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Academisation Party conferences Disabled teachers’ conference Music for Youth Challenging racism
Membership changes Middlesbrough runs the world History of the NUT A class act Mexican elections
T H E
TEACHER November/December 2018
Head
teachers
take to the
streets
School leaders’
cuts march
Your magazine from the National Education Union: NUT section 1
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The Teacher
November/December 2018
Hundreds of head teachers marched on Downing
Welcome
Street in protest at cuts to school funding.
Photo: Jess Hurd, Report Digital
Academisation Party conferences Disabled teachers’ conference Music for Youth Challenging racism
Membership changes Middlesbrough runs the world History of the NUT A class act Mexican elections
A SHOW of contempt. That was how campaigner and head teacher
Jules White described the Chancellor’s budget announcement on
T H E
TEACHER November/December 2018 education funding.
Philip Hammond said he would give a £400m “bonus” to help
schools “buy the little extras they need”. This shows just how out of
step his Government is with feeling in our schools.
This money is a drop in the ocean compared to the £2bn cut
from our schools since 2015. It’s an insult to our members, who face
Head
teachers
rising class sizes, spiralling workload, dwindling resources and staff
take to the
streets
School leaders’
shortages caused by a flood of teachers leaving the profession.
cuts march
This Government does not seem to care about the magnitude of
Your magazine from the National Education Union: NUT section
the crisis. It falls on us to stand up to stop the damage being done.
1
President: Kiri Tunks Last week, Mary Bousted and I met with the leaders of our sister
head teachers’ unions to discuss this derisory offer. We have decided
Joint General Secretary:
Kevin Courtney that, from 12 November, the National Education Union (NEU), alongside
ASCL and NAHT, will ask members what our next steps should be.
Editor: Helen Watson
In our Union, we will be holding an indicative ballot on the
Journalists: Government’s failure to provide schools and colleges with the money
Emily Jenkins, Max Watson
they need and the inability to fund the recommendations of its own
Newsdesk pay review body (STRB).
t: 020 7380 4708
e: teacher@neu.org.uk This ballot will involve all teachers in state-funded schools and
sixth form colleges in England. We will hold meetings in your area and
Design & subbing: Amanda Ellis
be asking you to get staff together in your school.
As a united profession, with the backing of parents, pupils and our
neu.org.uk
communities, we will be a powerful force to pressure this Government
to end the school funding crisis for good.
facebook.com/
nationaleducationunion Finally, I am writing in the last-ever edition of the Teacher before
the two sections of our Union
twitter.com/NEUnion become one.
Most of us will feel a tinge of
To advertise contact: sadness at this time. But we
Leanne Rowley, Century are stronger together, ready
One Publishing, Alban Row,
27-31 Verulam Road, to rise to the many challenges
St Albans AL3 4DG facing our pupils and members.
t: 01727 739 183 Our new Union is shaping the
e:leanne@centuryone
publishing.uk future of education and I am
Except where the NEU has formally negotiated
proud to be part of it.
agreements with companies as part of its services to
members, inclusion of an advertisement in the Teacher Kevin Courtney,
does not imply any form of recommendation. While every
effort is made to ensure the reliability of advertisers, the National Education
NEU cannot accept any liability for the quality of goods
or services offered. The Teacher is printed by Wyndeham Union, Joint
Southernprint Ltd. Inside pages are printed on paper
comprised of 100% recycled, post-consumer waste. General Secretary
The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018 3
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The rest is history
November 1859
Charles Darwin’s book On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection
Contents
was first published. His theory, that all living creatures descended from a common
ancestor, was highly controversial, arousing much scientific and religious debate.
His ‘evolution revolution’ has become largely accepted and is now taught as part
of the GCSE curriculum.
Features Regulars
06 News
21 Union people
23 Michael Rosen
31 Warwick Mansell & Polly Donnison
33 A class act
34 Ask the Union & training diary
37 International
38 Web, app & book reviews
40 Letters & teacher’s pet
45 Noticeboard
47 Reader’s rant & yoga
49 Crossword & recipe
“We have
a professional
production crew
and stage
management. 6 Fury over Chancellor’s “little extras” 19 All change
They’re treated The Government failed to address the On 1 January, the ATL and NUT
like superstars.” school funding crisis in the autumn budget.
We discover what the Union is doing to step
sections of the Union come together
and you will see some changes to
pages 14 & 15 up its anti-cuts campaign. your membership and subscriptions.
Matt Partridge explains.
15 Let the music play
The Music for Youth charity, which the 24 Pride, passion and professionalism
Union sponsors, involves more than 40,000 As the NUT officially becomes
young people in musical activities every the National Education Union,
year. We speak to chief executive Judith Max Watson looks back at our
Webster about its work (above). 147-year history, rich with struggles,
campaigning and achievement (left).
50 Backbeat
The majority of the country has illegal
and harmful levels of air pollution
and Government is moving too
slowly to tackle it, argues Catherine
Maguire, Clean Air Parents’ Network
Co-ordinator at ClientEarth.
