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Press Release

Education committee report into behaviour and discipline

3 February 2011

Commenting on the report on Behaviour and Discipline Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union said;

“There can be no disputing the fact that for pupils to remain engaged in education there has to be a curriculum that matches the task and also for teachers to have the freedom in the classroom to implement it. It is also a fact that whatever curriculum is put into place has to be free from the restraint of excessive testing and league tables which simply stifle creativity and enjoyment.

“While we mustn’t forget that the majority of our classrooms are safe and pupils are well behaved the NUT agrees that it is critical for schools to have behaviour and discipline policies drawn up not only in consultation with staff, but also with children and young people and that the whole school community is actually involved in making sure that the policy is implemented, on a proper and consistent basis.

“The report quite rightly highlights that it is essential teachers have access to CPD throughout their careers to ensure they remain confident and well informed in how to deal with pupil behaviour.

“Despite identifying academies’ poor track record in exclusions and participation in school behaviour partnerships, the report fails to recommend any strategies to address these concerns.

“The Committee’s recommendation to introduce a new speaking and listening test for 6 year olds is unnecessary. These skills would be best assessed on an on-going basis by class teachers, as they are now. The real problem experienced by schools, which the Committee should have addressed, is the poor or variable access to specialist speech therapy support.

“Unlike the report we do not support the move towards school centred and employment based training. Teachers need proper in depth theoretical training, as much of this report demonstrates.

“This report is a stark reminder that cutting schools budgets and those of Local Authorities will lead to the most vulnerable children being deprived of vital services. A problem which will only be exacerbated if more schools become academies or Free Schools and coherent provision for schools is slowly, but surely dismantled."



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National Union of Teachers

National Union of Teachers

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