Community: The Union for Life

Dean Cox, Community, seconding motion 55.

Congress, Community is seconding this motion because we believe it goes to the heart of what we do as unions. This motion is about recognising the needs of all, standing up for the vulnerable and including the marginalised.

This is about ensuring that our public services and our schools are schools for all;

That as far as possible all our children are educated together;

That there are no educational ghettos.

Sadly, this is under threat.

We’ve heard about the changes to the policy and practice in this area.

But it’s also about the funding.

I’m chair of governors at Cookley Primary School.

Just a few weeks ago, just in time for the start of the new school year,

the Tory Council in Wyre Forest pulled the money for a new school building.

It was catastrophic news.

This was money that had been promised ages ago;

It was supposedly ring-fenced.

Well, it seems that nothing is ring-fenced from the Tory cuts.

New buildings can ensure that schools are inclusive,

that there is proper access for all children

and that teaching equipment is up to the appropriate standard.

Tory cuts to this funding threatens the future education of all our children.

I’ve got a horrible feeling that the Tories think inclusive education means including everyone in a class –

our class sizes are growing every term –

now we’ve got 34 kids in a portakabin classroom –

this is no way to teach children.

Congress, let’s make a stand today – stand up for our children, stand up for inclusive education and stand up against the Tory cuts.

Support the motion.

Thank you

 

TEXT OF THE MOTION

55 Inclusion
Congress notes the progress that has been made in all aspects of social inclusion during the last 13 years. Congress is concerned about the threats
to this progress that are now being made, and that the social and educational progress of children and young people will be marred by proposed changes to the policy and practice of inclusive education.
Inclusion is conducive to the health and wellbeing of children and their families; inclusive practice in education promotes active citizenship, high self-esteem, improved academic outcomes and shared responsibilities. Inclusive education is
also cost-effective and promotes:
i) empathy between children
ii) integrated communities
iii) improved life chances.
Congress therefore seeks an assurance from the Government that every child still matters and has the entitlement to inclusion, and that schools can expect resources to make this a meaningful educational experience.