The National Education Union holds its annual conference at the Brighton Centre, featuring speeches on education policy, SEND reform, and school violence.
The Brighton Centre is currently hosting the annual conference of the National Education Union (NEU), bringing together around 1,500 members to discuss and vote on the future of education policy. It is a significant gathering for those involved in the sector, with the agenda covering a wide range of pressing issues currently affecting schools across the country.
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Among the speakers at this year's event are Daniel Kebede, the general secretary of the NEU, and the leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski. During his address, Polanski spoke about the current state of UK education, describing it as being under considerable strain. He advocated for increased funding for schools, expressed criticism of the academy model, and called for the abolition of Ofsted, alongside a reduction in standardized testing. He also highlighted the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on children, noting that many are arriving at school hungry or struggling with attendance due to financial pressures at home. Ed Harlow, the president of the NEU, also contributed to the discussions, raising concerns about the influence of the 'incel' culture and far-right ideologies on students.
The conference agenda is packed with motions that delegates are currently debating and voting upon. Key topics include the reform of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision, where there is significant concern regarding funding gaps, and the issue of violence in schools, with reports indicating that a large majority of teachers have experienced verbal abuse. Other points of discussion include opposition to the Year 8 reading test, a push to end scripted or standardized lessons, and strategies to combat the rise of the far-right and misogynistic content online. It is a busy few days for the union members as they work through these motions, focusing on the practical challenges of protecting students and improving the daily reality of the education system.
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