NUT comment re 200 Primary Schools to be re-opened as Academies
Commenting on Michael Gove’s plans to close 200 primary schools in England and re-open them as academies next year, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union said:
“It is with breath taking ignorance that Michael Gove believes compelling primary schools to convert to academies status will improve standards. The evidence does not support this.
“This is a totally unacceptable experiment to undertake with our primary school children. Since last September few primaries have voluntarily converted to academy status.
“These plans are being sold as the Government’s vision of state funded education but are transparently not state education as there will be no democratic accountability.
“Schools and in particular primary schools have not been clamouring to leave the local authority family of schools for the obvious reason that they value and need the additional support they receive from their local authority and neighbouring schools.
“We all want the best possible standards of teaching and learning in our schools. If Michael Gove were suggesting that all schools work together to improve education in their locality, sharing resources and best practice and using the facilities of the local authority we would gladly welcome it. Simply closing schools and replacing them with academies will not have the impact sought but will cause a great deal of confusion and distress for parents, pupils and staff.
“We have already seen the disastrous result of Government policy made in haste resulting in ill thought out proposals. They must not be given the opportunity to do it again with our primary children”.
END pr88-2011
For further details contact Caroline Cowie on 0207 380 4706 or 07879
Caroline Cowie
NUT Press Officer
Hamilton House, Mabledon Place,
London WC1H 9BD
0207 380 4706 or 07879480061
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