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Contents

Features September/October 2010

4 Defending state education The NUT is joining forces with other unions to defend schools and protect teachers’ rights. Chris Brown reports.

14 SATs boycotted, league tables scuppered. Now what? What does the future hold for school assessment and accountability?

15 Squeezed? Over-burdened by excessive planning, assessment, class sizes and hours? You’re not alone, says Sarah Lyons.

21 Looking outwards Janey Hulme reports from this year’s NUT National Education Conference.

24 Where there’s a Will... The NUT is working with Equity members on a project celebrating Shakepeare.

26 Pay and pensions under attack How will the Government’s planned public sector cuts hit you?

29 Value your voice! Your voice is an essential work tool. Phyllida Furse of Voice Care Network UK offers tips for taking care of it.

33 Early years The NUT welcomes increased nursery provision, but is concerned that early years teachers could lose out.

34 Wanted: education for 72 million The Steve Sinnott Foundation is striving to achieve education for all worldwide. Sam Tiwari explains how and why.

43 Becoming an eco-school Three NUT members explain how their village primary became a trailblazing and award-winning green school.

50 Deficit deception The Chancellor’s plans to cut the deficit can’t work, says Ann Pettifor.

Cover image: Justin Tallis/reportdigital.co.uk

Regulars

 6 Upfront

13 International

 16 Your union

 22 Ask the union

 30 Teachnology

 36 Learning with the NUT

 38 Reviews

 41 Noticeboard

44 Staffroom confidential

46 Letters

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The Teacher is the magazine of the National Union of Teachers, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD

Tel.020 7388 6191 www.teachers.org.uk

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Welcome

Teachers and schools are under attack. Teachers are facing a two-year pay freeze from 2011 (page 26), and the Government’s review and reform of public sector pensions means many are likely to lose out on tens of thousands of pounds in retirement (page 27).

The Building Schools for the Future programme has been scrapped (page 6), and the new Government’s fi xation with academies and free schools is undermining state education, putting public assets into private hands and threatening democratic accountability, equitable provision and fair funding (page 4).

The NUT has joined with other unions to oppose these damaging changes – already with considerable success. In June, Education Secretary Michael Gove said over 1,100 schools were seeking academy freedoms. The NUT, with fi ve other unions, launched a campaign to let teachers, parents and governors know the truth about academies. By 1 September only 153 schools had applied to change status, and just 32 of these had done so.

Campaigning by the NUT and others also won crucial concessions in the hastily-passed Academies Bill, on issues such as consultation, special needs and freedom of information.

Being part of a strong, campaigning union has seldom been so important. If you’re already an NUT member, please support our work in any way you can. If you’re not, please join us! Find out how at www.teachers.org.uk.

Elyssa Campbell-Barr Editor

President: Gill Goodswen General secretary: Christine Blower Deputy general secretary: Kevin Courtney Editor: Elyssa Campbell-Barr Journalist: Janey Hulme Administration: Maryam Hulme Editorial support: Peta Lunberg Design templates: Home