Kevin Courtney elected NUT general secretary

The National Union of Teachers has elected Kevin Courtney as its twelfth general secretary.

Courtney takes over from Christine Blower, who served as the general secretary for seven years before stepping down in May 2016.

Responding to the appointment, Blower said: “I congratulate Kevin on his election and commend the members for electing him. Kevin will be a brilliant general secretary. He is a great campaigner for the kind of education service NUT members want and deserve. I wish him every success in leading the Union.”

Courtney said: “This is an extraordinary honour. General secretary of the NUT is one of the most important jobs in education and I am proud to be taking on that role. I will work tirelessly to achieve an education system that recognises all our children’s strengths and respects and recognises the incredible job that teachers do.

“I am fortunate to be inheriting from Christine Blower the leadership of a strong and growing Union. I am in no doubt, however, of the challenges ahead – not least the need to convince the Prime Minister and the new Education Secretary, Justine Greening, of the case both for proper investment in our education service, as opposed to the damaging cuts currently in place, and for urgent reform of the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 testing arrangements.”