Teacher activism in primary schools in England

Abstract

The large number of reforms introduced by the United Kingdom Government over the past decade has created a climate of compliance among primary (elementary) schoolteachers in England. In its desire to ‘drive up’ standards in English and Mathematics, the Government has exercised tight control over what is taught and, increasingly, the way it is taught. However, the sleeping giant of teacher activism is beginning to stir again. Teachers are not resorting to industrial action to express their concerns over their loss of autonomy, but rather to leave the profession altogether. The high wastage of trained staff should sound a warning to government at every level to reconsider its policies.