New NAHT president outlines urgent action for children

Angi Gibson, who takes over as the NAHT’s president from September, will demand action for children in the face of a crisis in education, at the union's annual conference in Harrogate today (Fri 2nd May).
 
“One chance. One future,” she will say. “Every child gets one shot at education. One. And every single day in school is a step along that path.
 
“That’s why everything we do must be built around helping them thrive – not just academically, but emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
 
“We have to help children see beyond their circumstances. Beyond their postcode. Beyond the limits that society may place on them.”
 
Speaking about the strength and values instilled by her family and working-class background – as well as her non-traditional route into teaching, having started out in engineering – Miss Gibson will pledge to tackle the crisis facing education with action rather than just words:
 
“I left a secure career and took a huge pay cut to step into the world of education – because I realised something was missing. I needed to do something that truly mattered.
 
“And even on the hardest days in school – where we wear the hats of firefighters, counsellors, cheerleaders, and crisis managers – we show up. Because our children need us to. And because we believe that education changes everything.
 
“Let’s not pretend everything’s fine. Across the UK, education is under pressure like never before. We face a recruitment and retention crisis. Budgets are stretched to breaking point. The accountability system is broken. Mental health needs are escalating. And too many of our school buildings are quite simply not fit for purpose.
 
“That’s why this presidency won’t be about nice words or photo ops. It will be about action. Because our profession deserves better. Our staff deserve better. And our children – all of our children – deserve the very best.”
 
Miss Gibson will list six urgent priorities for education, that NAHT will be pushing government to take action on over the coming year:
 
   1.    Inspection and Accountability – Building a culture of growth, not fear.
   2.    Pay and Funding – Valuing the people who shape our future.
   3.    Recruitment and Retention – Creating environments people want to stay in.
   4.    School Buildings and Estates – Safe, modern, inspiring learning spaces.
   5.    SEND – Proper support for every child who needs it.
   6.    Workload and Well-being – Ensuring our educators can thrive, not just survive.
 
“These aren’t wish lists,” she will say. “These are non-negotiables. Because the future of education depends on them. To make sure no child, anywhere in this country, is left behind.”
 
Miss Gibson has chosen Family Gateway, a charity based in Howdon, Wallsend, as the charity to be supported by NAHT during her presidential year: “Family Gateway is a charity that is very close to the community my school serves,” she said. “I consider it a privilege to support the vital work they do with families in our area. Their commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty through early intervention and family-focused support has a lasting impact across the region and makes a real difference every day.”