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Contents

Welcome

The extent of the Government attack on state education is becoming clear. Funding to local authorities will be cut by 28 per cent over four years - devastating news for NUT members employed in central education services, and for the children, families and schools they support. Read more on page 12.

The Government has also admitted it can no longer honour its pledge to increase frontline education spending in real terms. And its 'pupil premium' for the poorest students has been set at a paltry £430 per child per year - a fraction of the £2,500 promised in the LibDems' election manifesto.

Meanwhile, the near-trebling of university tuition fees and abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance (both page 6) will put further and higher education beyond the means of many young people. Far from being "fair and progressive" (the words of Government Minister Vince Cable), this will be catastrophic for social justice and for the economy.

The Government's partial U-turn over the abolition of school sports funding (page 5) shows that vigorous campaigning can make a difference. If you're angry about education cuts, please take action. Write to your MP, sign petitions, take part in protests, and join us at the TUC's national demonstration on 26 March. Find out more on page 5.

Elyssa Campbell-Barr Editor

Features

12 The real cost of education cuts

 Government spending cuts are having a devastating impact on central education services. Four teachers share their stories.

15 Stand up for your pension

 Andrew Morris urges you to defend the Teachers' Pension Scheme and stop government plans to make you pay more, work longer and get less.

20 Take control of planning

 Unreasonable planning demands cause intolerable workload burdens. Sarah Lyons has advice.

24 Blowing the trumpet for local schools

 A new group is championing local state schools. Fiona Millar asks for your input.

26 Back to the future?

The new education white paper harks back 100 years, argues Emily Evans.

31 Back in action

 Lorna Taylor offers some practical advice on taking care of your back.

36 Teaching in the 21st century

The judges' pick of your entries to the NUT's 140th anniversary photo competition.

43 How we did it: sport for all

Needham Market Middle School won the 'state school of the year' title at the 2010 School Sport Matters Awards. PE teacher Jessica Finbow reveals why.

50 Backbeat: love your library

A lifelong love of books begins in school and public libraries, says novelist Malorie Blackman. We must protect them from government cuts.

Regulars

04 Upfront

11 International

16 Your Union

22 Ask the Union

28 Teachnology

32 Learning with the NUT

38 Reviews

41 Noticeboard

44 Staffroom confidential

46 Letters

President: Gill Goodswen General Secretary: Christine Blower Deputy General Secretary: Kevin Courtney Editor: Elyssa Campbell-Barr Journalist: Janey Hulme Administration: Maryam Hulme Editorial support: Peta Lunberg Design templates: Home

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