Latest news with #NAHT
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Schools in Bolton in grip of funding crisis leaving them unable to afford the basics
Schools in Bolton cannot afford minor repairs to the building and are struggling to afford basic equipment. Now teachers across Bolton are calling on the Government for help amid a 'funding crisis' which is pushing staff members 'to the brink'. Headteachers say they are struggling to fund resources, including computer equipment, and are having to rely on the goodwill of parents to help equip classrooms and fund enrichment activities. Schools cannot afford minor repairs to the building. Despite government promises of funding for schools in England of £2.3 billion in 2025/26, with a total of £8,020 per pupil, schools across the borough are struggling to afford basic equipment, repair jobs" target="_blank">work and staff retention. Headteacher of Claypool Primary School, Amanda Hulme, who is the National Association of Headteachers representative for Bolton, said: 'We are in a funding crisis, we don't have enough money to sustain staff levels, it's a nation-wide problem. 'SEND funding is in an even bigger crisis, it's coming from a government level. We know the Local Authority is doing all that it can. NAHT representative, Amanda Hulme, has described the funding crisis across schools. (Image: Amanda Hulme) 'Recruitment and retention is also an issue with schools across the borough. Teachers are leaving the job left and right. There's also a struggle for retaining learning support staff because the pay is so poor. READ MORE: 'In the case of our school, the funding isn't there for minor repairs to the building, we have to be so much more careful with resources now. We've had to turn to doing fundraising events and asking for donations from our wonderful parents in order to try to fix the gap. 'We aren't able to do nicer things with children that we were able to do before, we don't have the equipment, such as new computers, outdoor play equipment, library books. 'The fundraising committees in schools are having to look at grants for areas where government funding does not stretch. 'Kids with SEN need additional support, without a healthcare plan, it can be difficult to get these specialist provisions in place. 'Something needs to change, I would advise governments to look at the funding formula, putting more funding into schools rather than vanity projects and focusing on initiatives that they can be directly involved with. 'Headteachers are all making things work, we have to do what's best for the children but it's not easy.' Concerns have been raised by teachers following funding cuts (Image: PA Media) Another Bolton headteacher, who asked to remain anonymous, echoed the sentiment: 'We're facing a funding crisis that's pushing us to the brink. With increased National Insurance costs, rising wages, and no corresponding rise in funding, we're barely breaking even. Expectations continue to rise, but the funding doesn't—while the needs of our children grow every year. 'There's simply no money left for vital areas like computing infrastructure, much needed repairs to schools, let alone the extras that enrich education, like school trips or new classroom resources. 'We've had to cut right back and now rely on donations from parents just to cover essentials. The next step is losing staff—and no school can function without its people. In the end, it's the children who suffer most.' Concerns about the lowered funding had also been raised to Bolton West MP Phil Brickell. Mr Brickell said: 'Since my election I have made it a priority to speak to headteachers and parents. I think it's fair to say that Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) funding is a top priority. "We need to break down barriers to achievement and make an education system where all can achieve and thrive. 'The SEND system we inherited from the Conservatives has lost the confidence of families and Labour is committed to restoring trust. 'Since coming to office last year, the Labour government has put SEND central to its policies with an injection of funding into services and an investment of £740 million more to create specialist places. 'Shortly after my election, I met with Bridget Phillipson the Secretary of State for Education and discussed my concerns regarding funding for SEND. 'Locally we have 8,961 children and young people diagnosed with SEND, which is a 20 per cent increase over the past seven years. The number of ECHPs has nearly doubled since 2018 but the local council's compliance in issuing EHCPs within 20 weeks has increased from 38% in 2023 to 71 per cent in 2024. 'This is a massive improvement in the first year of a Labour Government but it also means a third of parents and children are still not getting adequate support. 'With that in mind, I welcome the Government's new investment in family hubs and early years, with the Chancellor's autumn Budget in October setting aside £1 billion in additional funding for SEND support.' The Bolton News has approached the Department for Education for comment.
