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Upfront

Showing prejudices the red card

Over 600 schools in England took part in the Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) competition 2012 which invites young people of all ages and abilities to produce artwork, creative writing, poetry or film on an anti-racism theme.

At a ceremony on 3 May at Old Trafford, Manchester, 24 young winners received prizes from special guests. NUT General Secretary Christine Blower said she was honoured to attend and speak at the ceremony.

The charity has launched a new educational resource endorsed by the NUT. Talking about Homophobia is a selection of interviews featuring Hollyoaks star Kieron Richardson, comedian and author Rhona Cameron and England rugby player Ben Cohen. Homophobia: Let’s Tackle It has sporting personalities talking about homophobia. The films are accompanied by an education pack for upper KS3 to adults. Find out more at www.srtrc.org

Parliamentary briefing

The NUT and head teachers’ union NAHT held a joint briefing on forced academies in Parliament on 24 April. The briefing was hosted by City of Durham Labour MP Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods.

Speakers included NUT Deputy General Secretary Kevin Courtney, NAHT General Secretary Russell Hobby, parent Susan Moyse and Mike Barnes, Head of Flakefleet Primary School in Fleetwood, Lancashire.

Kevin said the Government was using flawed evidence to justify the drive towards academy status in primary schools. He outlined why the NUT opposes academies while supporting members who work in them. “Head teachers are being visited by the DfE and told to select a sponsor or one will be selected for them. This is institutional bullying,” he said.

Susan Moyse, parent of a child at Downhills Primary School in Haringey, described the overwhelming opposition at the school to forced academy status (see opposite). She is taking legal action against Education Secretary Michael Gove over the issue.

Mike Barnes described how the DfE was trying to force his school to become an academy despite an excellent record of improvement, which has seen it come out of special measures to be rated good with outstanding features in July 2011.

Teachers target Cameron and Clegg

NUT and NASUWT members will be massing in Oxford and Sheffield on Saturday 14 July to show coalition leaders David Cameron and Nick Clegg (whose constituencies are nearby) the strength of feeling among the teaching profession over the Government’s treatment of teachers, the education system and other public services. The teachers will be calling on the leaders and their parties to defend teachers’ pensions, pay and jobs.

Teachers and supporters from across the country are invited to join the protests.

Oxford – assemble 11am, Manzil Way; rally 1pm, Broad Street.

For details call 07967 392229 or email j14@odtuc.org.uk

Sheffield – assemble 11.30am, Devonshire Green; march 12 noon to Barkers Pool in front of City Hall. For details call 0114 265 0180 or email nutsheffield@btinternet.com

For more information and flyers go to www.teachers.org.uk/protect-teachers

To find out more about the NUT’s joint work with the NASUWT, turn to p12.