The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018 5
Heads take to the Funding
streets over funding
MORE
than two
Unions unite to say:
thousand
head
teachers
enough is enough
marched on
Westminster THE announcement by the Chancellor schools and colleges with the funds needed
to demand that the Government would make £400m to implement the recommendations of the
more available to schools to buy “little extras” School Teacher Review Body.
funding for has been met with dismay throughout the
schools . profession. Indicative ballot of NEU members
Organised by the Worth Less? In his autumn budget, Phillip The NEU will launch an indicative ballot
campaign, the protest brought Hammond failed to address the school and which will involve all teachers in state
together school leaders from across college funding crisis, sparked by an eight schools and sixth-form colleges in England.
the country to deliver a letter to per cent real-terms decline in total school Kevin Courtney, Joint General
Downing Street. spending per pupil over the past eight years, Secretary of the NEU, said: “It is incredible
The heads warned of collapsing including cuts of over 20 per cent to school that Philip Hammond still does not get it.
school buildings, cuts to teaching staff, sixth-forms. Schools have a £2 billion shortfall in funding
bigger class sizes and loss of support a year – which is set to get worse. Capital
for SEND pupils. Education unions unite for next steps funding has been cut by a third.
Protestors gave examples As a result, the National Education Union “A one-off payment for ‘little extras’
of parents being asked to pay for (NEU) has taken the unprecedented will do nothing to address the cuts faced by
essentials – such as toilet roll, pens step of joining with two sister unions to schools or the growing teacher recruitment
and paper – and schools closing early simultaneously consult members on what and retention crisis.”
to save money. steps to take next. The crisis has resulted in cuts to
The NEU, the National Association of curriculum options, enrichment activities,
How much will Head Teachers (NAHT) and the Association individual student support, classroom
your school lose? of School and College Leaders (ASCL) resources and maintenance budgets. And
the Government’s failure to fully fund and
will be seeking views on how best to take
THE School Cuts campaign has forward the campaign for improved funding fully implement the teacher review body’s
launched a new website (below). ahead of next year’s comprehensive pay recommendation is the final straw.
Ninety one per cent of schools spending review.
are still facing funding cuts. Input your From 12 November, the NEU, ASCLSix easy tests, 100% failure
postcode to find out if yours is on the and NAHT will launch membership Ahead of the budget, the three unions set
list, how much it will lose and what out six tests of what schools and colleges
consultations on cuts to spending and the
action you can take. Government’s needed, none of which were met.
Visit schoolcuts.org.uk failure to Geoff Barton, ASCL General
provide Secretary, said: “So much is
All pay contingent upon a properly
rises fully
implemented Reverse funded education service –
and fully school the life chances of young
cuts now people, the economic
funded
and social welfare
6 1 of the nation, and
the goal of greater
Address New
six
social mobility. All
historic money 2 of this is being put
under 5 from the in jeopardy by the
tests
funding Treasury Government’s
4 3 continued failure
to provide sufficient
A five- High needs, funding for schools
year early years and colleges.”
and post-16 The unions are
funding education planning meetings in
plan fairly local authority areas to put
funded the case for more funding,
and members are being urged to
6 The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018
What you can do
1 Put up a poster in
the staff room.
2 Remind people
to vote.
3 Run a Hands Up
meeting at school.
4
Spread the word
by text, WhatsApp,
Facebook, Twitter.
95% of schools have
cut staff, say heads
CAMPAIGNERS handed in a petition at the Department for Education (DfE), protesting the impact of
funding cuts on children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The NEU and the School Cuts coalition launched an online petition, calling for more school funding
for children and young people with SEND. In a matter of weeks, it collected more than 34,000 signatures.
According to the DfE’s own figures, more than 2,000 children with special needs and disabilities
in England are waiting for educational provision. Families are struggling to access the education their
children need, as real terms cuts to school and local authority budgets hit those pupils hardest.
NEU members also wrote to Damian Hinds in advance of the budget to ask him to properly fund
SEND in all schools/colleges, ensuring no child has to wait for a place in school and to give power and
funding back to local authorities so they can commission support and services in line with what children in
their community need. Photo by Jess Hurd
HUNDREDS of postcards calling on the
Government to reverse school spending
get staff together in school to Treasury will solve the school cuts were delivered to the Department for
discuss the indicative ballot
and what the cuts mean
“The life funding crisis.” Education (DfE) in September.
The postcards, which outlined the
to education provision. chances of Update your contact effects of school cuts on Tower Hamlets
young people… details and tell your schools, were signed and handed in by
Education must be colleagues
a priority are being put in The Union is urging
pupils, parents, staff and local political figures
(pictured above).
Paul Whiteman, General jeopardy by the members to ensure their A survey of Tower Hamlets head
Secretary of NAHT,
said: “Schools and young
Government.” details are up-to-date and
encourage those who aren’t
teachers revealed 95 per cent of schools
have cut staff; 82 per cent have cut back on
people are definitely much members to join up and take resources and equipment; 86 per cent are
too far down the Government’s part in the ballot. cutting back on curriculum support services;
list of priorities, and for them, austerity Mary Bousted, Joint General 81 per cent are seeking contributions from
is most certainly not over. Secretary of the NEU, said: “A united parents; 49 per cent have cut back on family
“We will be taking all appropriate profession, with the backing of the parents support; and 63 per cent say there is less
action to influence the content of the and pupils we serve, will be a powerful force support for children with special needs.
spending review in the spring. And we to pressure the Government to end the Photo by Jess Hurd
must be clear: only new money from the school funding crisis for good.”
