Shape Eductation

In 2013 hundreds of members attended our summer seminars in London, Birmingham, Manchester, York and Bristol, where we heard what’s important to education professionals.

Members across all sectors and roles got involved.

More than 2,000 ATL and AMiE members gave views in surveys on the future of education, which formed the Shape Education campaign.

Hundreds of members sent postcards to MPs across all political parties, highlighting the issues which they wanted to see in party manifestos.

And members have met MPs to discuss the issues which matter most.

Members meet Julian Huppert MP, Cambridge

Including the secretary of state for education, shadow secretary of state for education and influential MPs on the Education Select Committee.

Members meet Michael Gove, secretary of state for education and MP for Surrey Heath

Members meet Tristram Hunt, shadow secretary of state for education and MP for Stoke-onTrent Central

By meeting MPs early we have a better opportunity to influence party education manifestos.

Members meet Bill Esterson MP for Sefton Central and Education Select Committee member

“I’m delighted to support the ATL campaign Shape Education. Those of us who truly care about education welcome the opportunity to debate the issues and it is vitally important that teachers and their trade unions have a strong voice in that debate.”

Ian Mearns MP, Gateshead

“It was great to meet ATL members and hear about the issues that matter to them, identified through their Shape Education campaign.

“I am clear that no education system can surpass the quality of its teachers and that is why my focus will be firmly on attracting new talent and building on the existing body of excellent teachers.”

Tristram Hunt, shadow secretary of state for education

We used comments from MP postcards, Shape Education surveys and views expressed during workplace visits, branch meetings, events and conferences to create ATL’s own manifesto for education.

Our key election manifesto themes are:

Members met with MPs and peers at the manifesto launch in Parliament in May and discussed the issues which matter most, together with the themes of the manifesto.

MPs and peers shared their visions for education on Twitter boards, many of which can be viewed on #ShapeEducation.

ATL’s general secretary, Mary Bousted, Ian Mearns MP, Kevin Brennan MP and NUS president, Toni Pearce spoke about the themes of the manifesto which aim to give young people a stake in society through an education system fit for the 21st century.

Once party manifestos are launched ATL will look closely at the pledges to see which match most closely with our vision for education.

We will be holding further events in the run-up to the election where our members will debate policy ideas with candidates to help inform members’ votes.

ATL will continue to support members to organise meetings with constituency MPs, peers and Parliamentary candidates in the run-up to the election in 2015.

www.atl.org.uk/shapeeducation