THE LATEST REPORTS FROM THE PRIMARY REVIEW: ¬GOVERNING, FUNDING AND REFORMING PRIMARY EDUCATION

Commenting on the latest report from the Primary Review, Steve Sinnott, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe’s largest teaching union said:

“The latest primary review reports demonstrate the damaging effects of high stakes testing, inspection and historic underfunding on primary schools.

“An absence of trust in teachers is fuelled by not one, but two ferocious accountability systems. 

“I urge the Government now to review its whole method of evaluating schools.  It is vital for teaching and young people’s learning that trust in teachers is restored.

“The Government has a chance to tackle historic underfunding of primary schools.  Falling rolls should be seen as an opportunity, not a threat.  The funding gains created by smaller pupil numbers should be fed back into primary schools and not be seen as an opportunity to cut school budgets”.