NASUWT COMMENTS ON EDUCATION SECRETARY’S SPEECH

Commenting on Education Secretary Justine Greening’s speech on social mobility, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, said:

“It is promising that the Secretary of State for Education acknowledges the NASUWT’s concerns about the impact of poverty and disadvantage on children’s education.

“The Government’s announcement today has the potential to make a difference, but will not be enough to address the cumulative impact of real terms’ cuts to spending on education and to the range of services vital to meeting the educational needs of children and removing barriers to learning.

“There is also strong and compelling evidence that cost of education for families has increased significantly since 2010.

“The Government must also come forward with measures that will ensure that children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced education is not dependent on parents’ ability to pay.”