Petition to oppose privatisation of public services

The petition to oppose the privatisation of education and health is supported by the NUT and by health service unions.

It is a European petition. You can sign it online and improve your French at the same time. Get your friends to sign it too.

Click here

WSTA Executive Meetings

Saturday 23rd June 2007
Horsham Professional Centre

Saturday 8th September 2007
Crawley Professional Centre

Saturday 1st December 2007
Worthing Professional Centre

Saturday 27th January 2008
Crawley Professional Centre

Saturday 26th March 2008
Worthing Professional Centre

These meetings are form 10.00 am to 12.30 pm.

Meetings for all members

Wednesday 2nd May 2007
4.30 pm
Chichester High School for Girls
Click here for a map

Wednesday 26th September 2007
4.30 pm
Forest School Horsham
Click here for a map

Wednesday 16th January 2008
4.30 pm
Oathall Community College (Haywards Heath)
Click here for map

Saturday 1st March 2008
10.00 AM
Annual General Meeting
(Norfolk Arms Hotel, Arundel)
Click here for a map

Report from the Young Teachers Conference, Stoke Rochford, March 2007

Jenny Howells writes:

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet teachers just like yourself, share stories and experiences and realise that your part of a huge teaching team and support network that extends beyond your school into your county, your region, your country and the world!”

To be honest, I don’t know if anyone said that over the weekend at the Young Teachers Conference held at Stoke Rochford at the start of March, but they should have done.

The conference was introduced last year as a means to provide young teachers (that’s all of you under 36) with a voice as well as an opportunity to meet others within the profession in a non threatening, relaxed environment. For many, like me, that was my first experience of the Union, which I originally thought was just there to support you in times of need. I now know that it’s not! Your union is doing so much more for teachers not only in the UK, but across the globe. (Did you know that the NUT offers many courses for your CPD and has also played a leading role on issues concerning the Middle East within the teachers’ international organisation - Education International?)

The conference CLASSROOM CLIMATE, GLOBAL CLIMATE included relaxed, informal seminars where we discussed the issues that are most important to young teachers (lack of jobs, support in school, assessment, behaviour, career progression, inclusion, special needs were just a few of the areas tackled in my group) in a bid to construct a charter for Young Teachers within the Union. There were also some accomplished speakers to speak about climate change and what Trade Unionists can do, education and sustainable development and the issues facing young teachers around the globe.

The conference was held at Stoke Rochford, the NUT’s training centre. It’s a huge stately home near Grantham within impressive grounds and some great facilities including a restaurant serving great food and a well stocked bar which all helped the social side of things and made sure the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed (although it did mean some strange moves were unleashed on the dance floor in the evening).

I came away from the weekend feeling reenergised about the job and the profession. I realised that I wasn’t just a teacher in a school, but I was part of a huge network of teachers that stretched across the globe and I found out that I could have a say and a voice about issues concerning me and be listened to.

I’d recommend to all of you Young Teachers out there to get to know those in your NUT. Not only is it a great way to meet new people, you’ll also find people who will listen and offer advice and discover a whole new side to the profession!

Courses for members

Click here to check the availability of courses for NUT members
Health and Safety
School Reps
Sixth Form College reps
Harrassment and Bullying
School-based learning representatives
Members in Independent Schools
Moving into management
Student members
Overseas Trained Teachers
International Development
Equal Opportunities
School Leadership

Your employer has no right to use CCTV footage against you

This may sound like an extract from George Orwell's 1984.

At a school "somewhere in Sussex" an NQT was observed with a difficult year 10 class...via CCTV. This is a violation of the Human Rights Act (article 8). To add insult to injury the head decided the best way to deal with this was not to support the NQT but to issue a public reprimand.

CCTV intended to reduce crime cannot be used to spy on employees. A head teacher may have delusions of being big brother but in this case turned out to be the weakest link.


