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Upfront

Scholars head for the States

Congratulations to NUT members Sarah Hovington and Annette Pateman who have been awarded the two NUT Walter Hines Page/English Speaking Union scholarships for 2010.

Annette, a supply teacher, will make a comparative study of the terms and conditions of supply teachers in the USA, looking at how schools manage the absence of science teachers. Sarah, an early years co-ordinator, will study early years education in Massachusetts elementary schools (read a report in the NUT primary and pre-school supplement with the September/October edition of The Teacher).

Want to study in the US in 2011?

The scholarship is awarded each year to two NUT members. Scholars travel to the States for two weeks, with US English Speaking Union branches covering accommodation and food. A discretionary NUT award is available to pay for supply cover.

For details on how to apply, call Angela Bush on 020 7380 4704 or email a.bush@nut.org.uk.

Hednesford says NO to academy

Hundreds of pupils, teachers and members of the community in Hednesford, Staffordshire, have voiced their opposition to council plans to open an academy.

The Chase ‘NO’ Academies campaign has advertised in local papers, held street stalls, organised a petition and leafleted the community to force the council to have a public debate. In May nearly 100 people attended a meeting at Hednesford football club, where they were addressed by speakers from the NUT and other education unions.

Kevin Courtney, NUT deputy general secretary, told The Teacher: “Campaigns such as this demonstrate that parents, pupils and teachers do not want their local schools turned into academies.

“There has been universal dismay at the government’s announcement that it will be stepping up the academies programme. This is a retrograde step leading to social division and planning gridlock. At a time when we are being told that the Treasury coffers are bare, it is also a vast waste of money.”

Black members make a difference

The north west region ran its first conference for black and minority ethnic (BME) teachers in Bolton in May. It opened with Rena Wood, of Unison, who explained how black members organise in their union.

There were sessions on issues facing BME teachers, and how to get more involved in the NUT. Many delegates made new friends, decided to become school reps and expressed interest in setting up a north west black members’ network.

Keynote speaker Roger King, NUT executive member and chair of the union’s race advisory committee, commented: “Participants were enthused and motivated to get involved and make a difference. Thanks to regional secretary Avis Gilmore for organising the conference.”

Unity in the community

NUT members were among the 5,000 who took to the streets of Tower Hamlets, east London, on 20 June in protest at an English Defence League rally. The fascist group abandoned the march in the face of the stiff opposition, which was coordinated by Unite Against Fascism and United East End. NUT placards read ‘Unity in the community’ and ‘Celebrate our diversity’ as part of the union’s ongoing campaign to keep racism and fascism out of education.

Debating disability

The 2010 NUT disabled teachers’ conference, held at Hamilton House on 12 June, attracted more members than ever before.

Conference themes included the new ‘fit to work’ scheme and disability equality in the curriculum. Delegates debated a motion on disability equality, to go to next year’s NUT annual conference. 

Speakers included Richard Rieser, of World of Inclusion, NUT general secretary Christine Blower, head of employment conditions and rights Amanda Brown, and senior vice president Marilyn Harrop.

If you have a mental or physical health condition and would like information on future disabled teachers’ conferences, or would like to join the disabled members’ network, email s.sarkar@nut.org.uk.