CUMBRIAN teachers are setting the national education agenda.

Graham Frost, headteacher of Robert Ferguson Primary School in Carlisle, used his platform at the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) conference to table two motions that would bring changes for students across the country.

Mr Frost’s motions to make the key stage two spelling and grammar tests optional, and to provide greater support and guidance for schools on teaching climate change were unanimously accepted by the NAHT.

The unanimous votes mean that the NAHT will spend the next year campaigning to make the tests, which he believes are damaging to teaching practice, non-compulsory.

The association will also be “providing guidance on climate change” and support to help children write letters that pressurise policy-makers into taking action.

He believes that children need to be more aware of the technology and the science that will lead to a zero-emissions society.

His motion will also give support to teachers who may be uncertain of the science behind climate change, or even how to answer any questions that children may have.

At the conference, Mr Frost tabled the first fringe meeting for rural and small schools which had a “fantastic turn-out” despite taking place at the very end of the day.

Headteachers from smaller communities were invited to join the meeting to discuss the issues facing them.

They established a working party “to investigate and explore the specific needs of rural schools,” Mr Frost said.

“The plan is to get to the crux of what can be done to better these schools.”

Such issues that the group discussed include the impact that a small shift in pupil numbers can have on rural schools, and issues with the allocation of funding.

Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, opened the conference with a speech where he praised the determination of members despite the financial troubles facing schools across the country.

He said: “Not only do you carry on, but you find solutions and push for improvement. You don’t just throw criticism from the sidelines you take part; you step up.”

It was a successful weekend for Mr Frost who said that “it went really well,” and that he was “delighted” with the results.

Last month he successfully organised Cumbria’s first Youth Climate Summit which was received well by campaigners, schools, and children across the county.

This success has led to other headteachers following Mr Frost’s lead.

“Moves are afoot,” to introduce similar youth climate summits across the country. Schools in Gloucestershire, Hampshire and Cheshire have indicated an interest in setting up a summit.

The conference took place from Friday to Sunday.