School reforms

Education secretary Ruth Kelly outlined changes in the government's plans for the education white paper in a letter to education committee chairman Barry Sheerman on Monday night. The concessions were aimed at avoiding a damaging defeat on the school reform proposals.

 

Stakeholder Response: NUT

 

 

Steve Sinnott, NUT general secretary, said: "The government appears to have listened to some of the concerns of those both in education and on its own backbenches.

 

"The overwhelming arguments have been against a free for all on school admissions and on expansion of popular schools.

 

"The government seems to have recognised the dangers inherent in its original proposals.

 

"The logical next step for the government should be to recognise the needs of local communities giving them priority to create a coherent rather than fractured education service."

 

 

Stakeholder Response: ATL

 

 

Government concessions on the Education White Paper sound like real progress has been made, according to the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL). 

 

However, Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL, cautioned:  "While we are pleased the government has listened to reason on the White Paper, the real test of whether these are genuine concessions will be in the words of the Education Bill.

 

"ATL is particularly pleased the government has accepted the need to strengthen the admissions code, and to give local authorities a strategic role for overseeing education in their local area including allowing them to continue to set up local schools."

 

 

Stakeholder Response: Professional Association of Teachers

 

 

The Professional Association of Teachers (PAT) has welcomed some of the reported concessions made by the government on the Education White Paper but criticised Ministers for not going far enough.

 

PAT general secretary Philip Parkin said: "The proposals to strengthen the roles of local authorities and the schools adjudicator and the review of admissions procedures are welcome, although they are minor tweaks rather than major changes.  

 

"These concessions do not go far enough. Many of our concerns remain.

 

"The government’s rejection of the Select Committee’s call for benchmarks of students from different socio-economic backgrounds is not very encouraging.

 

"We understand that the admissions code will not be written into primary legislation because that would be ‘unworkable’. 

 

"That does not inspire confidence in the code or how it would be work in practice.

 

"The concession over new schools is welcome but it is difficult to say what impact it will have.

 

"It all depends on how many schools choose to become Trust schools and whether they become a dominant force. 

 

"Local authorities will have to jump through a lot of bureaucratic hoops before they can open new schools. 

 

"Local authorities could be at a disadvantage in the suggested ‘competitions’ to build new schools because officers’ time would be divided between trying to provide education services and preparing bids.

 

"Businesses or other organisations would not face such problems and could well have more resources to devote to their bids. 

 

"Would there be a level playing field or would obstacles be placed in the way of local authorities because the government would still rather see other organisations running schools? 

 

"Many PAT members feel that the drive for commissioning will compromise local authorities’ abilities to recruit and train quality staff able to target resources to where they are needed, without regard to profit margins or a school’s ability to pay.

 

"We remain concerned about the powers of the proposed Trusts and their backers. 

 

"These groups will have their own agendas – be it political, religious or making a profit. PAT is worried that providing high quality education and care may not be their overwhelming priority.

 

"The initial results from Academies suggest that changing the legal and administrative nature of a school does not necessarily deliver better education. We believe all families should have access to good quality local education."

 

 

Stakeholder Response: NASUWT

 

 

Commenting on the content of secretary of state Ruth Kelly's letter, Chris Keates, general secretary of NASUWT said: "The changes announced by the secretary of state are a positive step forward but come as no surprise.

 

"It was evident before Christmas that there would be give on the proposals on admissions and on the role of local authorities.

 

"NASUWT has argued consistently for the Admissions Code to have more teeth. Requiring schools to set policies in accordance with its provisions will strengthen it considerably.

 

"Outlawing the invidious and divisive practice adopted by some schools of interviewing parents and pupils for places is a long-overdue, welcome development.

 

"It is disappointing that Admissions Forums are to remain. NASUWT has always considered them to be an unrepresentative, unnecessary tier of bureaucracy.

 

"The Secretary of State has addressed the issue of representation by giving all schools the entitlement to a place on them but it remains questionable whether such a body is necessary in addition to the role of local authorities and the Schools Adjudicator.

 

"Reinstating the option for new schools to be community schools is an important development. NASUWT always considered that their exclusion from the menu of options available ran counter to the rationale of choice offered in the White Paper.

 

"The progress this amendment represents must not be undermined by any undue restrictions placed on local authorities considering this type of school.

 

"It is clear from these developments that there is an opportunity for further discussion on the proposals.

 

"No White Paper ever translates line by line into legislation.

 

"A lot of detailed work remains to be done and some difficult issues remain to be addressed, in particular the establishment of a clear and unequivocal relationship between all schools which are state funded and the local authority.

 

"NASUWT looks forward to continuing to work with DfES Officials to address these."