Labour accused of kowtowing to militant teacher unions in row over flagship school reforms

LABOUR has been accused of kowtowing to militant teacher unions in a row over its flagship school reforms.

But Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson was refusing to make any concessions to her overhaul despite the backlash.

Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, walking outside Downing Street.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson refused to make any concessions to her overhaul despite the backlashCredit: Alamy

Her sweeping reforms will force academies to follow national edicts on everything from curriculum, to staffing qualifications, to uniform standards.

But former Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman launched a scathing attack on the plans — long demanded by union leaders.

She accused Ms Phillipson of pandering to teacher unions who will “always defend the interests of the adults in schools over those of children”.

She urged the Education Secretary to pull the reforms in the Schools Bill “before the damage is done”.

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Her intervention sparked a furious retaliation from Ms Phillipson’s allies who branded her tenure as Ofsted chief a “failure”.

Tory Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott warned children would pay the price of the Bill.

She said: “So blinded by ideology and kowtowing to the demands of union bosses, the government’s plans are a wrecking ball for standards in schools.”

“They will stop good schools from being able to grow, and leave pupils in failing schools for longer.”

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School children sitting in an assembly.
Tory Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott warned children would pay the price of the BillCredit: Alamy

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