In general, if employees feel that the use of CCTV is intrusive they can ask the NUT to assist. Employers would usually wish to avoid a situation where recourse to an Employment Tribunal is considered so the employees should express their concerns to the employer.

The placement and retention of footage must be in accordance with regulations under the Data Protection Act 1998. You can call the Data Protection helpline 01625 545 745 for more information.

More detailed information is available here

Academies threaten teachers and education

Copies of the NUT document on Academies are on our website as a Word or Open Office document. Download it, print it out and discuss it.

http://wsta.org.uk/ACADEMIES_BEYOND_SPIN.doc
ACADEMIES: LOOKING BEYOND THE SPIN

The NUT’s Opposition to the Government’s Academies Initiative

Academies Put Schools in the Hands of Sponsors

Creating Academies involves the transfer of publicly funded assets to the control of an unaccountable sponsoring body, set up as a company limited by guarantee. Sponsors receive the entire school budget directly from the Government.

Sponsors have responsibility for all aspects of the Academy, including staff appointments, pupil admissions, curriculum and governance arrangements.

For a £2m stake, sponsors receive enormous benefits, for example school buildings and grounds, Academy supply contracts, advertising, developing the kind of workers they need.

Academies Threaten Fair Admissions Procedures

Academies are independent schools operating under the national Government’s oversight. This national structure has the potential to disrupt fair and efficient admissions arrangements within local authorities and in neighbouring authorities. Academies have the ability to effect schools’ capacity to achieve a balanced pupil intake through the provisions enabled by central Government.

Academies are responsible for their own admission arrangements, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State. This ability to undermine the operation of a comprehensive education system could re-introduce a damaging selection process. Pupils with special educational needs, those who are learning to speak English as an additional language and those whose home circumstances are difficult, could be further disadvantaged in these situations.

The facility to give priority to children of a particular faith means it is possible for Academies to refuse places to local pupils.

As Academies receive considerably more capital funding than community or foundation schools, they have the potential to destabilise local admissions by sending the message that they are better than maintained schools.

Academies Have a Damaging Effect on Other Local Schools

Academies are designed to replace schools facing challenging circumstances. The initiative is based on the idea that to close and re-open schools will automatically remove the problems that existed.

Local Authorities may have to make up any shortfall in funding from the sponsor or DfES. This is likely to be at the expense of other local schools, many of which are in need of substantial funding. Academies have already received more money from the DfES than was originally planned.

Academies cost more than comprehensive schools - £21,000 per pupil place, compared to £14,000, according to the House of Commons Education and Skills Committee.

Where originally sponsors were asked to provide up to 20 per cent (capped at around £2m) of the capital costs for each Academy, this is now providing only 8 per cent or less. All future costs are guaranteed by public money.

Academies may undermine the support local authorities can give to other schools by refusing to participate in collaborative projects organized by the authority to support learning.

Academies damage the operation of local democratic accountability and make it difficult for parents to make representations or seek advice on educational issues from their elected councillors who have no responsibility for academies.

Academies Threaten Children’s Entitlement to a Broad and Balanced Curriculum

The Government has said that Academies, “can combine a greater flexibility over the curriculum with the sponsorship and expertise of religious, private or voluntary sector contributors...” The curriculum in Academies is therefore likely to be susceptible to being influenced by the ethos of the sponsoring bodies.

Very few of the announced Academies have an arts subject as a specialism and the NUT is concerned about the influence of some faith groups on the curriculum, in particular on sex and relationships education.

The facility to give priority to children of a particular faith additionally means that it is possible for Academies to refuse places to local pupils.

Academies Undermine the Independent Role of School Governors

The constitution of the governing body of an Academy is not prescribed and the DfES advice suggests that a typical governing body of an Academy might consist of 5 or 6 sponsor governors, 1 Local Authority or council governor, 1 staff governor, 1 teacher governor, the head teacher and 1 or more parent governor.

Sponsors may want to ensure that sponsor governors have a majority on the governing body.

