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NEWS


Which way now?

Much of the Coalition Government’s education policy to date has derived from recommendations made by three major right-wing think-tanks – the Centre for Policy Studies, Policy Exchange and Reform.

In order to signpost the likely direction of future Government policy, the NASUWT has undertaken an analysis, entitled Which Way Now?, of the main themes and ideas from 30 key documents published since 1997 by these three bodies.

Unsurprisingly, the forecast is grim, with the think-tanks advocating a narrowing of the curriculum, the removal of a national system of teachers’ pay and conditions and the marketisation of the education system with choice seen as the primary indicator of success.

Many of the ideas floated by the think-tanks have already been adopted by the Government, including the abolition of a number of quangos, the introduction of academies and free schools and changes to the 14-19 Diplomas.

Given that the Coalition Government has announced so many of the policies advocated by these think-tanks, the NASUWT has predicted that it is highly likely that future proposals will include a freeze on public sector pay until 2014/15 and making subjects such as citizenship and personal, social and health education (PSHE) optional in schools.

The NASUWT’s research starkly demonstrates why it is so critical that all those who care about a democratically accountable and publicly funded education system work together to resist all attempts to dismantle and denigrate it.

Which Way Now? Go online: www.nasuwt.org.uk/ChampioningEducation

Hard copies are also available by contacting the NASUWT on 0121 453 6150 or emailing despatch@mail.nasuwt.org.uk.


Shaping sporting success

Potential young Olympians are being supported by the NASUWT.

The Union supported the Sainsbury’s UK School Games, which took place in the north-east of England last month and gave young athletes the opportunity to compete against the best in their field.

The Games encompassed ten sports, with each one combined into a fourday games environment designed to replicate the structure of major events such as the Olympics.

One national and 38 School Games records were broken, reflecting the quality of the competition and giving great hope for future British athletes.

Over 800 young people took part in question and answer sessions with Olympians and Paralympians and athlete mentors were on hand to offer guidance and practical tips to competitors.

Further details are available at www.ukschoolgames.com.


Made in Dagenham

A new British film is helping to teach children and young people about equality and trade unionism.

Made in Dagenham tells the true story of the women sewing machinists’ strike at the Ford car factory in Dagenham in 1968, which led to the advent of the Equal Pay Act.

With an all-star British cast, the film documents a significant part of the development of the women’s movement in the UK and the struggle for workers’ rights, which still continues today through the work of trade unions such as the NASUWT.

To tie in with the film’s release, Film Education has developed a package of online resources that uses key elements from the film to explore a range of curriculum areas, including history, media studies and English, now available at www.filmeducation.org/madeindagenham.

Media and film studies students can gain a unique behind-the-scenes insight into the film’s production and marketing through exclusive interviews with the crew and an in-depth look at the political and social context surrounding the Ford strike, which is provided by Mary Davis, Professor of Labour History at London Metropolitan University.

Film Education is a charity that provides feature films as a tool to engage students in the wider curriculum. It provides teacher training and a range of free-of-charge and purchasable resources suitable for both primary and secondary level.

More details are available at www.filmeducation.org.