Keynote 2: John Bangs, Assistant Secretary, National Union of Teachers

John Bangs started his teaching career in Tower Hamlets in 1972, having graduated in Fine Arts from Reading University and gaining his PGCE at Goldsmiths College, London. From 1975 to 1990 he taught at a special school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties where he was responsible for Art, Ceramics and Literacy. He was a teacher member for the Inner London Education Authority with responsibility for special educational needs. He joined the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in 1990 as the Officer responsible for special needs and for the English National Curriculum and its assessment.

In 1993 he was appointed Assistant Secretary (Education/Equal Opportunities). His department covers all areas of education and equal opportunities policy. These policies not only include the National Curriculum and its assessment and special education but school improvement, evaluation and inspection, gender and race equality, pupil behaviour and 14-19 education. He is responsible for the NUT's Professional Development programme. The Privatisation in Education unit is based in John's department.

His department is responsible for the NUT's international work. He is a regular and active member of the OECD's Trade Union Advisory Committee and has worked closely with the OECD and the British Government on the OECD PISA reports.