11th May 2016 1:00
By Blue Tutors
A group of primary and secondary head teachers have formed a group to put forward an alternative to the government’s academisation plan. The group known as the Head Teachers’ Round Table have raised concerns about the government’s white paper for education, and are working towards developing their own alterative paper. Whilst forced academisation is a key concern, the group has also raised concerns about the government’s paper’s lack of engagement with schools and education itself, and its focus on organisational structure and results. The group is now setting out their own vision for education policy which they will deliver at a national conference.
A spokesperson for the group said that they were alarmed that there were very few references in the government’s paper to children’s learning, with the focus being on exam results and how school authorities are organised. The group said that now more than ever there is a need for a united, credible alternative, and pointed out that they have over 25,000 followers despite the culture of fear that is growing in schools in response to government sanctions. They point out that the scale of the changes is unmanageable and not done with the best interests of students in mind. Whilst the alternative paper is still being devised, it is expected that it will call for school-led changes rather than forced academisation, and a greater emphasis on learning as opposed to uniform school structure.
The Head Teachers’ Round Table conference will be open to anyone, and the group has reached out to the schools commissioner and the chair of the education select committee. Although the group has criticised proposed reforms, they have emphasised the need for a collaborative effort between schools and government representatives. They have said that the focus should be on providing the best education possible for students, and encouraged educationalists from different school backgrounds to get involved. They are hoping to open a dialogue between teachers and government representatives moving forward, but maintained that grass-roots action was now necessary to stop destructive changes to education policy.