Amid the biggest crisis facing the nations schools in decades, Cumbria’s NAHT officials have been campaigning harder than ever and making a major contribution to debates at the 2017 National Conference in Telford.
School Funding
On Saturday 29th April, Clem Coady (Executive Member) proposed an amendment to the lead motion on school funding, seconded by Graham Frost (Branch Secretary), calling for all options to be on the table when National Executive consider the best action to take in response to the drastic £3 billion under funding of schools, as reported by the IFS and NAO, two government departments.
The previous day, an open letter to which both Clem and Graham, and several other Cumbrian headteachers were signatories, outlined NAHT dismay at the continuing denial of the funding crisis by the government.
Meeting Labour Party Leader, Jeremy Corbyn
On the Sunday, Clem also had the privilege of questioning Labour Party Leader, Jeremy Corbyn following his address to conference.
“The meeting gave me the chance to really hammer home what the situation is for Cumbria’s headteachers and what we would like to see happen,” said Mr Coady.
“It wasn’t easy for him. We really challenged him on everything. It wasn’t a meeting he was prepared for. He didn’t know what we were going to say. We were asking how he was going to deliver on some of his pledges.
“It allowed me to get across the message on funding for Cumbrian schools.
“It was a key discussion which was very much about funding and then we also discussed things like the way schools are having to pay for school nurses and other services now.
“They are services which are an NHS responsibility, as is child mental health, and we’re picking up the tab.”
Conference had hoped to hear from Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening MP, but she had withdrawn from speaking to delegates on the Saturday.
Assessment and Accountability
High-stakes accountability and over-reliance on data was another motion which received a very positive response. Graham Frost outlined the need to expose and discredit the statistical and politically-motivated manipulation of test and grade boundaries and to raise professional and public awareness of the harmful and unjust implications for both students and professionals in all phases of education.
Governance
Maggie Cole (Branch President) was accompanied to the conference by Mick Brookes (Treasurer and General Secretary prior to Russell Hobby) and Tim Glendinning (National Executive Member), all of whom made valuable contributions at the 2 minute microphones, during the conference motion debates. Mick supported a motion which called for a reduced emphasis on governance within the judgement for leadership in Ofsted and reduction in the expectations, workload and ever-increasing accountability of the volunteers who put themselves forward as governors. Mick, who is a chair of governors himself and provides support to governors and governor training in Cumbria, made the point that school leaders careers are being put on the line by “bewildered” governors.
Meeting the Chief Ofsted Inspector
Clem and Graham were among the many delegates who had the opportunity to meet informally and chat with Amanda Spielman, the recently appointed Chief Ofsted Inspector.
“It was very encouraging to listen to Amanda Spielman talking so warmly about the profession we love, and someone who clearly knows that school leaders welcome and encourage school accountability when it is conducted in a positive and constructive manner,” said Graham.
“During the conversation, I told her how I had both positive and negative experiences of inspection, one of which I described as a welcome ‘health check’ for my school, and another about which I had to complain because of the manner in which it was conducted.
“She was genuinely interested in what we had to say, and gave the impression that she is determined to make significant and welcome improvements to her organisation. We were very impressed.”
Listen to the NAHT exclusive interview with Amanda Spielman.
Russell’s Farewell Conference Speech
It was an emotional farewell speech from Russell who stands down after seven years leading the NAHT. As usual, Russell’s speech struck the perfect balance, making us laugh, making us cheer, and making us proud of our great profession, but also indicating NAHT’s willingness to take action over the school funding crisis.
Russell outlined the NAHT’s many achievements, the challenges ahead and paid tribute to presidents and officials past and present, and to NAHT staff. He thanked members for their dedication and regional and branch volunteers for their service to NAHT members.
Russell, it is a privilege. You will be greatly missed.
NAHT Cumbria 