Two major education unions have shared their thoughts on Andy Burnham’s proposed education reforms which would introduce technical skills to students from 14-years-old onwards
The National Education Union (NEU) and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT – Teachers Union) have both made statements related to the construction skills pathways.
The statements reflect a welcoming attitude, but highlight that other issues, including funding, will need to be addressed before the pathways can be truly effective.
“Prime minister must take action to invest in education”
Matt Wrack, general secretary of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, said: “The prime minister has identified a significant issue with the learning offer made to secondary pupils in England. It is entirely legitimate for him to look at how programmes can be reshaped to support young people’s engagement with and enjoyment of learning and create the breadth and balance that the current curriculum lacks.
“However, to date there is a dearth of detail on how these new pathways will work and how they will be integrated with the existing curriculum. It will be essential as further details of these proposals are developed that teachers and school leaders are able to help shape the structure and implementation of any plans.
“There are important changes already in train, including those to the curriculum and changes which have already been introduced to the inspection system, that have been developed without reference to the prime minister’s aspirations. The government also has plans for significant changes to the system for supporting children and young people with SEND about which teachers have expressed profound concerns. The government will need to make sure that any changes in policy in this area are manageable for schools and cohere with wider policy.
“Serious curriculum and qualification reform also requires resources and funding. Currently, schools are under significant and increasing financial pressure. They are being asked to do even more with even less. No successful and sustainable package of change is deliverable in such circumstances and the prime minister must take action to invest in education if the aims of this announcement are to become a reality.”
“About more than simply a pipeline to work”
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “Andy Burnham’s first announcement should have been that he will end austerity in education. These proposed changes to technical education are welcome, but they will hit the skids unless there is sufficient investment in schools.
“Support and investment for schools, colleges and young people must come first. The FE sector is severely underfunded and the government have not fully funded teacher pay for next year. Where will the teachers, lecturers and physical infrastructure to support these new routes come from without proper funding?
“Schools are being forced to find £460m in cuts collectively this academic year. After years of underfunding, asking schools to keep doing more with less is simply not sustainable. This is the approach that cost Keir Starmer and Bridget Phillipson the confidence of the profession. If we are serious about raising standards and giving every child the education they deserve, funding must come first.
“Broader options and flexibility for students are in principle a positive step forward, but if the government’s plans close doors for young people by narrowing their options at 14 this may place limits on their future opportunities. This will disproportionately hit the most disadvantaged. It is right to focus on improving the escalating NEET issue but education is about more than simply a pipeline to work.
“Young people with SEND are 80 per cent more likely to be NEET and any changes to the curriculum, careers guidance or work experience availability must be inclusive and accessible for all.
“We look forward to working with the new prime minister and secretary of state to help ensure the pitfalls of the past can be avoided.”
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