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Learning with the NUT

Be part of something great

Janey Hulme asks members what they took away from the NUT women’s development course.

The NUT runs an extensive training and continuing professional development (CPD) programme for all members. Many courses are free and take place across England and Wales. The training is designed to support members who are, or who want to be more, involved in the Union.

One such course is the popular women’s development course, designed for women to recognise and celebrate their skills, share ideas and strategies, and develop professionally and personally. Held several times a year, it is also an opportunity to discover how to become more active in the Union.

Kit Armstrong, NUT Midlands regional secretary, was the lead tutor on last year’s course. She believes it is a terrifi c opportunity for women members to meet, share experiences and learn.

“The course is run by women for women. It has a fl exible agenda that allows you to dip into different subjects, depending on your needs. It gives you the time and space to think about your career and your involvement in the Union – and it’s lots of fun!

“Last year we had 22 women who all made inspiring contributions. They came together to learn more about women’s contribution to society, to get some excellent CPD, and to fi nd out how to become more involved in the NUT.”

Anna Welch, a support teacher working with pupils who have English as an additional language in the London Borough of Bromley, remembers she particularly enjoyed the history of women’s issues and how equality developed.

“I would defi nitely recommend this course to others. It was well paced and the topics discussed were excellent. The two tutors were marvellous – very professional.”

Bernie Halkyard is an NUT rep teaching music to secondary and sixth form pupils in Bridlington. She described last year’s course as enlightening, adding that it was “delivered with good humour and evidence-based objectives and outcomes. At no point did we feel we were just doing a role play.”

For Bernie the course was a confi dence booster. “By the end of the weekend we were able to put into practice the things we had been taught in the public speaking session, delivering confi dent and humorous anecdotes without anyone noticing the sweaty palms and knocking knees!”

Kit urges members: “Come along to this year’s course over the weekend of 5 to 7 July 2013 – we’d love you to be part of something great!”

Stop press!

There are still places available on some NUT CPD courses running in January and February. For full details visit www.teachers.org.uk/courses And see the four-page pullout in this issue.

For more details on this course and other national training opportunities visit www.teachers.org.uk/courses