The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018 7
News
Strike threat over head’s
‘culture of bullying’
NATIONAL Education Union (NEU)
members narrowly avoided taking strike
action at Abbey Community Primary
School, Leicester, in October.
A strike was called against a culture
of bullying by the head teacher, excessive
workloads including unreasonable
deadlines for data requests and report
writing, and consequent high levels of
stress among staff.
The ballot resulted in 100 per cent of
members voting for action on an 80 per
cent turnout. Strikes were called for 30
October and 1 November, but the head
teacher resigned with immediate effect
– so the strike was called off.
Jenny Day, Leicester NEU: NUT
section assistant association secretary,
Hossein’s appeal rejected – please help
said: “Members at Abbey have been A REFUGEE, whose story was featured in the July issue of the Teacher
very strong in an extremely difficult (above), has had his leave to remain application rejected.
climate and demonstrated that they Hossein Ahmadi left Iran after his father was killed for political
are united and there is power in opposition to the regime and his brother also disappeared. Fearing for his
collective action. life, his family sent him from the country at the age of 14 and he arrived in the
“Our next fight is to prevent the UK three years ago, via Calais.
school becoming an academy – watch Wakefield NEU division secretary Sally Kincaid fostered Hossein and is
this space.” appealing for fellow members to support him.
She said: “He has lived with us for nearly two years and brought so much
Black Teachers’ joy, fun and optimism – especially about education – to our lives. This time,
Conference in Bristol it’s truly personal.”
Sally is asking for letters of support to help the family with their appeal.
NEU Black Teachers’ Conference takes Please send letters, on headed notepaper if possible, to sally.kincaid@
place on 16-18 November at the Grand neu.org.uk
Hotel in Bristol.
There will be workshops, stalls and
plenaries encouraging members to
become more active in the Union. large impact on voting intentions in last speaking to one another like those
year’s General Election. adopted in Victorian prisons – is unlikely
DfE ban on expressing to help make them so.”
party political views Silence rule in school –
‘like a Victorian prison’ Strike continues over
THE Government has inserted a gagging
clause to schools’ guidance on staffing as ANOTHER academy school has imposed forced academisation
a result of anti-cuts campaigning. a ban on talking in corridors, to the NEU members took strike action at
The Department for Education (DfE) dismay of parents and staff. John Roan School in Greenwich in
revised a document aimed at school The City of London Academy protest at forced academisation on
leaders in September, which now states: Highgate Hill, north London, has 18 October. Staff will take further action
“All staff have a responsibility to ensure introduced the draconian new rule, on 7 November.
that they act appropriately in terms of warning pupils will face detention if Kirstie Paton, parent, teacher and
their behaviour, the views they express caught chatting between lessons more NEU rep at the school, said: “We are clear
(in particular political views) and the than once. that it is in the interests of all students,
use of school resources at all times, and Ken Muller, of Islington NEU, said: parents, carers and staff that the school
should not use school resources for party “Of course schools should require remains within the control and support of
political purposes.” students to move around in an orderly our local authority (LA).
The move follows successful way. But schools should also be joyful “We feel that too much is at stake for
campaigning by a coalition of teaching places and adopting ‘silent systems’ in us not to do our very best to ensure our
unions against school cuts which had a corridors – with children banned from school remains an LA community school.”
8 The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018
Political conference round-up
Lobbying politicians of all parties
THE Union made a strong case for Time
for Teaching at the party conferences this
autumn, reports NEU Parliamentary and
campaigns officer Chris Brown.
National Education Union (NEU)
stalls highlighted the long hours spent on
unnecessary tasks that are driving teachers
out of the profession.
Organisers spoke to thousands of
people – MPs, teachers, Parliamentary
candidates, councillors and school
governors – during conference season.
The Union lobbied for better funding
to allow heads to afford enough teachers
and support staff, and reform of the
assessment system which increases many
areas of workload.
Addressing politicians from all parties
The NEU held a series of well-attended Labour MP and NEU member Thelma Walker, who is also on the Education Select Committee, at
fringe meetings, welcoming Education Labour conference Photo by Danny Fitzpatrick
Secretary Damian Hinds to the Union’s
event at Conservative Party Conference. from the Union’s recent exam factories NUT section President Kiri Tunks proposed
Layla Moran attended panel discussions at research and re-iterated her party’s a motion calling for a fully funded pay rise
the Liberal Democrat conference, Tracy commitment to scrap Ofsted and get for teachers.
Brabin at Labour and Vix Lowthion at rid of SATs. The TUC motion “supports member
the Green Party. A week later in Liverpool, Angela Raynor unions taking action to secure fair pay
Other panellists included Education announced that a Labour government in schools and full implementation and
Select Committee and NEU member would create a state-funded teacher supply funding of pay recommendations”.
