Page 9

Upfront

Challenging homophobia in the north west

On International Day Against Homophobia, 17 May, the NUT launched several surveys into homophobia in schools.

NUT divisions across the north west had carried out the surveys. Liverpool, Oldham, Salford and Blackburn with Darwen NUT divisions all published results to add to those released by Blackpool NUT in February.

Together the studies show that nearly all teachers see or hear evidence of homophobia among pupils, and over half have been on the receiving end themselves. Many called for training to make schools safer and more inclusive.

Speaking at the Blackburn with Darwen launch, NUT division secretary and executive member Simon Jones commended the union’s initiatives to combat homophobia in schools.

“Teachers are rightly proud of our work and collective ambition to educate, address and correct ignorance and bigotry,” he said.

Copies of the surveys are available at www.schools-out.org.uk/research/contents.htm.

Defending teachers’ jobs

Fifteen NUT members closed Clifton Primary School in Southall on 26 May when they took strike action in protest over the sacking of three colleagues.

Ethnic minority achievement teachers Rosemary Dawes and Barbara Williams and peripatetic teacher Rachpal Bilkhu were sacked after long negotiations with governors. The school plans to give their work to unqualified assistants from September 2010.

Ealing Council is also trying to avoid paying redundancy money, claiming that other available jobs are acceptable alternatives. NUT compromises have so far been rebuffed.

Nick Grant, Ealing NUT division secretary, said: “I know of no other Ealing school that has ever tried to make redundancies like this. There is no budget deficit and no curriculum restructure. Teachers want to let the local community know what their school is losing in making such redundancies.”

A Claisse act!

Residents of Peter Kennedy Court, a Teachers’ Housing Association scheme in Croydon, recently bid farewell to their liaison officer, Len Claisse. An NUT executive member in the 1970s, Len has since supported tenants and staff at Peter Kennedy Court for 23 years. He will be much missed.

The Teachers’ Housing Association provides housing for teachers in London and for retired teachers in sheltered accommodation throughout England. For further information, call 020 7440 9440 or visit www.teachershousing.org.uk.

NUT friends in high places

A week after the May elections, MPs Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) and Gavin Shuker (Luton South) joined Luton NUT division members at their general meeting, held in the town’s Pizza Express restaurant.

Both MPs have NUT links through their families, and they praised the work of Luton’s teachers. Kelvin expressed his opposition to SATs and to academies run by profit-making companies. Gavin stressed the teacher’s role in improving social equality. Both said they would like to see free university education for all.

Scarborough school in fine voice

Scarborough’s Gladstone Road Infant School is celebrating winning two awards for its singing provision.

The school, whose head teacher is NUT executive member Anne Swift, has been awarded Platinum status by Sing Up, the Music Manifesto’s singing programme. It has also been made a Beacon School by music education charity the Voices Foundation – one of just 15 schools nationally to achieve this status.

In 2009, the school embarked on a 15-month music education programme. Every teacher was taught how to help pupils develop musicianship skills through singing.