National Association of Head Teachers

National Association of Head Teachers. The National Association of Head Teachers is a trade union that represents head teachers and other school leaders in the United Kingdom, including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. It was founded in 1897 and has since become a prominent voice in education policy, working closely with organizations such as the Department for Education, Ofsted, and the National College for School Leadership. The association has also collaborated with other trade unions, including the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, to advocate for the interests of school leaders and teachers.

● History

The National Association of Head Teachers has a long and storied history, dating back to 1897 when it was founded by a group of head teachers who sought to improve the working conditions and professional status of school leaders. Over the years, the association has played a significant role in shaping education policy in the United Kingdom, working with governments such as the Conservative Party, Labour Party, and Liberal Democrats to promote the interests of school leaders and teachers. The association has also worked closely with other organizations, including the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency, Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, and the National Foundation for Educational Research, to develop and implement education policies and curricula. Notable figures such as Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and David Cameron have engaged with the association, as have prominent educators like Diane Abbott, Estelle Morris, and Ruth Kelly.

● Organisation

The National Association of Head Teachers is a democratic organization, with a national executive that is elected by its members. The association has a number of regional offices and local branches, which provide support and representation to members across the United Kingdom. The association is also affiliated with the Trades Union Congress and the European Trade Union Committee for Education, and works closely with other trade unions and professional associations, such as the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers and the Association of School and College Leaders. The association's head office is located in London, and it has a number of full-time officials, including a General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary, who work to promote the interests of members and develop education policy. Key partners include the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and the Institute of Education.

● Membership

The National Association of Head Teachers has a membership of over 28,000 head teachers and other school leaders, making it one of the largest and most influential trade unions in the United Kingdom. Members come from a wide range of schools and educational settings, including primary schools, secondary schools, and special schools. The association represents members in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, and has a number of regional offices and local branches that provide support and representation to members. Members have included notable educators such as Michael Gove, Nick Gibb, and Tristram Hunt, as well as prominent school leaders like Sir Michael Wilshaw and Sally Coates. The association also works closely with other organizations, such as the National Governors' Association and the Local Government Association, to promote the interests of school governors and local authorities.

● Policy_and_Campaigns

The National Association of Head Teachers has a number of key policy areas, including teacher workload, school funding, and pupil wellbeing. The association has campaigned on a range of issues, including the introduction of academies, the reform of GCSEs and A-levels, and the implementation of the national curriculum. The association has also worked to promote the interests of school leaders and teachers, including through its workload campaign and its support for mental health initiatives. The association has collaborated with other organizations, such as the Royal Society for Public Health and the Mental Health Foundation, to promote pupil wellbeing and teacher mental health. Notable campaigns have included the Save Our Schools campaign, the Fair Funding for Schools campaign, and the Reduce Teacher Workload campaign, which have involved partnerships with organizations like the National Union of Students and the Parents and Teachers Association.

● General_Secretaries

The National Association of Head Teachers has had a number of General Secretaries over the years, including Brenda Despontin, David Hart, and Russell Hobby. The current General Secretary is Paul Whiteman, who has been in post since 2017. The General Secretary is responsible for leading the association and promoting its policy agenda, and works closely with other trade unions and professional associations to advocate for the interests of school leaders and teachers. Previous General Secretaries have worked with notable figures such as Neil Kinnock, Ken Clarke, and Charles Clarke to shape education policy and promote the interests of school leaders.

● International_Relations

The National Association of Head Teachers has a number of international links and partnerships, including with the European Trade Union Committee for Education and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The association has also worked with other international organizations, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Bank, to promote education development and school leadership around the world. The association has collaborated with organizations like the Commonwealth Secretariat and the British Council to support education initiatives in countries such as Australia, Canada, and South Africa. The association's international work has included partnerships with notable organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Varkey Foundation, as well as collaborations with prominent educators like Andreas Schleicher and Pasi Sahlberg.

Category:Trade unions in the United Kingdom