Thelma Walker MP, Keeping Early Years service, end the academy and free schools
Unique and the National Governance programme and bring all publicly funded Unanimous support for Palestine
Association. schools “back into the mainstream public A resolution on Palestine, supported by
Meetings were also jointly held with sector, with a common rule book and under the NUT former President Louise Regan,
the charity Child Poverty Action Group local democratic control”. was passed unanimously.
to highlight the impact poverty has on Damian Hinds’ address to The motion condemned Israel’s
children’s learning and society as a whole. Conservative conference in Birmingham recent passing of a nation-state law,
was most notable for the key issues that it which institutionally discriminates against
LibDem and Labour backing failed to address – including school funding, Palestinian citizens of Israel, as well
In her speech to the Liberal Democrats’ workload and teacher supply. as Trump’s decision to cut aid for
gathering in Brighton, Layla Moran quoted At TUC Congress in September, NEU: Palestinian refugees.
(From left) Ed Dorrell of the TES, Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck, the NEU’s
Mary Bousted and Alison Garnham of the Child Poverty Action Group at
Labour conference Photo by Jess Hurd Damian Hinds visits the NEU’s stall at Conservative Party conference
The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018 9
Academies news
Essex parents battle Local authority stability 41% of pupils excluded
to stop NET closing in ANOTHER parent-led campaign is calling AN investigation into pupil suspension
PARENTS and staff are campaigning for local authorities to be able to take rates has revealed that 45 schools
to stop the takeover of Waltham Holy back control of academies. suspended at least one in five of
Cross Primary School in Essex by NET At the time of writing, almost their students in 2016-17 – and the
Academies Trust. 50,000 people had signed a petition overwhelming majority were academies.
The school was placed in special organised by parents of Longshaw Just five of the 45 highlighted by
measures following an Ofsted inspection Primary Academy in Chingford calling the Guardian investigation were run
last December but parents are for “failed academies to have the option by local authorities. Nine were part
challenging the results. In a petition, they of being brought into local authority of Outwood Grange Academy Trust
say they do not recognise the findings supervision to bring stability”. and one of its schools, Ormesby in
of the report and have challenged the Silver Birch Academy Trust runs the Middlesbrough, excluded 41 per cent
professionalism of the inspectors. school but is being wound up following of pupils.
Parent Shaunagh-Rose Roberts reports of large numbers of pupils and The national average of pupils
said: “I remember being excited about staff leaving. The school now faces being receiving at least one suspension is
the future of the school and feeling safe re-brokered to another academy trust. 4.6 per cent.
in the knowledge that my children’s The petitioners state “parents Kevin Courtney, Joint General
education would be focused on curiosity, across the country tell us the same thing Secretary of the National Education
confidence building, nurturing individual is happening to their children’s schools” Union (NEU), said: “Real-terms funding
talents and embracing creativity. and ask: “why is this being allowed cuts have forced schools to make
“We have seen the evidence to happen?”. behavioural and specialist learning
of these values and principles every The campaign received a boost support assistants redundant, many
day, but there’s a good chance from Labour’s prospective Parliamentary of whom supported pupils at risk of
that everything we love and cherish candidate for the constituency, Faiza exclusion, including those with special
about the school today will be forced Shaheen, who said: “Just as with other educational needs or disabilities (SEND).”
to change.” botched privatisations, schools should
To sign the parents’ petition, visit have the opportunity to go back to the DfE’s wasted millions
saveourschool.org.uk public sector.”
A REPORT into the accounts of the
Department for Education (DfE) has
revealed that millions of pounds have
been wasted in payments to consultants
and writing off costs for free schools.
The details include £9 million spent
on consultancy in 2017-18, up from
£6 million the previous year and
£3.5 million in 2015-16.
Between 2013-14 and 2016-17, 44
free school projects were cancelled, and
the DfE made in-year losses of more than
£1 million on the cancellation of two free
school projects in 2017-18.
Forced academy move
A WILTSHIRE academy has been forced
to join a new trust, despite a vote of no
confidence by school staff and concerns
about lack of consultation.
Clarendon Academy, a ‘good’ school,
and part of the Education Fellowship
Trust, was forced to join Acorn Education
Trust after TEFT announced it would be
THE next NEU Supply Teachers’ Network meeting is on Saturday, 17 giving up all its schools last year.
November from 11am-4pm at NEU Sheffield, St Mary’s Gate, Sheffield Clarendon’s request to join
(next to Sheffield United Football Club). For more details, email Peter Sagar another trust was rejected. Leaders also
at neusupply.secretary@gmail.com complained they were not able to consider
becoming a standalone academy.
10 The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018Bradford trust plans to scrap pay agreements
A WHOLESALE attack on staff contracts, including plans to ditch The trust admitted: “The proposed changes are intended to
all national and local agreements, has been announced by the give BDAT the right to have the flexibility not to honour the pay rises.”
Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust (BDAT). School staff in all unions – National Education Union (NEU),
Eighteen schools in Bradford run by BDAT could scrap pay and ASCL, GMB, NAHT, NASUWT and Unison — have mobilised against
conditions agreements contained in the Burgundy Book. the proposals.
