Labour's education promises give hope to Swindon schools

And now they are in power for the first time in 14 years, Swindon's schools and teachers are hoping they follow through.

The education system has been struggling for a long time, with issues such as teacher pay and retention, lack of funding and decaying buildings coming into fruition.

To help combat issues like these, new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his party are planning to recruit 6,500 more teachers in key subjects, and employ more mental health support staff and career advisers in every school. They are also looking to retain staff by reviewing bursaries and the curriculum. 

One teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, described the current state of schools, highlighting that it is becoming more common for classes to become combined, leading to a higher workload for staff with marking and behaviour management.  

They told the Advertiser: “On the weekends you do all your work as well which means you never actually get a break. Teachers burn out and don’t look after themselves mentally and physically.

“What is taking up all the teachers time is the extra stuff that comes with it, like pastoral care, dealing with parents, changing guidelines.

“Having more teachers in the system is going to help as it can help reduce workloads and people having to pick up the pieces”

Bazil Solomon, a former Conservative borough councillor who has also been a teacher for more than  25 years, previously highlighted the issues he has noticed within schools, referring to incidences of drugs and violence.

He said: "It doesn't matter which political party you are, we really need to get together and sort this thing out for the next generation.

"It's an incredible experience to be a teacher and when you see children and families growing up, it's powerful." 

The Park Academies Trust (TPAT) runs six Swindon schools - Lydiard Park Academy, Abbey Park School, Highworth Warneford School, Orchid Vale Primary School, Red Oaks Primary School, and Bridlewood Primary School. The Trust says it has worked tirelessly to improve all of its Swindon schools.

Lydiard Park Academy are one of Swindon's schools that are hopeful for the future (Image: Newsquest)

Following Labour's electoral victory, Gemma Piper, the CEO of TPAT, said: “It’s always welcome when a government promises to increase the number of teachers and invest in education.

“We know the new Education Secretary is very aware that budgets have been under pressure over the last few years and that many schools are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic. 

“So, we look forward to a new focus on not only boosting teacher numbers but other pressing issues including SEND provision, building repairs and pay for staff."

But not all teachers are sold, with some believing Labour will have to do more to really make a meaningful change. 

One teacher said: "Labour has said that they are going to make sure children are taught by someone with the correct qualifications, which teachers are.

"So there needs to be a focus on how to keep these teachers rather than finding new ones or potentially even insinuating those people currently working in schools aren’t doing a good enough job."