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New NUT President
Transforming lives
Janey Hulme talks to the next NUT President, Marilyn Harrop, a lifelong Union member.
Recovering from neurosurgery, incoming President Marilyn Harrop declares: “I’m a product of the state education system and the NHS, and proud to be taking on the role of president of our great Union.”
‘Education has the power to transform lives’ was Marilyn’s mantra when running for the vice-presidency. This echoes her life-long belief, inculcated in her by her father, who was himself a committed teacher.
“My father, the youngest son of a miner, attended grammar school, later training to be a teacher,” she explains.
Born in County Durham, Marilyn taught in Sunderland full time for 36 years and now does part-time supply. Her first job was in a large council estate infant school, teaching a reception class of 39 pupils.
With a keen interest in promoting performing arts she is able to develop skills of self-expression with pupils and has organised many productions and theatre outings.
Joining the NUT in 1972 when she began her PGCE course, Marilyn became active in her local association, Sunderland, and she counts herself fortunate that her first two head teachers were NUT members.
“The first local meeting I remember was a tea meeting for NQTs – a genteel affair with scones and sandwiches. From this time I associated the NUT with good food, good company and good advice!”
Marilyn’s advice to any young teacher uncertain about becoming a school rep is to start by being the person opening and displaying NUT mail, raising the Union’s profile and gaining confidence to become more involved. She became a rep when teaching at New Silksworth Junior School, and since that time has been an officer in her local association.
In her presidential year, Marilyn will be pushing for a fairer deal for all pupils and teachers, reversing the trend of more resources for the few at the expense of the many.
“Every attack on the state education system affects the future of our children. Whether through job losses, school closures or the attack on pensions, all this affects the most vulnerable in society, limiting children’s life chances.”
“Teaching is about educating the whole child and I’d like to see teachers given more respect for their professional judgement, freedom from gratuitous government interference and more scope to deal with the whole child again, rather than being pressured into chasing exam success.”
Like most teachers Marilyn’s had her fair share of laughs with her pupils. Once, investigating with a Y5 class the problems some countries have in securing a safe water supply, Marilyn helped the pupils prepare a glossary of words likely to arise in the topic.
“What’s bowls?” one child asked.
“A deep dish you can mix Yorkshire puddings in, or a game of bowls,” suggested Marilyn.
The child looked puzzled. The word on his card was bowels.
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