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School leaders must not be left to “carry the can” for the policy plans in the government’s White Paper if the support that it promises fails to materialise, the NAHT general secretary has warned.

Paul Whiteman told the union’s annual conference in Belfast today that teachers and leaders had been “crying out” for many of the commitments made by the government in the policy paper, but warned that delivery and funding remain major concerns.

He said the “sets a vision for education that we have not seen for well over a decade”, and praised ministers for looking “beyond the school gate” to support children and families.

Mr Whiteman also pointed to wider government policies, including the expansion of free school meals, the removal of the two-child benefit cap and plans on teacher recruitment and retention.

He said the government also deserved credit for “going beyond acknowledging the special educational needs and disabilities crisis and grasping the nettle of reform”.

But he told delegates: “It’s delivery that worries me.”

Funding doubts

Mr Whiteman warned that rising prices and higher basic costs of running schools could undermine the government’s plans.

“I am not convinced that the worthy ambitions of the White Paper will be realistic unless proper funding is available,” he said.

“And I am yet to be convinced that you will be provided with the power and resources to ensure you receive the support services promised and not be forced to carry the can when they are not available.”

He said that Labour risked falling into the same trap as previous governments by describing education “as a failing activity to be solved” rather than recognising what schools already achieve.

Mr Whiteman also criticised new measures on enrichment and inclusion, saying they suggested that school leaders “need to be forced to do what you already do”.

He said school success was being achieved “in spite of the underfunding, lack of staff and compliance demands”.

The NAHT leader added that ministers must address teacher pay and conditions, warning that staff are “stressed beyond breaking point”, under pressure from workload and accountability.

Ofsted risks ‘continue’

Mr Whiteman also used his speech to renew the NAHT’s attack on Ofsted, echoing warnings made earlier in the day by the union’s incoming president, Dave Woods.

He said the union’s campaign for better inspection was “not over”, telling delegates: “Ofsted does not raise standards, nor does it serve children. You do.”

Mr Whiteman welcomed Ofsted agreeing a package of measures to hear and understand school leaders’ experiences, saying this offered a chance to move beyond “public claim and counterclaim”.

But he said he is “mad as hell” that Ofsted, government and the courts are allowing inspections to continue to pose a risk to school leaders’ wellbeing.

He said: “The education establishment is on notice. On notice that these risks are entirely foreseeable and avoidable.”

He also warned school leaders not to allow themselves to be defined by inspection grades or “simplistic measures”.

“Don’t allow yourself to be defined by the reductive nature of a two-day snapshot of your school,” Mr Whiteman said.

‘Soft bigotry’ trope rejected

The NAHT general secretary also said he rejected the phrase “soft bigotry of low expectations”, which has been used in education debates to justify ideas of expecting less from disadvantaged pupils.

He said changing the phrase to “the quiet curse” had “fooled no one”. “I reject the lazy trope of soft bigotry,” he said.

He criticised the idea that politicians or inspectors had “more ambition for children” than teachers and leaders working in coastal villages or post-industrial towns.

“How dare they continue to insult you, your dedication, professionalism and love of your communities,” he said.