Send in your views on Ofsted

Ofsted’s decision to ‘raise the bar’ in its new Inspection Framework, introduced in September, is causing anger and fear among teachers. The NUT has received a number of reports that inspectors are using trivial issues to downgrade schools.

NUT General Secretary Christine Blower has written to both Christine Gilbert, the Chief Inspector, and Ed Balls expressing her extreme concern about this situation.

Fair Play for Children in Wales

“Wales has now enjoyed ten years of devolved government and significant positive changes have been made to education provision. However, there remain significant funding difficulties that require urgent action if Wales is to achieve its stated goal of securing world class education provision for its youngsters.

NUT –making a difference on assessment

Government moves on SATs

Last week’s statement from Ed Balls that SATs will go ahead in 2010 is clearly disappointing. However, the Government has said it will introduce “a light touch moderation process” for teacher assessment at Key Stage 2 from 2011. It will consult on the introduction of this system.

End SATs – vote ‘yes’

Not received your ballot paper?

The ballot opens on 2 November and closes at midday 30 November 2009. NUT primary members and relevant middle school members, working in maintained schools, who do not receive ballot papers by 11 November should individually contact the Union.

A message to all teachers from NUT General Secretary, Christine Blower

“I’m delighted with the huge amount of support that our campaign against SATs is gaining amongst teachers, parents and children. Well over 10,000 people have now signed the NUT and NAHT's joint petition calling on the Government to end SATs.We plan to publicise the number of signatures received in November 2009 so let’s see howmany we canmake it by October 31. Please encourage everyone you know to sign the petition online at the NUT website www.teachers.org.uk or download paper copies. Together we can end themisery of SATs andmake 2010 a great, SATs-free year for education.”

NO to Licence to practise - Support teacher professionalism

The government plans to require teachers to be re-licensed every five years from September 2010.

End SATs and give us time to teach.

“Abolish SATs – they’re utterly useless and they drive children, teachers and parents nuts”
Michael Rosen (former Children’s Laureate)

Professional status: manageable workload

The NUT has argued consistently that teachers should be afforded professional status and given the opportunity to exercise their professional judgement.

Our children, young people and adults deserve the best education service. To secure this we believe that there has to be the maximum possible professional unity amongst teachers and lecturers in the education sector and their unions.

As a result of Union pressure, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has agreed to produce a briefing note for schools on prev

Our aim: one union for all teachers

A message to teachers from NUT Acting General Secretary, Christine Blower

NUT Conference 2009 was an uplifting event for me and, I think

Get ready to ‘only rarely’ cover

From 1 September 2009 teachers will have a contractual right to ‘only rarely’ cover.

The Government’s removal of Key Stage 3 tests opens up very real possibilities for the reform of National Curriculum assessment.

Take action now on your right to a private life

We are asking members to respond to the GTC’s revised code of conduct and practice. We are concerned that the GTC is turning aspirations for best practice into rules, the breach of which may result in disciplinary action.

We have long recognised this as a key education issue.

That’s why the NUT:

• supports the End Child Poverty campaign
• calls for class size maxima
• supports access to personalised learning
• calls for funding in the state sector at the same level as in the independent sector (as promised by the Prime Minister); and
• calls for teachers to be valued as skilled professionals.