Responding to Keir Starmer's pledge that a Labour government would smash the 'class ceiling' and reform education, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“A child’s background should never determine their opportunities in life, but inequalities have been exacerbated over the last decade by funding cuts to schools and other public services, the pandemic, and now the cost of living crisis. It is therefore positive to see that Labour will put tackling inequality at the heart of their education policy.

"There is no doubt that schools can play a vital role in helping children to thrive no matter what their background, but they need the appropriate resources to do so. Fixing the current recruitment and retention crisis has to be an urgent priority and it is essential that the next government makes teaching and school leadership an attractive proposition once again and gets to grips with the factors driving so many out of the profession.

“However, inequalities are deeply entrenched in society, and if these ambitions are to be fulfilled, significant additional investment will be needed not only in education, which has been neglected for too long, but also in community support for families including everything from mental health services to social care. It is right to have high ambitions, but schools must have the resources they need if they are to play their part in delivering on them.”

After hearing more details of Labour's plans this morning, including for the curriculum, Paul Whiteman added: “It is good to see Labour fleshing out their plans for education should they win the next election.

"There is much here that we would welcome, including the strong focus on recruitment and retention of teachers and leaders, better mental health and support services for young people, and a commitment to reform the current inspection regime. We also welcome the proposed curriculum and assessment review, and we stand ready to contribute to any such review.

"A renewed focus on a genuinely broad and balanced curriculum is something to welcome. There is no doubt we have seen a narrowing of the curriculum under the current government and school leaders will support a fresh approach.

“Many of these proposals have the potential to have a positive impact on schools if they are carefully implemented in collaboration with the profession. For too long, school leaders and teachers have felt that education policy has been done to them, rather than with them, and a change of approach would be extremely welcome.

“We cannot escape the fundamental truth that a world-class education system requires sufficient funding and resources. The cuts to school funding over the last decade have done serious damage and it’s crucial that the next government commits to increasing investment over the long-term.”