TAKING THE EDUCATIONAL TEMPERATURE: FIRST INTERIM REPORT FROM THE PRIMARY REVIEW

Friday 12 October 2007

Commenting on the First Interim Report, Steve Sinnott General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe’s largest teaching union said:

“The picture painted by the Primary Review is of primary teachers who are able and willing to tackle the fears of youngsters pessimistic about climate change and violence on the streets, but who are bombarded by needless and oppressive accountability measures such as tests, targets and tables.

From the evidence, it is quite obvious that a review of the Primary Curriculum and National Curriculum testing is long overdue.

All Parties should now address the question of how to enhance primary teachers’ autonomy and authority.

The message from the Primary Review’s community soundings is that primary schools are not only vital for their youngsters, but for the life and health of their surrounding communities.”