This would impact on sick and redundancy pay. It would also NEU assistant division secretary Ian Murch said: “We are
mean probationary periods for all staff changing roles, potentially hopeful that the trust will withdraw this threat. We will move to a
resulting in dismissal, and national pay rises not being implemented. more formal dispute if not.”
Members at the conference in Oxford showing their support for the SEND funding campaign Photo by Kois Miah
Disabled members’ biggest conference yet
DISABLED members’ conference in Oxford entertaining and inspiring opening address put forward a motion to national
was a huge success. Delegates took part challenging the audience to consider what conference, promoting job sharing in
in workshops covering subjects including is meant by ‘normal’. Union roles as a means of countering
invisible impairments, exam stress, autism And Janine Booth, of the RMT union, discrimination against disabled people
and making reasonable adjustments to not only delivered the hugely popular and those with caring responsibilities.
keep disabled members in work. workshop on neurodiversity in the Delegates welcomed the longer
This was the biggest conference for workplace, but also treated delegates to format, enabling travel to be spread over
disabled members yet, with representatives her excellent performance poetry. two days. We look forward to a bigger and
from every region and nation represented. Three motions were debated and, even better event next year.
Comedian Francesca Martinez gave an after lively discussion, it was agreed to Vin Wynne, senior organiser, disabled members
Call to investigate home tuition provider Exemplar
A CIVIL rights organisation has called for an investigation into a High cost of fees, difficulties cancelling a four-year contract,
private company which provides home tuition. as well as the low quality of videos have all been subject to criticism.
Exemplar Education, and sister company The Student Support Parents on Mumsnet have shared negative experiences of high-
Centre, provides courses on video and DVD at a cost, and schools pressure sales pitches, being locked into a contract and the use
send promotional materials out on school-headed paper. of school-headed paper to promote the firm. One user said: “This
The Association of Pension and Benefits Claimants CIC (ABC) company has made my life a misery.”
has called on shadow education minster Angela Rayner to ask The National Association of Head Teachers has advised its
Trading Standards to examine the company. members against distributing sales pitches from private companies.
The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018 11specialoffer
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12 The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018Support RMT’s train guard dispute News
Challenging sexist
stereotypes
THE Union’s work in tackling
sexism was discussed at a one-day
conference in Wales.
Held on 6 October, the event
featured a variety of speakers
including Ros McNeill, the Union’s
head of education and equality
policy, and Dr Jackie Jones, professor
of Feminist Legal Studies at Bristol
University.
Ros pointed out that many Welsh
schools are tackling sexism creatively,
THE RMT union has been involved in a long- passengers, help many older and disabled while Jackie spoke of the ‘jock
running dispute to keep guards on trains. passengers on and off trains and, during culture’ that pervades universities.
Secretary of State for Transport Chris their journey, provide expert travel advice.” Mairead Canavan, NEU division
Grayling has told train companies to Mr Cash said: “Our members are secretary for Vale of Glamorgan, gave
introduce driver-only trains, and disputes fighting these plans, taking many days strike a presentation on ‘unions challenging
are ongoing in Northern Rail, South Western action and suffering financial hardship. They stereotypes’ which showcased
Railways, GTR Southern and Merseyrail. need your practical and political help.” booklets produced by the NUT
The RMT says train guards are vital to The RMT is asking teachers to: section, including Stereotypes Stop
ensuring passengers have a safe, secure n Donate to the RMT dispute funds – email You Doing Things; Boys’ Things and
and accessible railway. Many teachers are info@rmt.org.uk or call 0800 376 3706 or Girls’ Things?; and It’s Child’s Play.
worried that children travelling alone on visit rmt.org.uk There were workshops from Let
trains to and from school are vulnerable. n Invite a speaker to your Union branch or Toys be Toys, The Women and Girls
“Guards help passengers in the event region or community group. Network and Show Racism the Red
of an emergency such as a derailment, n Write to your MP using the model letter Card (Wales).
evacuation or fire,” said RMT General on the RMT website. Sally Thomas from the Union staff
Secretary Mick Cash. “They provide security n Share the RMT film ‘Unguarded’ at team spoke about the NEU Sexism in
and assurance, especially for vulnerable bit.ly/unguardedrmt Schools report and what teachers can
do to tackle sexual harassment.
Participants really enjoyed the
Guernsey votes to scrap 11-plus day and hope to organise more
events on tackling sexism in future.
SCHOOLS in Guernsey are ending
11-plus selection exams and moving
New discount scheme
to comprehensive schooling, after a THE NEU has a new discount savings
successful campaign run by local teachers. scheme provider. The current
National Education Union rep and arrangement the NUT section has
primary school teacher Connie Armstrong with Countdown will come to an end
campaigned for the change with secondary on 31 December.
school teacher Sara Buck, a NASUWT If you have a standing order
member, and grandparent Tim Langlois. payment set up with your bank for gift
The trio organised a survey of teachers cards provided through the scheme,
and support staff, which gained an don’t forget to cancel it by the end
overwhelming majority to end selection. of the year.
