Representing Cumbrian School Leaders at NAHT National Conference 2016 were: Mick Brookes (Branch Treasurer), Clem Coady, Maggie Cole (Branch President), Graham Frost (Branch Secretary), Tim Glendinning (National Executive Member) and Tanya Hughes.
At the conference, Cumbria Branch proposed that key, guiding principles of school leaders be agreed and published, then applied rigorously to all future policy announcements by the government. The wording of our motion was as follows:
The coercion and prescription permeating down through the school system in England, from DFE through to the classroom, is damaging the education of our young people, causing a recruitment crisis and contributing to mental ill-health at every level.
We call upon National Executive, to coordinate a national campaign to establish a set of key principles by which all national policy changes will be measured, with findings communicated to the general public.
In my speech to conference, I suggested the following principles be included:
- minimum requirements to ensure policies are research-informed;
- minimum requirements for meaningful consultation with practitioners and other stakeholders;
- impact on pupil health and well-being a key measurement of every policy;
- appropriate and achievable time allocation for implementing changes.
Our motion to conference received almost unanimous approval and entered NAHT policy.
The conference agenda rightly focused on the two main issues that concern us today:
– the complete fiasco over this year’s round of testing;
– outrage over the announcement of forced academisation.
On the first issue our General Secretary, Russell Hobby declared “We will not put up with this for a further year.” Read Russell’s speech.
On the second issue, Conference voted almost unanimously in favour of action, up to and including industrial action if necessary, should the DfE continue with their forced academisation plans. This is particularly important for Cumbria as small schools (60% of us) will not be allowed to be stand alone academies and once absorbed into a MAT will legally cease to exist as independent schools.
On 6th May, the announcement by the DFE stated that good and outstanding schools will not be forced, coming less than a week after our conference, is a positive step. However, the DFE still expects all schools to become academies in due course. There is still campaigning required on this issue, to prevent any schools having their future structure decided against the will of pupils, parents, governors, staff and school community.
A third issue is that of the looming ‘Fair Funding’ announcement that may have far reaching consequences for small schools if the support grant is reduced.
NAHT Cumbria Branch encourages members to take the following actions:
1. Sign the Assessment Pledge that you will find on the NAHT website (you’ll need your membership number – contact me if you need this).
2. Come to the Cumbria NAHT Conference in Penrith on Tuesday 17th May at 12.30pm.
– It is free.
– We’ll give you a buffet lunch.
– Our general Secretary: Russell Hobby will address us and give you your opportunity to help shape NAHT policy.
– Booking a place is easy – just email me.
Remember – without you we fail.
“The world is changed by those who turn up.”
Graham Frost
NAHT – Cumbria Branch Secretary
NAHT Cumbria 