education

THE largest teaching trade union in Nottingham has said the city council must give schools a sense of direction over the next four years.

NASUWT branch secretary Graham Byers said schools felt like their only option at the moment was to become academies.

"The one thing that I would want to see and hopefully I will be seeing from the local authority is some sort of direction," he said.

"With so many schools in the city already academies, and maybe some more in the future, I'd want to see some sort of direction for schools of this is where we're going.

"Some schools think academies are the only option - they look at the financial enticements in place, and it's what the Government wants."

He said it was important the council looks after its teaching staff over the next four years.

Mr Byers added: "If the local authority is reducing as it is at the moment, how can they keep those quality services?

"It's important to look after workers. I truly believe that a good head teacher equals a good school."

Dr Peter Gates, associate professor at the University of Nottingham's School of Education, said he would like to see city schools become more relevant to employment.

"That would mean that for a lot of the kids in schools in Nottingham, education can be seen to have a purpose and make sense," he said.

"I'd like to see that transition for young people and employment. Schools shouldn't exist on their own - at the moment they seem they're on their own having to meet all these targets for GCSEs - but it would be nice to have some realism."

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503354/s/15062fad/l/0L0Sthisisnottingham0O0Cnews0Ceducation0Carticle0E35768820Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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