“We had a lot of support from parents,” Your gift cards will continue to
Connie told the Teacher. “It was a real be usable provided there is a balance
community effort. Some of the students on the card.
got involved too which was great.” If you have any queries, contact
Local politicians claimed that teachers customerservices@countdowncard.
and parents were divided on the issue but com or telephone 01462 889 010.
research showed otherwise. The States of More details will be provided with
Guernsey (the island’s parliament) then your membership renewal letter in the
organised its own survey, which led to a Campaigners Tim Langlois, Connie Armstrong and New Year.
vote to end selection by 2019. Sarah Buck celebrate their victory
The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018 13Sussex’s battle to let “The campaign Donate old instruments
the music play on
struck a chord with THE Play
THE campaign to save East Sussex Music
(ESM) service began back in 2016, when the the public and for Cuba
campaign has
county council proposed to save money by
illegally removing teachers’ upper pay range
my phone didn’t established
regional hubs
(UPR) scale. stop ringing.” for donations
We started a petition for a full debate in of musical
the council chamber. I suggested to teachers instruments
that stories from our students would help and a destined for the country.
simple message thread turned into a Save East how music had enhanced and transformed The blockade of Cuba has meant a
Sussex Music Facebook group and website. young lives. shortage of musical instruments in the
At one point, we were getting 1,000 As the Union representative, I was the island’s schools. The National Education
signatures a day inspired by the accounts of only one in the organisation allowed a voice, Union (NEU) supported an appeal for
as our teachers were instructed not to speak donations, with the aim of sending a
to the media. But I didn’t need to contact the container in April 2019.
press – the campaign struck a chord with Don’t worry if the instruments
the public and it was my phone that didn’t need repairing – Cuban musicians
stop ringing. have become skilled at renovating
Media interest gathered momentum when old instruments and bringing them
one of the many renowned musicians owing back to life.
their career to the service – Alan Thomas of To donate, visit playforcuba.org/
the BBC Symphony Orchestra – announced he collection-hubs/
was coming to Eastbourne bandstand to play
Sussex by the Sea.
Snowballed to a national issue the damage to the council’s reputation and
Hundreds of supporters joined us, and our began to look at different proposals they had
merry band marched again for May Day. previously discounted.
The famous Lewes Raft Race chose us as Efficiencies, some voluntary and
its cause and we quickly moved from local to compulsory redundancies (including my
national interest, gathering free legal advice own), have ensured that 70 jobs are secure for
along the way. The latter meant we were able now. More than 3,000 children continue to
to threaten a judicial review when I made my have music lessons and opportunities for low-
speech to full council. income and rurally isolated families remain.
Terrifying pirates joined in the fight to save East The tables turned. It became clear that Visit saveeastsussexmusic.com
Sussex Music service officers were seriously looking at ways to limit By Jane Humberstone, ex-NEU rep, East Sussex Music
Award for teacher Ben who ‘gives kids space to use music in a positive way’
AS a Music for Youth partner, the NEU awards a £500 cash prize for a
teacher to spend on music in their school.
This year’s winner was Ben Turner (pictured left). Winning was
“fantastic” for the recognition and validation of his Rap Club project,
he told the Teacher.
Rap Club is aimed at disengaged pupils with behavioural issues
and “kids who are at risk of nefarious gang activities”. It helps by
“giving them a space to use music in a positive way”.
It’s also about addressing the “negative press about youth culture
and music”.
Ben’s project has been very successful, both in Croydon and
Camden. Clubs have performed at Wembley Arena and the Royal
Albert Hall, and students who were skipping school now attend
regularly at break, lunch and after school. Their attendance and
behaviour improve “massively”, Ben said.
He plans to spend the cash on recording software or equipment
Ben Turner (centre), with one of his Rap Club students and the
NEU’s John Roberts at the MFY Connects ceremony to give his students a “more professional experience in the classroom”.
Photo by Laura Palmer Congratulations to Ben and the Rap Club. n see page 47
14 The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018Music for Youth is a national charity that provides young people with unique
performance opportunities. The Teacher spoke to chief executive Judith
Webster about its work, her passion for music and plans for the future.
Young musicians performing at Music for Youth’s National Festival 2018 in Birmingham Photo by Alick Cotterill
So much to gain, too much to lose
Words by Max Watson
MORE than 40,000 young people take part strains they have to navigate on a daily basis,” programmes “reflecting how young people
in Music for Youth’s (MFY) programme of Judith tells the Teacher. are creating, performing and consuming
regional events between January and April music today”.
every year. This is followed by a national Teamwork and life skills And children and charity partners love the
festival in summer and ends with three Proms “Music is a vehicle for self-expression and good news stories. The NUT has been a long-
at the Royal Albert Hall in November. communication but there are so many benefits standing partner of MFY and groups regularly
According to the charity’s chief, Judith to being involved in music-making that go perform at Union events.
Webster, the concerts are “life-changing” for way beyond the skills required in learning to
the children taking part. play an instrument,” she says. These include Free and open to everyone
social and life skills, working in teams and Young people thrive on the chance to
Professional crews and superstar casts thinking creatively. perform, and music teachers – who are often
“The performances are really special,” she While MFY works with orchestras, choirs isolated in tiny departments – benefit from
says. “We have a professional production and classical music, it also accommodates coming together.
crew and stage management. They’re treated contemporary music – urban, electronic, rock Judith is keen to emphasise the
like superstars.” and indy. importance of diversity and inclusion –
Students and teachers find it With its 50th birthday coming up in all the charity’s programmes are open
“motivational” coming together and witnessing 2020, the charity will not only celebrate access and free.
