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Upfront

It’s a pleasure!

A reading for pleasure conference takes place on Friday 16 November in London. Organised by The Guardian and the British Library, it is aimed at secondary teachers. Librarians will explore strategies to engage young people with reading. There will be sessions led by authors and educational professionals, and good practice workshops on reading for pleasure in schools.

For details email educationcentre@guardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3306. For information about the NUT’s Reading for Pleasure campaign, visit www.teachers.org.uk/reading

Strike hits home

NUT members at Village Infants School took three days’ strike action in July after Barking and Dagenham Council decided to amalgamate the school with William Ford Junior to make a joint voluntary aided CE primary school. The proposals would have meant a change of employer, moving from the local authority to the Diocese of Chelmsford.

Almost 700 people, including teachers, parents and governors from both schools, opposed the proposals and signed a petition.

Village Infants’ NUT rep Yolanda Cattle said: “Although we found it difficult to close the school to the children, by going on strike we realised we were fighting to save a community school for local children, so we had to continue.“

The governing body of William Ford School voted against the proposal. As a result of this concerted opposition, the council revoked its decision.

Change for a fairer future

TUC General Secretary Elect Frances O’Grady (above) addressed TUC Congress in Brighton on 11 September. She told Congress the trade union movement must be open to change, saying: “Change must mean a banking system that serves the real economy, not just itself. Change must mean a green industrial strategy that puts Britain back to work. Change must mean public services, publicly owned – not just our precious NHS but childcare, elder care and our railways too.

“And change must mean not just a minimum wage, not just a living wage, but a fair wage.”

Frances said collective strength had never been more needed as our protection against greed, injustice and the abuse of power.

• Full Congress report on page 15.

Keep up to date with education and the NUT by following us on Twitter – www.twitter.com/NUTonline for all the latest news and views. And stay informed by visiting www.teachers.org.uk.

Got a story? Email our newsdesk at j.hulme@nut.org.uk