The National Union of Teachers (NUT) published in September its Manifesto for the 2015 general election.“Stand Up for Education” makes a compelling case for an education system that works in the interests of all children. Attractive in its design and clear in its message, the Manifesto spells out the NUT’s concerns about today’s education system and makes powerful recommendations for a constructive way forward.

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the NUT, said: “The NUT’s Stand up for Education campaign has gained significant support from parents and the general public. We need to tackle child poverty and create a flexible and inclusive curriculum that benefits all.” She added: “Education must not be run for profit and we need to stop the fracturing of the school system through the free school and academies programme.”

The Manifesto also highlights the importance of Initial and Continued Teacher Education and stresses the NUT’s concern that staff without qualified teacher status are being employed to teach in academies and free schools. The Manifesto emphasises the importance of democracy in education and suggests that the power to plan and provide enough school places should be returned to local authorities. Teachers should be valued and trusted more, the Manifesto states, rather than being put under pressure to “teach to the test”, and teaching should once again be an attractive profession.

In the face of such a powerful document, clearly laying down such a coherent vision for the future, CSIE was surprised not to see a stronger call for including disabled children in ordinary local schools. In April 2014, at the NUT Conference in Brighton, members had voted to reiterate the NUT’s 2011 policy of “supporting inclusive education and developing disability equality in mainstream schools” and had instructed the NUT’s Executive to “campaign for a fully inclusive education system”.

The NUT has sent CSIE a copy of the manifesto and requested our reflections. Dr Artemi Sakellariadis, CSIE director, has sent the following statement: “CSIE unreservedly endorses the NUT’s Manifesto. It puts forward a compelling vision for education, backed up by coherent practical recommendations. Let us all try to make this vision a reality!”