“good practice rather than all the stresses and its achievements but also roll out new To apply, visit mfy.org.uk
The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018 15Inspiring and engaging all learners Looking for great, free ideas to inspire & engage all learners? Contact exa.foundation today to organise a free workshop, CPD activity, or to receive helpful resources on how to increase diversity in your school’s STEM subjects. 0345 145 1234 | www.exa.foundation | info@exa.foundation
SCHOOLS up and down the
country took part in Wear Red Day
on 19 October. Members, parents
and pupils wore red to show their
support for the Show Racism the
Red Card (SRtRC) campaign, which
is supported by the Union. The
charity has been campaigning against
racism by using high-profile football
personalities since 1996 and has
an educational programme which
delivers anti-racism training to more
than 50,000 people every year.
Our picture shows pupils from
Park View Secondary School
in Tottenham, London. Visit
theredcard.org for more details.
n Tweet your photos, using the
hashtags #Showracismtheredcard
and #WearRedDay, and they
may appear on the SRtRC annual
calendar.
Challenging the growing prejudice in society
YORKSHIRE and Midlands Black Teachers’ participated in many forums within the
Network and Leeds National Education educational field. The overwhelming
Union organised its first ever Challenging concern was the lack of provision, support
Racism conference in Leeds. and knowledge about how to deal with all
The proportion of Britons who admit forms of racism, specifically Islamophobia.
to being racially prejudiced has risen Our conference heard from
since the start of the millennium, raising speakers such as Maz Saleem, whose
concerns that growing hostility to father was murdered by a fascist thug.
immigrants and Islamophobia are setting Others spoke about challenging a
back community relations. Eurocentric curriculum.
Religiously motivated hate crime has NEU Joint General Secretary Kevin
risen 40 per cent in England and Wales, Courtney and President Kiri Tunks both
with more than half (52 per cent) directed spoke about challenging xenophobia
at Muslims, according to the Home Office. and racism.
As a trade union activist, I have By Kauser Jan, Leeds NEU
Kauser Jan, Daniel Kebede and Marvina Newton
Unity demonstration Strategies for fairer education
CAMPAIGN group Stand up to Racism
has called a national unity demonstration THE first Northern NEU Equalities and attitudes affecting members.
against the rise of the far right. Conference took place in York at the end The conference was designed to
The protest takes place on of the summer. promote the support the Union gives and
17 November in central London and Special guests offered perspectives to help develop strategies for delivering a
has the backing of the Union. on sexism in schools and barriers faced fairer education in the north.
The organisers said: “We are facing by Black and disabled teachers. Members And we’ve already seen some positive
the biggest rise in support for fascism, enjoyed workshops on subjects from the results. Delegates from Northumberland
racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism language of equality to using spiritual, have joined the Changing Places
since the 1930s. We invite all those who moral, social and cultural development to campaign, South Tyneside has set up round
want to build a mass movement against embed equalities policies and practices. table events on Sexism in Schools and our
the far right on the streets, in workplaces, Delegates heard from speakers, thriving LGBT+ network has organised a
on campuses and in our communities to developed action plans and resources, programme of events for the year.
join us.” Visit standuptoracism.org.uk networked with other teachers and Email northern@neu.org.uk
gathered a better understanding of issues By Nik Jones
The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018 17No child
should feel
alone
Celebrate Christingle in your
school and show a child they
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From learning materials to fun games for your
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hold an unforgettable celebration this Christmas.
To find out more or to order your
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© The Children’s Society 2018 Charity Registration No. 221124 Photo © Jon Snedden XTC078/1018Membership
Keep up-to-date as we become the NEU
On 1 January, the ATL and NUT sections of the Union will cease to exist and
you will see some changes to your membership. Matt Partridge explains.
AT the start of 2019, a new era begins for
the National Education Union (NEU) when
the combined membership of both our
Union’s sections formally become one.
The future looks exciting, as we
become one effective and powerful
voice, championing everyone who works
in education.
But in the short term, there will be
changes to your membership and we’d like
to keep you informed about them.
NEU membership year
The NEU membership year is an academic
year, from 1 September to 31 August.
The NUT membership year ran from
January to December, so an interim ‘short’
year is needed to move your membership Online banking and bank notifications Retired members
to the new cycle. Some members may be notified by their Retired members of the NEU will continue
From 1 January, former NUT members bank about a new NEU Direct Debit to play a vital role in much of the Union’s
will enter a one-off, eight-month ‘year’. mandate. This is nothing to worry about. work. Retired membership is set at £20 per
Then, from 1 September 2019, all members This means that, from 1 February, you annum with no local fee payable.
will go into a full 12-month membership will now see National Education Union n To find out more, visit neu.org.uk/join
year, ending 31 August 2020. appear on your Direct Debit instruction.
