UCU: 'Consultation and proper piloting of 14-19 reforms please', schoolteachers and lecturers tell government.

Representatives of schoolteachers and college lecturers will today spell out their shared vision for the 14-19 education sector and tell government 'if you want high quality education, ensure there is consultation and proper piloting of reforms please, and less competition not more'.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the University and College Union (UCU) will today (Friday 30) launch a joint policy statement at UCU's national, annual congress, taking place in Manchester.

The joint statement calls for proper long term strategic reform of 14-19 education. It emphasises that all reforms must be both properly piloted and properly funded with the full involvement of teachers and lecturers in their evaluation

NUT general secretary Christine Blower will open the morning congress session with a speech outlining the vision, values and concerns of NUT members - messages expected to resonate with college lecturers being called upon to teach more 14-19 year olds.

The joint policy statement will then be co-signed by the unions' general secretaries: NUT's Christine Blower and UCU's Sally Hunt.

The joint policy statement '14-19 Education' includes reference to:

• shared values,
• equality and inclusiveness,
• professional development,
• general and vocational education
• assessment and inspection
• the need for fair funding

Christine Blower is likely to also refer to the growing workload pressures on teaching staff in both schools and colleges and issues including privatisation, diplomas, academies and public sector pay.

UCU and NUT are co-operating in a joint campaign: 'Our schools, our colleges, our communities', to protect the quality of education and to improve the pay of teaching staff.

Sally Hunt said: 'I am pleased to be joining with NUT in launching this joint policy document on a vital phase of education. Together the two unions have now forged a firm foundation to fight for a curriculum and qualifications which will be truly inclusive and give all young people a good start for work and further learning.'

Christine Blower said:
'The joint statement calls for proper long term strategic reform of 14-19 education. It emphasises that all reforms must be both properly piloted and properly funded with the full involvement of teachers and lecturers in their evaluation.

'Our joint statement injects a spirit of hope into the future for 14-19 education. All the evidence shows that when countries aspire to high quality education for all their young people and involves fully their teaching communities, those countries are successful both socially and economically.'

Ends

Note to picture editor: picture available of the two general secretaries, Sally and Christine, signing the statement / holding a copy of the statement, after Christine's speech, at 09.45am, in the conference hall.

Note : Copies of the document available on request tphillips@ucu.org.uk

The full text of all the motions for UCU Congress and the timetable can be found at http://www.ucu.org.uk/congress08timetable

Contact UCU press officer Trevor Philips 07773 796882

NUT press office: 0207 380 4706