The Future of Our Schools – Conference Report

The Future of Our Schools - Conference Report

The Future of our Schools conference took place at Congress House on Saturday 27 November with over 250 people in attendance. The line-up of speakers included the TUC Deputy General Secretary, the head of the school governors' body, a head teacher, a parent, an official from a Swedish teachers' union and many other prominent figures in the world of education. The education unions also led a series of workshops on a number of key issues, including: the impact on the workforce; engaging parents and communities in campaigns; the growing threat of marketisation and privatisation; the impact on support services delivered by local authorities; and, inclusive education and faith schools.

Over recent months the TUC and affiliated education unions have raised serious concerns that the coalition government's policy of rushing through major changes to the school system, with little or no consultation, has left parents, teachers and governors confused and concerned about the future of school education. The feedback from delegates at the event reinforced this message in particular as regards the policies of rapidly extending the Academy programme, establishing free schools and making huge cutbacks to the school building programme. A clear demand articulated by all those in attendance was the urgent need for the government to halt its rushed reforms and to undertake a proper national debate on the future of our schools. The conference report captures these messages and also attempts to provide a summary of the key debates that took place on the day.

Download The Future of Our Schools - Conference Report [PDF]