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Eight in ten parents agree on one essential quality they expect from teachers
As stern celebrity headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh takes a protest to Whitehall over Labour's Schools Bill - research shows one of her complaints is dramatically out of touch with parents Parents expect their children to be taught by qualified teachers, with 80% backing it as an essential requirement, research shows. Labour 's Schools bill will require new teachers in England must have - or be working towards - Qualified Teacher Status, to give parents confidence teachers have the skills to drive high standards. Currently it's not a legal requirement in some schools for teachers not to have formal teaching qualifications. And a protest led by stern celebrity headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh is heading to Whitehall tomorrow, demanding schools be allowed to continue putting unqualified people in charge of classes. But new figures show the vast majority of adults back the new rules, and would expect all new teachers to get formal teacher training before starting work. Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, said: "Every child deserves to be taught by an expert teacher. It's what parents want, its common sense, and it's what we are delivering. 'The facts speak for themselves – parents expect nothing less than qualified professionals leading their children's education. And I won't apologise for being on the side of parents who rightly want the best for our young people.' The Schools Bill also introduces a cap on the number of branded items schools can require parents to shell out for - which will impact Ms Birbalsingh's school, the ultra-traditional Michaela free school in Wembley, Greater London. The average cost of a child's uniform at the school, which demands parents shell out for six mandatory items, is £188 for boys and £156 for girls. Michaela school has made headlines for imposing military-style discipline, rote learning and silent corridors. While the school has achieved excellent academic results, critics say it has done so at the cost of pupils' wellbeing and creative education. Ms Phillipson added: 'It shouldn't be controversial to expect the people who hold the keys to so many futures to be qualified. We continue to push for skilled experts teaching in all subjects - from maths to music. But teachers should be both experts in their field, and masters of their profession.' Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leaders' union NAHT, said: 'There is no over-estimating the importance of teachers to a child's education. Put simply, teachers change lives and open doors. It is therefore vital that all teachers receive the highest quality training – and Qualified Teacher Status is central to that. 'Our members support the government's ambition for all teachers to hold QTS in the future. The professional status of teaching matters and it is no coincidence that in countries where teachers are highly valued, pupil outcomes tend to be high. While it won't be achieved overnight, we look forward to working with the government to help them achieve this ambitious goal.'
The Independent
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
School leaders' union launches legal action against Ofsted over report card plan
A school leaders' union has launched legal action against Ofsted over the potential impact of their inspection proposals on the mental health of headteachers and school staff. The NAHT school leaders' union issued a claim to the High Court for judicial review on Friday as it says that adequate consultation has not been conducted regarding the education watchdog's report card plans. The claim comes ahead of the NAHT's annual conference in Harrogate North Yorkshire, this weekend. Under Ofsted's plans, which were set out in a consultation in February, schools in England could be graded across eight to 10 areas of a provision using a colour-coded five-point scale. They would receive ratings, from the red 'causing concern' to orange 'attention needed', through the green shades of 'secure', 'strong' and 'exemplary' for each area of practice. The NAHT has said Ofsted's report card proposals involve an increased number of graded sub-judgments, which school leaders fear will only increase high-stakes accountability and pressure. A motion to be debated at the NAHT annual conference on Saturday calls for the introduction of Ofsted report cards as a measure of school accountability to be 'opposed'. The motion, on which conference delegates will vote, calls for all 'legal and industrial options' to be explored fully to protect the mental and physical health and wellbeing of school leaders and staff. Last year, the Government announced that headline Ofsted grades for overall effectiveness for schools in England would be scrapped. Previously, Ofsted awarded one of four single-phrase inspection judgments: outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate. The move came after Ofsted faced criticism after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry. Mrs Perry took her own life in January 2023 after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading, Berkshire, from the highest to the lowest overall effectiveness rating over safeguarding concerns. On Monday, Julia Waters, Mrs Perry's sister, joined education professionals in an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson calling for proposed changes to Ofsted inspections to be delayed. In a fresh statement, Prof Waters said: 'I share the frustration of headteachers. Everyone agrees that schools and teachers should be accountable for the quality of the education they provide. But this new system, proposed for itself by Ofsted, could be worse than the flawed and dangerous process it replaces. 'We have enough evidence from repeated inquiries and other national systems that show what might work better for pupils, parents, and teachers as a system of school inspection in England.' Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, said: 'Somehow the focus on school leader mental health and wellbeing has got lost along the way during Ofsted's consultation process. 'We must not forget that the catalyst for these changes was the tragic death of Ruth Perry and widespread acceptance that the inspection regime was placing school leaders under intolerable pressure. 'However, there appears to have been very little thought given to the impact on the wellbeing of school leaders in the drawing up of these plans and the consultation that followed. 'School leaders are deeply concerned that the new report cards could result in an even worse system than before, with potentially disastrous impact on workload, wellbeing and retention. 'We have tried engaging with Ofsted and explaining this, but so far these concerns have fallen largely on deaf ears. 'We have been left with little choice other than to pursue this action.' An Ofsted spokeswoman said: 'Supporting the mental health of those we inspect is an important part of the development of our proposals and we are already hearing positive feedback through our inspection tests. 'Our legal team have responded robustly to NAHT. 'Their suggested claims are plainly untenable. 'If legal action is launched, we will resist and seek costs.'
