Page 6

Upfront

Every teacher matters

Around 130 black teachers gathered at Stoke Rochford Hall in Lincolnshire from 6 to 8 November for the union’s annual black teachers’ conference.

This year’s theme was ‘Every teacher matters’, and speakers included Princess Moss of the US National Educational Association (NEA), London headteacher Paramjit Bhutta, NUT general secretary Christine Blower and the union’s past president Baljeet Ghale.

Delegates had the opportunity to network, discuss issues of common concern and attend workshops ranging from how to become more involved in the union to the benefits of coaching for black teachers. They also debated a motion to send to the NUT’s 2010 annual conference, eventually deciding to take forward a motion on discrimination and harrassment.

NEA Executive member Princess told delegates about issues facing teachers in the United States in comparison to the UK. She spoke of the relationship between her union and the new Obama administration, including positive aspects and some of the challenges.

In a stirring speech, Baljeet Ghale drew attention to issues of race inequality in schools during an economic recession. She called on teachers to work together to stop the far right from dividing people in Britain. The conference concluded with delegates paying tribute to Baljeet for her years of work ensuring that anti-racism remains a strong focus of the union’s activities.

PICTURE CAPTION: Conference delegates compare notes in the orangery at Stoke Rochford.


Early years funding formula delayed

Early years teachers received an early Christmas present on 10 December when Dawn Primarolo, Minister for Children, announced that the introduction of the Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF) would be postponed for a year until April 2011.

The NUT has been concerned about the government’s plans to move to a single funding formula for all types of early years provision because it is most likely to reduce funding in the maintained sector. Some nursery schools have reported potential cuts of up to £150,000 a year – which would inevitably mean closure – as a result of the new way of funding early years.

The government, however, remains committed to the EYSFF and says the additional year should be used to ensure it is introduced in an appropriate way. Local authorities will be able to apply to the Department for Children Schools and Families to continue with the introduction of the EYSFF from April 2010 if they believe they are ready to do so. They will then become part of the EYSFF pathfinder programme, which currently involves nine local authorities.

NUT divisions and early years members have been actively fighting EYSFF proposals in a number of areas to protect high quality nursery provision, as well as the jobs of teachers and support staff. The NUT nationally has also been lobbying to persuade the government that the EYSFF does not take into account all of the statutory costs that apply to maintained nursery schools. The union is currently surveying early years members about their experiences of the EYSFF and is using the information provided to alert the government to the unintended consequences of its latest policy initiative.

The NUT is urging local authorities not to introduce the EYSFF in April 2010. Instead they should use the additional year to refine the proposals they have developed on the new formula, to ensure that funding for maintained nursery schools is sufficient to meet all their costs.

Further information and advice on the EYSFF is available from the NUT website at www.teachers.org.uk – go to ‘School Sector Policy’ and then ‘Early years’.
If you work in early years and would like to take part in the NUT survey, email k.robinson@nut.org.uk for a copy of the questionnaire.


Tackling taboos
Shami Chakrabati, director of human rights group Liberty, was among the speakers at a one-day NUT CPD conference held at Hamilton House on 27 November. The event, entitled Learning to give an inch – dealing with controversial, contested and taboo subjects, was held in conjunction with SAPERE: Communities of Enquiry, an education charity that promotes philosophical enquiry among children and communities. Shami spoke about her understanding of human rights, using examples within and beyond schools. She identified skills that teachers might nurture in young people to enable them to make their case and stand up for what they think is right.

The NUT is also working with Liberty in challenging aspects of the government's new vetting and barring scheme – see page 21.

PICTURE CAPTION: Shami with Richard Stainton, co-ordinator of the NUT’s CPD programme.