Teachers pass no confidence motion on Gove

Both men have failed to improve education or treat teachers, parents or pupils with respect, according to Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) delegates.

Jean Roberts, an ATL member said: “We want to send a clear message that we are saying enough is enough.”

The resolution at the ATL’s annual conference called for members to agree a vote of no confidence in Mr Gove and Sir Michael “in light of their abject failure to improve education or treat teachers, parents and pupils with respect”.

Speaking for the motion, Ms Roberts, from inner London, said: “We have no confidence in Mr Gove or Sir Michael Wilshaw. If any of us behaved to pupils as they have behaved to the profession we would have been sacked.”

However Jesse Ratcliff, from Lincolnshire, urged caution, saying ATL is a moderate union and suggested that members should wait until the next general election in 2015 to show their feelings.

The resolution was passed overwhelmingly by members attending the conference in Liverpool.

It is understood to be the first time that ATL has passed a resolution of no confidence in a Secretary of State.

Mr Gove has stoked teachers’ anger in the past year over his proposed changes to their pay and pensions, as well as major reforms to exams and the curriculum.

Teachers have also expressed concerns about Ofsted inspections, which they claim are hugely stressful. Speaking after the vote was passed, ATL general secretary Mary Bousted said: “Michael Gove and Sir Michael Wilshaw are like blood brothers, with a pact to suck the life and hope out of our education system and the teachers who work within it.”

Dr Bousted said teachers feel demoralised and “do not see the reality of Mr Gove and Sir Michael’s criticism and constant denigration in the work that they do”.

“When you’ve tried your hardest and you keep being ignored, then, in the end, you lose confidence and that’s what conference has overwhelmingly said today.”

A poll conducted by ATL yesterday found that more than nine in 10 (91 per cent) of education staff in England would rate Mr Gove’s performance as Education Secretary as a D or lower, grades which the union said would be classed as a “fail” in school league tables.

The survey, which questioned 996 ATL members, also reveals that about 60 per cent believe that Sir Michael should be put into “special measures” for his performance as chief inspector of Ofsted.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “For too long other countries have been outpacing us. We need to make sure we have an education system that is robust and rigorous, with exams and qualifications that match the world’s best. This ambition is surely something the ATL should be supporting. Good teaching is critical to the success of our education system and we are making sure that it is properly recognised.

“We have put in place measures specifically to support teachers through increased funding for disadvantaged pupils and better opportunities for professional development.

“We have significantly reduced bureaucracy, given more autonomy to schools than ever before and we are making sure good teaching can be better recognised through the pay system.”

An Ofsted spokeswoman said: “Ofsted is there to champion the right of all children and learners to a good education. That’s what parents want and that’s what young people deserve.

“Sir Michael has said from the outset any provision that is less than good is not acceptable. That’s a tough message, especially for those schools and colleges that have been coasting.”