ATL COMMENT ON REFORM’S REPORT ON ACADEMIES

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said:

“Mr Tice proves the adage about a little knowledge being a dangerous thing.  He should stick to sorting out the nation's housing shortage, because he clearly does not understand how ordinary secondary schools work – his belief that schools should behave like businesses proves this.

“He fails to realise some fundamental things about schools.  All schools have a high degree of management independence, the national pay system has huge flexibility, the unions in the social partnership, including ATL, are championing reform rather than blocking it and have been working on a new rigorous performance system for teachers and heads.  But perhaps Mr Tice is opposed to staff being treated fairly?

“He also fails to grasp that state funded schools, including academies, should be properly accountable, and that includes giving rights to the parents of pupils they propose to exclude.

“However, Mr Tice is right about one thing - all schools need to be released from the national curriculum and assessment chains so they can introduce innovation and spontaneity in teaching.”