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'Toxic' culture in Manx education department, union claims
A head teachers' union has raised a formal dispute with the education department on the Isle of Man, making claims of a "toxic culture" and an abuse of National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has written to the island's interim chief executive, Mark Lewin, also citing their concerns over alleged "bullying and intimidation of school leaders".The NAHT's Robert Kelsall has called for a meeting "at the earliest opportunity, to seek a resolution and to avoid any further escalation of this dispute".The Department of Education, Sport & Culture (Desc) said it acknowledged the serious nature of the concerns raised by the union, but "completely refutes" the allegations. "They do not reflect the standards or values we uphold within the department," it said, in a party has included the details of any specific cases which could have led to the collective dispute.A collective dispute is a complaint by a group of employees in connection with their employment, which is pursued on their behalf by the union representing them. Breakdown in relations In his letter, Mr Kelsall said the union had been "compelled to raise a formal collective dispute regarding a flagrant abuse of established policies and procedures, bullying and intimidation of school leaders, and the fostering of a toxic culture within Desc".The alleged breaches "disproportionately and exclusively" affect NAHT members and "represent a direct attack on the union membership and legitimate activities" of members and officials, Mr Kelsall stated there had been a "significant breakdown in industrial relations and a profound loss of trust and confidence in the senior leadership of the department". A Desc spokesman said the department believed the concerns stemmed "from a matter that has been under discussion for some time and remains subject to ongoing internal processes", adding it would be "inappropriate to comment further to ensure due process, fairness, and confidentiality".He said the department remained committed to "working constructively with all recognised teaching unions".He said Desc was "open to meaningful dialogue" and maintaining a "respectful and collaborative relationship with all education partners – including school leaders and their representatives". Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
The Independent
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
School leaders call for urgent ‘sensitive' guidance after gender ruling
The Government must provide schools with 'non-divisive and sensitive' guidance following the Supreme Court's ruling on the legal definition of a woman, a school leaders' union has said. Schools must remain 'safe, inclusive spaces' for all staff, children and families, delegates at the annual conference of the NAHT heard. Last month, the UK's highest court ruled the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex'. This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) can be excluded from single-sex spaces if 'proportionate'. School leaders are being put in a 'very difficult' position as they try to understand what the ruling means for staff and pupils, the conference heard. Delegates voted to call on the NAHT executive to write to the Education Secretary to request 'urgent support and information' for schools. An emergency motion, which was passed at the conference in Harrogate on Saturday, also called on the NAHT to lobby the Government to provide schools with 'non-divisive and sensitive guidance' so they know what the law means and so they remain 'safe, inclusive spaces' for staff, children and families. Delegate Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson, from Birmingham, who proposed the motion, said the Government should provide inclusive, safe and 'dignified' guidance for school leaders to help them navigate the new law successfully. She said: 'The Supreme Court judgment has had an immediate impact and implications for some of our members, thrown them into turmoil as they are faced with impossible decisions about everyday practices. 'It has already been divisive.' Ms Hewitt-Clarkson added: 'This motion is asking Government for clarity to help us lead our way through this whilst ensuring everyone's dignity and safety remain intact. 'Our union's policy position already states that our schools must be inclusive, safe places for all, but the new law has left some unsafe and seemingly unprotected. 'It feels as if the load has been given to school leaders to sort their own way through it, which is unfair and leaves us all vulnerable.' Delegate Debra Walker, from Sunderland, said: 'This ruling has many implications, many of which concern me and worry me, but I don't even know what I don't know. 'I have so many unknown unknowns that I'm very worried. 'The DfE's (Department for Education's) job should be to anticipate the impact on us as leaders, on our organisations, and act with urgency to protect us from the myriad of consequences of this ruling.' The motion, which was unanimously carried, also called on the NAHT executive to support the TUC Trade Unions for Trans Rights Network by 'publicising activities to members and encouraging participation'. Last month, delegates at the annual conference of the NASUWT voted to call on the teaching union to 'campaign and collectivise against any knee-jerk policy changes in educational settings' in response to the ruling. On Monday, the Government said it will not be hurried into publishing guidance for schools on how to support children who are questioning their gender. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said it was important the right information was provided to schools. Draft guidance for schools and colleges on how best to support pupils has been on hold since Labour entered Government. It was published by the Conservative government in December 2023, with a consultation ending in March last year.