The Times Educational Supplement’s investigation of the accounts of Academies highlighted the influence that sponsors have over the spending of school funding and the governing body. In several cases the accounts showed that the majority of directors of the company, which manages funding from the DfES and the sponsor, and are also governors, have been appointed by the sponsor.

Academies Threaten Teachers’ Pay and Conditions of Service

Academies, as independent schools, can operate outside the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document. It is the responsibility of the Academy to agree levels of pay and conditions of service with its employees and to employ appropriate staff numbers.

Whilst teachers in Academies which replace existing schools have their conditions protected on transfer, newly appointed teachers are often placed on separate contracts that involve longer working hours and less favourable working conditions. Having teachers working on different contracts can lead to a divided, two-tier workforce.


WHAT TO DO IF AN ACADEMY IS PLANNED IN YOUR AREA

Teachers

In the first instance, contact your NUT Division/Association or your NUT Regional Office for further information.

Look on the Privatisation section of the Union’s website at www.teachers.org.uk for further information.

– For further advice on admissions, governance, and curriculum issues contact the NUT Education Department on 020 7380 4717, for guidance on pay contact the Salaries and Conditions of Service Department at NUT Headquarters on 020 7380 4774.

Parents

Contact your local branch of CASE (The Campaign for State Education) www.casenet.org.uk.

Talk to the parent governors of your school about your concerns.

Look on the Privatisation section of the Union’s website www.teachers.org.uk.

EXECUTIVE NEWS No. 132

Teacher Trade Unionists from Iraq
The Executive gave a very warm welcome to teacher union representatives from Iraq who were on a TUC organised visit to the UK. The leader of the Iraqi delegation thanked the Executive for the support and solidarity shown by the NUT to the people of Iraq and to the teachers’ union, at a time when they were experiencing extreme difficulties. He said that they would spare no efforts as teachers in Iraq and as trade unionists to seek to ensure that there was national unity, with one country for all Iraqis. The teachers’ union would face head on without fear the issue of sectarianism and the violence that was gripping their country.
They were campaigning to make sure that there was a modern curriculum in schools, one that addressed human rights and democracy. They were concerned about women’s issues in Iraq and were campaigning for women’s rights, including within the union itself. They faced the challenge of building an independent and democratic union at the same time as campaigning for a government that respected human rights and rights to organise, free from fear and oppression. Teachers in Iraq were at the forefront of attacks because of their position as teachers and the knowledge they could give to society to secure its future health.
The General Secretary made the point that the NUT sent its solidarity greeting to colleagues in Iraq and pledged support as Conference had determined.

The Primary Education Review
The Executive agreed the NUT’s submission to the Primary Education Review. The key recommendations from the NUT were:
there should be an independent review of the Primary National Curriculum and its assessment arrangements, which should focus on giving teachers more freedom to introduce play based activities into their lessons;
school leaders must be qualified teachers and have both teaching and senior management experience in schools;
there should be an independent review of the 5-14 curriculum to put in place a framework for a common curriculum entitlement that would support pupils’ learning;
school performance tables and targets should be abolished;
equality issues should be mainstreamed;
QTS standards should give more emphasis to aspects of primary teachers’ day-to-day pastoral work and child development;
there should be legislation banning all advertising and marketing on school premises;
early years provision, designated as “education”, should be provided by a qualified teacher; and
a funding review group, to include representatives from teachers’ organisations and support staff unions, should establish a mechanism for schools and LA services based on activity led funding, costing the requirements placed on schools.

Statutory Guidance on Schools Causing Concern
The Executive agreed the NUT’s submission to the consultation on the statutory guidance. The response called for a requirement that local authority policies on intervention be published and be drawn up following consultation with all relevant stakeholders. Such policies should include early warning to schools of any concerns by the local authority. Governing bodies should be able to appeal against a warning notice with a longer deadline than the 15 days proposed.
Conference Motions and Amendments
The Executive agreed that it should be the body to decide on the constitutional legitimacy of material submitted for debate at Annual Conference.

