Politicians Must Restore the Confidence and Status of Teachers, Shadow Education Secretary tells ITN Productions

LONDON, June 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Stephen Twigg MP, the Shadow Education Secretary, has called for an evidence-based approach to policy-making, and urged politicians on all sides to help rebuild the reputation and confidence of the teaching profession.

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In an interview with ITN Productions' Education News Channel, the MP for Liverpool West Derby and former Minister for Schools said that a haphazard approach to policymaking is demoralising teachers.

"I visit schools every week and I'm shocked at how low morale is," he said. "Teachers are always critical of education ministers but I've never known the level of concern that I see now. I think we need to restore the status of the teaching profession, [for example by supporting] a Royal College of Teachers, an idea that's been put forward by the cross-party select committee."

He continued: "The current government has done away with an evidence-based approach to policy. What we're seeing now is a narrowing of the school curriculum both in primary and secondary that I think is very damaging educationally, but is also damaging to our future economy."

In response, Michael Gove insists that his policies are based on evidence and calls to open a dialogue with teachers to get to the bottom of why their morale is low and stress levels are high.  

In a Q&A session and subsequent exclusive interview with ITN Productions at the NAHT Annual Conference last week, Mr Gove said he appreciates that asking for more, with less is a tough call but the government wants to work with teachers in order to ensure all children benefit from great quality teaching.

To see the full interview with Michael Gove MP, Stephen Twigg MP, and more exclusive content from industry professionals and experts in education, please go to: http://www.educationnews.itn.co.uk/

Education news from ITN Productions, presented by Natasha Kaplinsky, includes reports about

• Words of welcome from the NAHT General Secretary, Russell Hobby, outlining the five key themes for the coming year for the NAHT
• Highlights from the Q&A session with Michael Gove at the NAHT conference.
• Edison Learning's MD, Tim Nash on Aspire - the school improvement service developed in partnership with the NAHT
• Key themes from the NAHT press conference in Birmingham, including an alternative to Ofsted
• Taking on a low performing school could be career suicide.  That and other thoughts from the NAHT 2013 delegates.
• How Belgrave St Bartholomew's Academy's collaborative approach is delivering a curriculum with a difference
• Myscience gets the best for its pupils by giving the best to its staff
• Achievement for All's unstinting emphasis on the aspiration, access and achievement of pupils
• Prospects Improve remaining a mark of quality despite turbulence in the education sector
• New approaches to community student engagement, an exciting change of gear by the Oxford University Press
• LEGO Education's ingenious new ways of developing skills in STEM subjects
• Putting teachers' finances first at EF Solutions
• A day in the life with the NGA shows that effectives governors needn't have worked in education before
• Randstad place supply teachers who can make an impact in the classroom

Education News is the latest industry channel from ITN Productions' corporate production team, which works with trade bodies and associations to deliver high-quality news programming for individual vertical business sectors, producing videos about key industry topics, sharing best practice and updating on industry developments.

About ITN Productions: ITN Productions is ITN's central creative hub producing content for major global brands in the broadcast, online, mobile and corporate sectors.

About the NAHT Conference: The NAHT Annual Conference takes place between the 17^th and the 19^th May 2013 at the Birmingham NEC. Around 5,000 head teachers, teachers, education consultants, trade union representatives, local councillors and other education professionals will attend.  The schedule included a Q&A with Education Secretary Michael Gove.

Education News enquiries: Derek Dyson, Executive Producer, or Elizabeth Fisher-Robins, Programme Producer, ITN Productions

Tel: +44(0)20-7430-4646 or email: Derek.Dyson@itn.co.uk Elizabeth.Fisher-Robins@itn.co.uk

For media enquiries about the NAHT please contact: Heather Forse, Senior Press Officer. Tel: +44(0)1444-472452. heather.forse@naht.org.uk