Press Release

THE PRIMARY REVIEW: LATEST REPORT ON PRIMARY WORKFORCE REFORM

18 April 2008

Following the latest report of the Primary Review, Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe’s largest teachers’ organisation, said:

“The evidence from the Primary Review is that ‘initiative-itis’ in primary schools has got in the way of teaching and learning, not to mention improving standards. It is clearly impossible to introduce personalised learning into primary schools and at the same time micromanage them from the centre.

‘The message from the reports is that teachers’ professional judgements must be trusted. Teachers know only too well that high standards go hand in hand with professional confidence and autonomy.

“I am concerned that children with the greatest needs are getting the least specialist attention. Teaching assistants have a vital role to play. Their work is valued by teachers but we cannot have a situation where children with special needs miss out on the benefits of personal attention from qualified teachers.