Want to influence what will happen to schools before the next initiative is dumped on you? Want to have a real say over matters such as behaviour, inspections and the curriculum? Few teachers take advantage of the official consultations that are carried out, even though the internet has made it easier than ever to submit responses.

We’ve launched this page for teachers who want to make their voices heard. Cynics often argue that consultations are hollow exercises, but the responses to official consultations have to be counted. And the more teachers who make their views clear, the more likely they may - one day - get what they want.

Below are some of the latest consultations, which we have divided into: School-wide; Curriculum and inspections. We’ve also added links to the latest school-related petitions to Downing Street. Let us know if we have missed anything by emailing letters@tes.co.uk

Bookmark this page to check what consultations are currently open and how you can contribute.

School-wide

• Drugs: guidance for schools
  Closing: Febuary 15, 2010
  What do you think of the draft document, Drugs: Guidance for schools?The document is aimed at all staff, particularly senior managers and those responsible for teaching and coordinating drug education.
  
• Recording and reporting incidents of bullying between pupils and abuse against school staff
  Closing: March 4, 2010
  Aims to gather views on bullying and staff grievance issues, on the scope of these new duties, and how best to support schools in England in implementing them.
  
• Information passports, personal learning plans and the core entitlement for pupils in Pupil Referral Units
  Closing: March 4, 2010)
  The statutory guidance for schools, setting out the Government’s expectations in these key areas, is out for consultation.
  
• Referring pupils to off-site premises to improve behaviour
  Closing: March 4 2010
  Governing bodies have the power to require a pupil to attend premises outside the school for the purpose of improving behaviour. The Secretary of State also has the power to impose restrictions on governing bodies exercising this power. This is a consultation on these regulations.
  
• Pupils’ views
  Closing: March 29, 2010
  Give your view on newregulations that outline which areas governing bodies must consider their pupils’ views.
  
• Pupil and parent guarantees
  Closing: April 6, 2010
  The guarantees aim to ensure that parents and pupils know what they can expect from schools and what their own responsibilities are. Are the requirements clear?

• See the full list of DCSF consultations

  Curriculum

  No consultations currenlty live

  See the full list of Ofqual consultations

  See the full list of Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency consultations

  Inspections

  No consultations currenlty live

  See the full list of Ofsted consultations

  Petitions

  We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to.

  • Reinstate the compulsory teaching of modern foreign languages up to the age of 16. (closing: May 7, 2010)
    “We believe that all school students deserve to gain an understanding of the world outside these shores and a chance to communicate with others.”
    
  • Push for school science technicians to get a better rate of pay (closing: March 6 2010)
    “Initiatives in the pipeline to increase the number of pupils taking separate Sciences will have a considerable knock on effect on the workload of technicians.”
    
  • Make political education compulsory at primary and secondary schools(closing: May 18 2010)
    “We believe that the absence of this education has caused an apathy towards politics which could threaten this country’s democracy, and that a better education would lead to a higher voter turnout.”
    
  • Abolish the 16 month limit for non-inductible supply teaching (closing: September 10, 2010)
    
  • Empower children with SEN to have access to all schools which meet their needs (closing: March 28 2010)
    “There should be an end to the post code lottery and ineptitude of Local Authorities refusing children with SEN access to excellent specialist schools where they can get appropriate help for their needs.”
    
  • Support the Cambridge Primary Review and for children to start formal schooling at 6 (closing: May 19 2010)
    “Children start school too young. This particularly appears to effect summer birthdays and boys.”
    
  • Abolish Ofsted (closing:May 5 2010)
    “There is no proof to show that Ofsted has done anything to raise standards in schools since its inception. Its work serves to demoralise teachers and put unecessary stress on schools”.

  • See all the Downing Street education related petitions