NUT video: Christine Blower interview

Wednesday, 11 July 2012 11:35 AM

Much attention has been paid to the coalition's education reforms in areas like tuition fees and free schools. But surprisingly little has been said about Michael Gove's reforms to primary education. And the most controversial of these reforms is undoubtedly Gove's proposals for all children to be taught literacy using phonics testing only. 

Phonics testing is a learning-to-read method being rolled out across schools up and down the country, despite a large and distinct body of expert opinion speaking out against it. 

So, what is phonics testing? Why is it being introduced? And what are the dangers for children? 

Christine Blower from the National Union of Teachers (NUT) answers all these questions and others in our exclusive video interview

Was this video interesting? We have lots of videos and short films by our Opinion Formers available to watch in our online video gallery. 

Disclaimer: Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers who promote their organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within politics.co.uk. politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility of the originating company or organisation.

Related stories

Social mobility as bad as 1970s

Hughes insists reforms will show progress

Social mobility in the UK has not improved since the 1970s, despite ten years of a Labour government, a report by the Sutton Trust finds today.

Balls 'humbled' to be leading schools reforms

Balls handed schools and children

The new schools and children secretary has spoken of his "honour and responsibility" at his promotion.

Teachers told to forget red tape and embrace school trips

Balls wants more children to go on school trips

Schools and children secretary Ed Balls has said he wants pupils to take part in more school trips, as part of a bid to counter accusations of a "health and safety culture".

Galloway was victim of child abuse

Respect MP George Galloway revealed today that he was abused by a school caretaker at the age of 11.

Respect MP George Galloway revealed today that he was abused by a school caretaker at the age of 11.

Interview: Fathers 4 Justice

Politics.co.uk

We interview Matt O'Conner, founder of Fathers 4 Justice, to find out quite how many more superhero stunts angry commuters are going to have to put up with.

NUT seeks teachers' pay review

Teachers are due to go on strike on April 24th

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has today called on the schools secretary Ed Balls to review teachers' pay after inflation was set at 3.8 per cent.

Video: Climate Camp - Ed Thompson interview

Activists at the DECC this morning

Climate Camp activist Ed Thompson explains what the protesters hope to achieve during the direct action.

Video: Nick Clegg on education

Politics.co.uk

From <i>politics.co.uk's</i> exclusive interview with Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg. Here Mr Clegg outlines his proposals for a pupil premium and talks about university tuition fees.

Video: Cameron on 'national civil service'

Politics.co.uk

David Cameron explains his proposal for a national citizen service for all 16-year-olds.

Press Releases

NUT comment on Approved Free School Applications for 2014

Labour’s Interim Report on Further Education

NUT: Evaluation of the Phonics Screening Check - First Interim Report

NUT Cymru: Fears over the introduction of truancy fines

NUT: Children left in tears and disengaged as literacy and numeracy tests are introduced

Michael Gove’s letter to schools re teachers’ pay - NUT response

NUT: Nick Clegg raises concerns over Government plans to relax child care ratios

NUT on Queen’s Speech: Many teachers "in despair"

NUT: Michael Gove’s reforms are plain wrong

NUT: Demos report on Ofsted

More Articles ...

Twitter

Join the conversation at #opinion_formers

Related Opinion Former Press Releases

NUT: Children left in tears and disengaged as literacy and numeracy tests are introduced

NUT Cymru says it has received alarming reports regarding the impact of the introduction of literacy and numeracy tests for all pupils from Year 2 – Year 9. Examples of students crying, reacting angrily and even threatening to no longer attend classes have been rife, especially amongst younger children.

NUT/YouGov Survey: Parents express confidence in teachers but no confidence in Government education policies

A You Gov survey of 2,008 parents commissioned by the NUT shows that after almost three years in power only 8% of parents believe that the Government has made a positive impact on the education system.

Michael Gove’s letter to schools re teachers’ pay - NUT response

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, comments on the letter sent to schools questioning the NUT/NASUWT joint pay policy checklist.

Special event coverage

ESRC logo

Festival of Social Sciences: Celebrating the Social Sciences

Evidence-based policy should not be a radical concept. It needs to be celebrated.

ESRC logo

Festival of Social Sciences: 2 languages: 2 brains, 2 minds, 2 cultures?

As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences, the Deafness Cognition And Language Research Centre (DCAL) hosted an event exploring the powerful benefits of bilingualism in spoken and sign languages, for hearing and deaf people alike - benefits that reach hearing and deaf people alike.

Opinion Former Events

MRSA Action UK Annual Memorial Event

Families will pay tribute and remember those lost to MRSA and healthcare associated infections at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 13th June 2013

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition & Conference 2013

Following the great success of the BSIA's Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition in May 2012, we are pleased to annouce that the event is returning again in June 2013. This one-day conference and exhibition is aimed at key decision makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material.