'One-to-one tuition is no longer the preserve of those with money seeking to buy advantage for their children' says the NASUWT
Commenting on the statement on Building Britain's Future made this afternoon in the House of Commons by the Prime Minister, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers' union in the UK, said:
"It has to be right to shift the focus in public services from meeting targets to meeting the aspirations and needs of every individual.
"There is a wealth of evidence to demonstrate that the focus on meeting targets was becoming a barrier to ensuring high quality service delivery.
"The proposal for one-to-one 'catch up' tuition for children and young people who have fallen behind their peers will be attractive to parents and teachers alike.
"Teachers will get the support they need in ensuring that each pupil is achieving the highest possible standard.
"All parents will have access to the help and support that has previously been the preserve of those with money seeking to buy advantage for their children.
"There are many teachers who have recently retired, who work on supply or who are in the pool of inactive teachers who will welcome the opportunity to provide one-to-one support.
"Also welcome is the announcement of the guaranteed place in work, training or education for every under-25 year old who has been out of employment for a year. This is a crucial strategy to prevent a generation being lost to unemployment.
"Federating schools, under the auspices of the local authority, is an excellent way of delivering pupil entitlement and value for money, particularly in small schools.
"However, there is no evidence that structural change to establish trusts or academies raises standards. There is in fact growing evidence that structural change becomes a distraction from focusing on improving outcomes for children and young people.
"I welcome the strong commitment to backing headteachers to enforce good behaviour. This is absolutely essential. School leaders must in turn support those in the front line in the classroom who face the day-to-day realities of challenging pupil behaviour.
"However, the role of governing bodies must not be forgotten. They have a responsibility to uphold the professional judgement of teachers and headteachers in matters of pupil discipline."
