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NEWS • VIEWS • INFORMATION • ADVICE


dates

Forthcoming conferences and seminars

NASUWT Consultation Conferences 2011/12

The NASUWT continues to be at the forefront of supporting and engaging with teachers from under-represented groups within the membership and the profession throughout the UK to ensure they have a voice and make a difference within education, the trade union movement and society.

At a time of rapid change and threats to public services, the highly popular annual Consultation Conferences give teachers the opportunity to have their say on the impact of the Coalition Government’s policies and explore the challenges facing them in the workplace. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their experiences and discuss key professional issues, as well as hear from high profile speakers.

Women Teachers’ Consultation Conference Saturday 1 October, Hilton Metropole, Birmingham

Black and Minority Ethnic Teachers’ Consultation Conference Saturday 3 December, Hilton Metropole, Birmingham

Young Teachers’ Consultation Conference Saturday 28 January, Hilton Metropole, Birmingham

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Teachers’ Consultation Conference Saturday 11 February 2012, Holiday Inn, Birmingham

Disabled Teachers’ Consultation Conference Saturday 16 June 2012, Hilton, Bromsgrove

The 2010 conferences were oversubscribed

BOOK NOW FOR 2011 TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

These events are FREE to NASUWT members and include travel, meals and overnight hotel accommodation, if required. There will be a social event during the evening prior to both functions, which will include an evening meal and networking opportunities.

To reserve your place, contact the NASUWT Conferences and Events Team on 0121 453 6150, email conferencesandevents@mail.nasuwt.org.uk or book online at www.nasuwt.org.uk. Not a Member? Join the NASUWT now and attend the conference or seminar FREE. Quick, easy, no hassle. Tel. 0121 457 6211 or join online at www.nasuwt.org.uk.


Action urged on damaging sexualisation of children

The NASUWT has urged the Prime Minister to go further in tackling the growing ‘culture of sexualisation’ that it argues is damaging childhood and justifying violence against women and girls.

The Government has agreed a series of measures to tackle concerns about the increasing exposure of children and young people to sexualised imagery, following an independent review by Reg Bailey, Chief Executive of the Mothers’ Union.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, has put her name to a letter to David Cameron from the End Violence Against Women coalition, welcoming the move but urging further action to protect young people from violence and promote greater gender equality.

The Government has welcomed Mr Bailey’s call for age restrictions to be placed on music videos and for it to be easier to block adult content from computers and smart phones. It has agreed that the covers should be placed over the front pages of ‘lad’s mags’ so they are not in easy sight of children and that a code of practice be created to ensure clothes and products aimed at children are age-appropriate.

The Government proposes to introduce a system of voluntary regulation, to be reviewed in 18 months time, but the letter argues that legislation is the only way to ensure businesses and broadcasters will do the right thing and act on the recommendations in the Bailey Review.

The NASUWT has also submitted evidence to the Bailey Review explaining that teachers are seeing a narrowing of girls' aspirations and achievements caused by an increasing emphasis on femininity and beauty, while the ‘pornification’ of society sends worrying messages to boys and men about how they view girls and women.

The Union told Mr Bailey that it fears that moves by the Coalition Government to narrow the curriculum risks compromising efforts to counter sexualisation, arguing that education is vital in raising the confidence, selfesteem and aspirations of young girls.

Read the full submission made by the NASUWT to the Bailey Review at www.nasuwt.org.uk/BaileyReview