The Future of our Schools: Debating the government's reform agenda

The Future of our Schools: Debating the government's reform agenda

Over recent months the TUC and education unions have been organising an event aimed at both supporting union activists and engaging the wider public - especially parents and school governors - in the campaign against the government's school reform agenda. The event - The Future of our Schools - 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.

The TUC press release for the event highlighted that the government's policy of rushing through major changes, with little or no consultation, has left parents, teachers and governors confused and concerned about the future of the schools system. 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. Over the coming weeks a thematic report of the conference will be produced and this will support the ongoing development of the campaign on schools within the wider context of the All Together for Public Services campaign against the cuts.

PowerPoint presentations from the event are available below.

Fredrik Mandelin

Peter Mortimer

Professor Anne West