QUEEN’S SPEECH – MORE CHAOS AND CONFUSION FOR EDUCATION

Commenting on the reference in the Queen’s Speech to the Government’s plans for an Education Bill, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, said:

“While schools are still bemused by the chaotic announcements which accompanied the White Paper, the Government adds to the confusion today by rehashing and recycling previous announcements and policies already in the process of being implemented.

“Consultation on the ‘fairer funding’ system promised in the manifesto is already under way.

“The proposals on the education of excluded children have already been announced several times.

“The new role for local authorities and the plan for academisation in local authorities deemed unviable or underperforming, continues the obsessive focus on structures rather than standards, despite the recent U-turn the Government was forced to make as a result of strong opposition from within its own ranks.

“This is a pointless and redundant Bill which serves no real purpose other than to seek to detract attention from the difficulties at the heart of the Conservative Party in the run up to the EU referendum.

“The most important thing is that schools should not be panicked by today’s announcements.

“The NASUWT will respond to the Bill when it is published and be making representations to Government to protect the best interests of teachers and school leaders.”