NASUWT: Schools could crumble under the pressure

The general secretary of teacher's union NASUWT, Chris Keates, comments on the draft Queen's speech:

"The announcement gives a legislative base to a number of prior announcements and so there are no major surprises.

"For teachers, there are a number of issues on which the devil will be in the detail, particularly the flagged reform to strengthen schools accountability to parents.

"If this prompts a review of the whole accountability framework under which schools are currently labouring, to see if it is fit for purpose, then it will be welcome. If it results in another layer of accountability on top of the existing regime then there is a danger schools will crumble under the pressure.

"The proposed reserve powers (for the secretary of state in relation to local authorities) give recognition by government that some local authorities are not carrying out their statutory duties. The NASUWT has been highlighting this for sometime.

"These reserve powers need to be focused on schools underperforming in relation to school workforce issues. However, for these to be effective the secretary of state will need to also find a mechanism to challenge the cosy, unhealthy relationships that exists between some schools and some local authorities which results in statutory provisions being breached."