Teaching staff oppose latest education proposals

Members of the Wakefield and District National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Wakefield branch of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers attended the event on Wednesday.

They are opposing proposals set out by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan in March.

The event featured a speech from award-winning children’s author Alan Gibbons, as well as trade union members.

Sally Kincaid, divisional secretary of Wakefield and District NUT, said: “We have had enough of our children being political footballs, their education and mental health is too important to be wrecked by endless dictates from central government. The government have to start listening to teachers and parents.”

Teaching trade unions will ballot for strike action on May 23, to demand a national contract for all teachers, regardless of whether they work in an Academy or school, and opposing the education reforms.