Morgan promises to reduce teacher workload

30 Sep 14
Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has pledged to work with trade unions to devise ways to reduce the overall burden on teachers across the country as part of a 'new deal’ for the profession.

By Richard Johnstone in Birmingham | 1 October 2014

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has pledged to work with trade unions to devise ways to reduce the overall burden on teachers across the country as part of a 'new deal’ for the profession.

In her first major speech since replacing Michael Gove at the Department for Education in July, Morgan said that the dedication of teachers must not be taken for granted.

‘We forget that teachers are not just teachers: they're also friends and relatives. Mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters,’ she said.

‘And when I hear of teachers working late into the night marking books, planning lessons, preparing for inspections that may or may not come, I do two things – I marvel at their dedication, but I also think, there must be a better way.’

She said she did not want children to be taught by someone too tired, too stressed and too anxious to do the job well.

‘So I have set two priorities: firstly to do everything I can to reduce the overall burden on teachers, and second to ensure that teachers spend more time in the classroom teaching.’

This would not be easy, as teachers in England work longer than in many other countries for many varied reasons that it would be impossible to solve quickly.

However, she would work with the profession over the coming months in a bid to find some solutions, with talks with unions and engagement with teachers across the country now planned.

‘I will be out meeting them, answering their questions and listening to what they have to say – working with them to craft a new deal for teachers that treats them as the professionals they are,' Morgan told delegates.

Responding to Morgan’s speech, Chris Keates, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers, said there were ‘welcome warm words for the teaching profession’.
She added: ‘Teachers will welcome the recognition that their professional lives are blighted by excessive workload.
‘But tackling workload effectively will require the secretary of state to recognise the contribution of this government’s policies to the current excessive workload burdens.’

Keates highlighted that a survey of teachers found working hours had increased by one-fifth over the last four years.

‘This is the reality of the state of the teaching profession after four years of this government's policies and it will take action from the secretary of state, as well as words of encouragement, to rectify this.’

Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said Morgan would need to be clear about what her commitment to trusting the profession will mean.

‘Schools improve when the quality of teaching improves. This happens most effectively when teachers work together and learn effective strategies from each other, within and across schools,’ he added.


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