Derbu NUT took a lead in organising this event, which was supported by the NUT, ATL, NASUWT, UNISON and the GMB. It was well-attended and the panel were really excellent.
We heard from Ross, a primary teacher in the city, who spoke eloquently about the real challenges facing our students such as poverty, and how the government's proposals do nothing to address these issues.
We heard from George, a student activist and prominent member of the Student Assembly Against Austerity, who had some appalling stories that showed the effects that the relentless testing culture has had on our students and how it has reduced the way many see education to a narrow and utilitarian tool.
Councilor Sarah Russell, Cabinet Member with responsibility for education gave an excellent speech which revealed the cost to the public of handing over schools to academy trusts, and the special danger that the plans pose to students with special educational needs.
These were powerful contributions - but definitely not reasons to be cheerful! Author Caryl Hart's contribution was a welcome reminder that education can be involving, exciting and creative as volunteers from the audience collectively created a horror story in a brilliant and fun activity.
Contributions from the floor were varied and covered a wide range of problems - and proposed solutions. There was a lot of appetite in the room for action, and not just from teachers. As the NUT prepares to take industrial action should the ballot be successful, this is a great starting point for our campaign in Derby.
Many thanks to all our panelists for their fantastic contributions to the night, and all those who spoke from the floor about their experiences, the problems that education professionals at all levels are facing and the desire to organise to do something about it!
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