Immediate Release 20November 2003

David Bells Fabian Society lecture on inner city schools

Commenting on David Bells concerns Doug McAvoy, GeneralSecretary of the National Union of Teachers, said:

David Bell has put his finger on the flaws in Governmentpolicy towards inner city schools.There are no quick fixes. Simplyinventing new types of school will not change underlying realities.

Schools in the toughest areas need long terminvestment. Schools need encouragementand support, not naming and shaming and constant accusations of failure.

These schools are forced to employ large numbers ofoverseas teachers resulting in high staff turnover. There is persistent mobility of pupils many of whom have Englishas an additional language. In thesecircumstances the schools need support not destructive criticism.

I urge the Government to listen and bring forward apositive and supportive policy which involves extra resources for the youngpeople and school communities that need them most.

E N D S pr92.03

For further information contact: Olive Forsythe on01502478521