I WOULD like to put the record straight on a number of points in your analysis of the teacher unions (TES, April 21).
The membership of Professional Association of Teachers has not “lost ground” but is rising. It includes not only increasing numbers of “teachers, heads and lecturers” but also deputy heads, nursery nurses, classroom assistants and other child carers.
As your aticle says, “industrial action may encourage ministers to show how tough they are” and PAT’s success results largely from its policy of quiet negotiationrather than noisy confrontation. New members are attracted by our professional approach, personal service and “whole team” attitude.
Kay Driver
General secretary
Professional Association of Teachers
Derby