Political interference hindering Havering education, says teacher union.

Havering’s National Union of Teachers say schools and teachers should shape education policy, and not the government

Following the organisation’s national conference in Yorkshire last week, NUT secretary for Havering Ray Waxler condemned government practices - including the moves towards base testing for four year olds and “the crisis” in teacher recruitment as threatening the quality of childrens’ education in the borough.

He said: “It should be teachers and educationalists shaping education, and not politicians. Government intervention does not help us do our jobs better, teachers and parents are feeling like we are not being listened to or taken seriously by government leaders.”

In their report on staff workloads, the NUT found that there is a teacher shortage due to them being “overstressed, overworked and underpaid”, which is having a particular impact on newly qualified teachers (NQTs).

NQTS in Havering are “leaving the profession in their droves” according to Mr Waxler, whilst older, higher paid teachers are being forced out in a bid to save money.

Mr Waxler continued: “There is an endemic paranoia felt by teachers to the point that they feel obliged to work additional hours, devise school trips in their spare time and cover colleagues’ lessons. This is against our union rules and needs to be looked at in Havering.”

Funding cuts and OFSTED results are “turning headteachers into bullies” says Mr Waxler.

NUT Havering is to join other national groups in lobbying the new government to protect education spending and abolish OFSTED - in place of an independent, fairer system.