NUT on Sir Michael Wilshaw’s speech – The Unseen Children: Access and Achievement

Commenting ahead of the speech by Sir Michael Wilshaw on the educational achievement of disadvantaged children, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“The social background of pupils still has the greatest impact on their educational achievement, so it is vital that children and young people who need additional support and help are given it. As Sir Michael Wilshaw points out, the London Challenge was indeed a scheme which raised standards in areas of deprivation and it is deeply regrettable that this Government ended it.

“The London and City Challenge, however, was a scheme based on the collaboration and sharing of best practice amongst schools. Sir Michael’s idea of individual teachers being catapulted into schools to help with pupils’ achievement will not have anywhere near the same impact. It really is time the Government and Ofsted stopped trying to reinvent the wheel and just work with what we know achieves results.

“It is vitally important that any barriers to children gaining the most they can out of their education are removed, particularly at a time of high youth unemployment. A relevant curriculum and an examination system are essential. Of equal importance is the restoration of the Education Maintenance Allowance and addressing the rise in university tuition fees. For many students from the most deprived backgrounds this has totally ended any chance of continuing in further education and will impact heavily on their engagement at school.”

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