Academies
The General Secretary drew attention to a report from the National Audit Office (NAO). He highlighted omissions from the report, including the failure to address the admission policies of academies; their higher than average exclusions; and the lower percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals compared with other schools in the same area. The General Secretary referred to the Prime Minister’s goal to double the numbers of academies planned by 2010. He also referred to the NAO report identifying Excellence in the Cities as achieving better results than Academies despite the injection of much higher levels of resources in Academies.
The Executive agreed a motion on Academies and Marketisation to be promoted within TUC Regional Councils. The motion referred to the decision of Congress 2006 and called on affiliates: to support the TUC in pressing for achievement of the Chancellor’s targets for school investment; to participate actively in local anti Academy campaigns and to affiliate to the Anti Academy Alliance. The motion called for the Academies programme to be abandoned.

STRB Report
The General Secretary commented on the STRB’s re-emphasis in its latest report of dialogue with “all interested parties”. In responding the Secretary of State referred to taking forward areas of work with “partners”. There were key issues in the STRB report concerning part time teachers and the roles and responsibilities of teachers. On the definition by the Government of “partners” these discussions would not include the NUT, even though the NUT was without question an “interested party”. This issue of involvement would continue to be addressed by the NUT. It would be taken up with the TUC in relation to the motion agreed by Congress 2006 condemning “sweetheart deals”.

TUC Matters
The General Secretary reported on the success of the TUC’s campaign, much influenced by the NUT, in respect of the Sexual Orientation Regulations. He gave particular thanks to Lesley Auger, General Council member, and Tim Lucas, LGBT Committee member, for their efforts in the campaign. The recent TUC Report “Out At Work” was praised. The TUC had been attempting to organise a meeting of General Secretaries of education unions following the motion agreed by 2006 Congress on levels of education funding in the state sector compared to the private sector, which picked up on the Chancellor’s commitment. The meeting was being held up by one organisation being unavailable until the end of May.
The General Secretary reported that there was a need to press the TUC for a co-ordinated campaign on pay across the public sector, to include reference to the trigger mechanism for reviewing teachers’ pay.
There were a range of other campaigns being taken forward and supported by the NUT, including equal treatment for agency workers on which there was a Private Member’s Bill to be debated in Parliament on 2 March.
A further campaign related to the Trade Union Freedom Bill, also the subject of a Private Member’s Bill. A rally was being held prior to the debate, at which Christine Blower, NUT Deputy General Secretary, would speak.
The campaign on a Trade Union Freedom Bill would address the restrictions against industrial action over individual Academy proposals.
Further activities were planned on 3 March as part of the NHS Together campaign and these would be circulated to associations and divisions.

Developments in Wales
The General Secretary reported that the forthcoming elections in Wales had impacted on the level of activity by the Wales Assembly Government and by the Minister. The NUT would be distributing a Manifesto for Education in Wales, consistent with the Union’s policy objectives in Bringing Down the Barriers. The Manifesto would be launched at a meeting that would be addressed by the spokespersons of the main political parties in Wales, with the exception of Plaid Cymru.

TLR Action
The Executive received an up-date on TLR action. There had been 310 indicative ballots; 109 formal ballots; 93 disputes had been resolved and 17 were on-going; and there had been 2,690 strike days. There were no current plans for further days of action. Acas was involved in one dispute and another was the subject of further negotiations.

More ICT skills courses

More ICT skills at the intermediate and multimedia level are being planned for the summer term 2007 in the Brighton and Hove area.

These are courses for teachers who have basic ICT skills but want to develop them further.

Although Brighton and Hove is outside West Sussex, many of our members live there and are entitled to attend.

Want to have a go? Email wstalearn(at)yahoo.co.uk putting in an @ sign instead of (at) and we will forward your details to HQ. Individual emails will go out to as many members as possible.

If you are keen on basic ICT skills then let us know because courses will be organised in the future.

Technical note - not putting email addresses which can be read by bots on a website or blog is a way to cut down spam!