Page 10

Upfront

NUT Cymru backs supply teachers

 NUT Cymru has opposed Newport City Council’s decision to drop its supply teacher list and require schools to use agencies. 

 David Evans, Secretary of NUT Cymru, said: “This is another in the long line of authorities that undervalue supply teachers’ rights to fair pay and equal treatment.”

He underlined the NUT’s commitment to protecting teachers’ pay and conditions, including agency staff’s access to appropriate rates of pay, CPD and pensions.

David pledged to raise the issues with Wales Education Minister Leighton Andrews.

Seevic staff strike to save salaries

NUT members at Seevic College in Benfleet, Essex, took strike action on 7 July in protest over unacceptable salary protection for staff who will lose pay following a restructure.

The NUT does not oppose the restructure, but expects reasonable pay protection to cushion the impact on staff affected. Just one term’s protection has been offered, with two more terms’ reduced protection for staff who will suffer the greatest loss. The maximum loss will be over £10,000 a year. Teachers in schools would automatically get three years’ full protection.

Jerry Glazier, NUT Division Secretary for Essex, said: “This strike was caused by the college’s unwillingness to negotiate properly and act fairly. We remain willing to negotiate a settlement… But if no solution is found, more strikes will take place in the autumn.”

Teachers at Gedling say no to bullying

Teachers at Gedling School, Nottinghamshire, took strike action on 21 July and picketed outside the school in protest at the long-standing culture of management bullying.

Of 38 teaching staff, 21 NUT members stayed away from work. Rob Illingworth, Young Teachers’ Rep for Nottinghamshire NUT, said excessive workload and inadequate management support had been a problem for about two years.

He explained: “I have done more work supporting staff in this school over the last year than in all the rest of the schools I deal with. It is clear that the concerns about the culture of management at the school are affecting provision for students as well as the morale and effectiveness of staff.”

Tackling Islamophobia

 South Gloucestershire NUT is hosting a conference on Saturday 2 October entitled Tackling Islamophobia in the classroom.

The free event will explore approaches to the issue, with a view to publishing materials to support schools. It will be opened by NUT General Secretary Christine Blower.

The venue is Abbey Road Community School, near Bristol Parkway Station. For further information email Paul Vernell at secretary@sglos.nut.org.uk.

Celebrating diversity

Stoke Newington School, a long-time trailblazer in equality education, is opening a diversity training centre for teachers.

The Hackney school has celebrated Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) history month each February since 2005. Now it is sharing good practice with, and encouraging debate among, the wider teaching community.

The first event at the new centre on 14 October, entitled Educate and Celebrate, will be led by NUT member Elly Barnes. It will provide advice, resources and ideas on making schools more LGBT-friendly. For details contact Elly on 020 7241 9653 or at elly.barnes@sns. hackney.school.uk.

Half a century of service

A Maidenhead teacher has celebrated 50 years of service to the NUT.

John Sheppard is former Berkshire NUT Chair, and currently President and Retired Members’ Secretary of Windsor and Maidenhead Division.

His achievements were celebrated at a dinner this summer, to which John was transported in a 1936 Riley.

Rejecting racism

The NUT and East Kent Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) held a banner-painting competition for the East Kent LMHR festival in Margate on 11 September, with local schools and student groups taking part. Pictured are members of Canterbury Christ Church University NUT Student Society painting their banner, with NUT Organiser Andrew Robbins.