and cuts in teachers' pay and conditions.

The NUT balloted members in respect of two separate disputes, involving the Secretary of State for Education as the Minister responsible for setting colleges' funding, and the sixth form college employers who are increasing class sizes and working hours and freezing teachers' pay despite commitments made during the 2010 pay agreement.

Cuts to college budgets, coming on top of the axing of the Education Maintenance Allowance and an increase in tuition fees, will be seen as yet a further attack on the expectations of young people.

31 January 2012
 
 93% of NUT members agree that the NUT is right not to sign up to the Government's proposals to cut teachers' pensions and agree that the NUT must continue to seek further improvements.
 
In a survey of over 11,000 NUT members, 90% agreed that teachers should not have to work until they are 68 for a full pension.  Teachers over 50, who are best aware of the pressures of teaching for older teachers, agree even more strongly.
 

Tuesday 31 January
 
Commenting on the implementation of the recommendations from the Wolf Report on qualifications, as set out by the Government today, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:
 
“It should not be up to the Government to decide which exams are of more merit than others. This is something which should be assessed by major stakeholders such as the teaching profession and awarding bodies.

26 January 2012

Commenting on the 2011 Schools Performance Tables published today, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers' union, said:

"League tables do not give a genuine reflection of the achievements of head teachers, teachers or pupils. What they do show is that league tables, by their very nature, will always put some schools at the top and some at the bottom.

19 January 2012

Commenting on the Department of Education’s latest announcement on the number of schools taking up the Government’s new phonics products and training, and their disappointment that the take up has not been higher, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“As with the academies programme the Government is determined that all those authorities and schools which do not see the merits of synthetic phonics will be bullied, harassed, named and shamed until they feel they have no choice but to accept the latest dictat from above.

EMBARGO 11:00AM
 
Wednesday 18 January 2012
 
Commenting on today’s announcement by Michael Gove that Barclays Bank will be supporting Academies, Free Schools, University Technical Colleges and Studio Schools, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said;
 
“Opening schools up to the market place is simply wrong. Children and young people should not be influenced at an impressionable age by whichever large company manages to gain a foothold in their school.

16 January 2012.

Commenting on Ofsted’s plans to remove the satisfactory judgement for school inspections and replace it with a ‘requires improvement’ grade, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union said:

“All teachers and school leaders want nothing but the best for their pupils and no school willingly sits on its laurels as far as pupil attainment is concerned.

EMBARGOED FOR 00:01

13 January 2012

Commenting on the changes planned for September 2012, announced by the Department for Education today, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union said:

“The changes to the appraisal and capability policies will rightly be seen by teachers as an attack on their professionalism and will anger and depress them in equal measure.

11 January 2012

Commenting on the launch of the public consultation on Michael Gove’s proposed changes to the National Curriculum for ICT, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union said:

“The NUT welcomes the opportunity to be involved in the consultation on the National Curriculum Programmes of Study and Attainments and assessment arrangements for ICT.

9 January 2012

6 January 2012
 
Following a meeting of a senior committee of the NUT Executive, the Union has agreed to call for further urgent discussions with Government on the future of teachers' pensions.
 
When the teacher unions met Department for Education ministers before Christmas, the NUT reserved its position on the Government's proposals.  The NUT, the largest teachers’ union, has now agreed to continue to pursue further changes to those proposals.
 

4 January 2012

Commenting on Education Secretary Michael Gove’s speech on academies, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:
“The Secretary of State's assertion that the opponents of the Government's forced academy programme are "happy with failure" is an insult to all the hard-working and dedicated teachers, school leaders, support staff and governors in our schools.

“If academy status brought the benefits claimed by the Government why have so few of England's schools opted to convert?