Press Release

Statement on speech by Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families

10 July 2007

Commenting on the speech by the new Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (10 July 2007),  Philip Parkin, General Secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers (PAT), said: “We welcome the new Secretary of State’s commitment to raising standards, including the new National Council for Educational Excellence, and his emphasis on partnership and consultation.

“His speech marks a renewal of policy and we will approach the new agenda with a positive outlook. We look forward to working with the Government, through the Social Partnership, on delivery. 

“We are pleased by the announcements on funding, the training and preparation opportunities for teachers, the review of maths teaching and the pledge to consult on policy affecting children and young people. 

“PAT welcomes the emphasis on discipline, but would prefer to see initiatives involving parents rather than using the blunt instrument of Ofsted to highlight problems that schools are already aware of.

“We welcome the involvement of higher education establishment in the Academies programme but are disappointed that the original commercial sponsorship of academies is to continue.

“The new initiatives announced today must be of benefit to pupils and deliverable by the school workforce.”