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Teachers jeer children's minister Teachers jeer children's minister
(40 minutes later)
Teachers at a conference have jeered a minister after she talked about league tables and tests in schools.Teachers at a conference have jeered a minister after she talked about league tables and tests in schools.
The flashpoint involved Children's Minister Beverley Hughes at the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) conference, in Liverpool.The flashpoint involved Children's Minister Beverley Hughes at the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) conference, in Liverpool.
During a question-and-answer session, she said teaching was a great job, but was jeered again by a large proportion of the teachers in the hall.During a question-and-answer session, she said teaching was a great job, but was jeered again by a large proportion of the teachers in the hall.
Ms Hughes said she was welcomed but "there will be differences of views". Ms Hughes denied being jeered but said "there will be differences of views".
She denied that she had been jeered and said there had been "a very constructive discussion". Rona Tutt, a delegate from Hertfordshire, had asked the minister what she was going to do to reform the "test-ridden education system".
Ms Hughes responded by saying headteachers' views were important "but it's not the only perspective".
'Constructive discussion'
She said: "The views of parents are also important."
However, the remark provoked noisy protests from the conference as delegates interrupted the minister with shouting and jeering.
The minister said: "Let me finish. I'm sure you will do me the courtesy of letting me finish."
And Ms Hughes told delegates that parents and the public wanted test results and tables to show how pupils and schools were performing.
However, delegates repeatedly shouted "No" at the minister during the following questions and answers, with one person calling out "rubbish".
Later, the minister denied being jeered and said there had been "a very constructive discussion".
Where testing was concerned, the minister said: "We are not going to take away the ability of parents to know how their children are doing."Where testing was concerned, the minister said: "We are not going to take away the ability of parents to know how their children are doing."
Well-being dutyWell-being duty
The issue of Ofsted inspections was also raised. In an interview with the BBC, the issue of Ofsted inspections was raised.
Research by the NAHT suggests Ofsted inspection pressures deter talented teachers from taking on the top jobs in schools.Research by the NAHT suggests Ofsted inspection pressures deter talented teachers from taking on the top jobs in schools.
A survey of 500 members found 86% thought the impact of Ofsted meant potential head teachers were put off applying.A survey of 500 members found 86% thought the impact of Ofsted meant potential head teachers were put off applying.
Ms Hughes said next year "Ofsted will be consulting with schools about how we can make progress in terms of the regime", such as using shorter tests.Ms Hughes said next year "Ofsted will be consulting with schools about how we can make progress in terms of the regime", such as using shorter tests.
She said she wants the inspections to be less "narrow" in order to reflect all aspects of schools, such as their "well-being duty" where efforts are made to ensure that children "stay healthy".She said she wants the inspections to be less "narrow" in order to reflect all aspects of schools, such as their "well-being duty" where efforts are made to ensure that children "stay healthy".
"I want to see schools rewarded for those activities, so we will be looking to see how far the inspection regime can reflect what schools are already doing," said the minister."I want to see schools rewarded for those activities, so we will be looking to see how far the inspection regime can reflect what schools are already doing," said the minister.