Threats on coasting schools a smokescreen for continuing structural change
Commenting on the announcement by Secretary of State for Education Nicky Morgan that headteachers of so-called coasting schools will be sacked and will face the prospect of being forced to become academies, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers union in the UK said:
“We all aspire to ensure that all children and young people wherever they go to school have the highest standards of education.
“Unfortunately, this is not the real agenda behind this announcement.
“The tough talk and threats to headteachers are simply a smokescreen for the Government’s intention to continue its programme of structural change through academisation despite the fact that evidence shows that structural change of itself does not raise standards.
“What schools need is additional investment, effective local support structures and opportunities to collaborate with other schools without threats and bullying from Government ministers.
“Given the teacher supply crisis caused by the Conservative-led policies of the last government, the Secretary of State’s threats to headteachers will only exacerbate the problems and cause further demoralisation, turbulence and uncertainty. It’s clearly a case of business as usual.”