Short membership year and subs Changes to specific groups of members
Update your details
A consequence of a short membership year Leadership staff IT’S vital that the NEU has up-to-date
is that eight months of subscriptions will be Leadership members will have their own details for all its members.
collected over a shorter, six-month period. section and be given opportunities to You may be eligible for reduced
Your Direct Debit will be collected from 1 self-organise, develop policy and access subscriptions – for example, if you
February to 1 July and you will see a change bespoke support and publications. work part-time, are about to retire or
in your monthly instalment amounts. To support this and to reflect salaries take maternity leave.
Rest assured, the total amount for in education, NUT members in leadership
those eight months is an exact pro-rata of roles will move into leadership membership It is also important you update your
NEU membership rates. and pay a higher subscription. equalities information.
You will receive a full breakdown of Have you moved? Please tell us your
your subscription for January to August, Support staff new home or school address:
along with your new membership card, at Any NUT members carrying out a support n visit teachers.org.uk/update
the end of December. staff role are entitled to move into support (for NUT section members)
membership, which will mean a reduction
Subscription arrangements in their annual subscription rate. n call us on 0345 811 8111 (Monday-
For members in work, your membership Friday 9am-5pm)
type and subscription rate are based upon Supply staff n email membership@neu.org.uk
your role and hours at work. Members NUT supply teacher members should see n or write to Membership &
will be leadership, standard (teacher or no change to their subscription amounts Subscriptions, National Education
lecturer) or support. until 1 September 2019 after which, as with Union, Hamilton House, Mabledon
For the latest information on rates visit all NEU members, membership rates will be Place, London WC1H 9BD.
neu.org.uk/join/membership-rates calculated according to hours worked.
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20 The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018Cinderella’s having a ball Union people
Louise Moores is a primary school teacher in Middlesbrough and assistant
divisional secretary and campaigns officer for the Union. She is also the
northern representative on the disabled teachers’ national organising forum.
What do you love about teaching? Union. Yesterday I submitted a motion to
I love the children’s imaginations and Disabled Teachers’ Conference regarding
acceptance of each other. Adults could reasonable adjustments to executive roles
learn a lot about how to treat each other within the Union.
from children.
What’s important to you right now?
What do you love about being in My family, especially my two boys.
the Union?
The inspirational people I’ve met and the What do you do on your day off?
friendships I’ve made along the way. I’ve My husband would probably say ‘Union
been places and done things I would never stuff’ but when I’m not out with banners
have imagined, like speaking at conference and petitions, I like to spend time with my
From left: NEU: NUT section President Kiri Tunks,
and the TUC, and lobbying MPs. family, walking the dog on the beach or in
Louise and Stockton division’s Merike Williams
the woods.
What have you been up to lately?
Union-wise, I have supported Pride events I have also been part of the northern Tell us something that we don’t know
in the north, attended the Durham Miners’ equalities working party that organised Before teaching, I was a librarian and briefly
Gala and dressed as Cinderella (pictured) a conference in June, and am currently an archaeologist. I was once personal
to inform parents about the Union’s working on a project to encourage assistant to Dr ‘Bones’ Jones from Channel
campaign against baseline testing. disabled teachers to self-identify to the 4’s Time Team.
Middlesbrough school runs the world
Chris Bartley, NEU rep at St
Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary in
Middlesbrough, reports on his mission
to improve the wellbeing of pupils.
I’D read about the Daily Mile initiative,
where children run or walk a mile every
day to improve their wellbeing and
learning outcomes.
Run to Russia!
Flushed by the excitement of the
impending World Cup, I had a crazy idea –
St Joseph’s would run the 2,624 miles
to Russia. We were now 148 miles towards our been involved in. Some people run fast,
Taking a trundle wheel round the key target and I feared people might see it as a some slow and some walk. But everyone
stage 2 playground, I calculated it would one-off. But we got roughly the same figure starts their day with exercise and a chance
take 13 laps to run or walk one mile. every day and some parents told me that to talk about the day ahead.
I asked our head if it was possible to children who struggled to get out of bed
have a Daily Mile at 8.30am every day. were now itching to run a mile. Next stop: St Joseph’s runs the world
She agreed and we challenged the school As we got closer to England’s opening In my wildest dreams, I never expected the
community to reach Russia before England game, we still needed 202 miles to reach levels of participation – or the step count on
played in Volgograd on 14 June. Russia. We sent a text encouraging as many my Fitbit – to be so high.
On the first morning, we invited Roary people to turn up as possible and on 14 In September, we started Running the
(pictured), the mascot for Middlesbrough June, 212 turned up. World, where we will attempt to walk and
Football Club, to our grand opening and we As a PE co-ordinator, it’s been one of run 24,900 miles to circumnavigate the
had a fantastic turn out of 148. the most life-affirming projects I have ever globe. We’ll keep you posted.
The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018 21ING
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Get your FREE tickets at childcareexpo.co.uk or call 01425 838393Modern education has a great new tradition:
putting schools through inter-school competition.
I’m not talking here about inter-school sports,
the people in charge have much greater thoughts:
the quality of education will improve, they say,
if children compete in a more radical way,
one that requires grand-looking databases
as the children are forced to compete for places
like shows where prizes are awarded to cattle.
Schools have to fight in a Places Battle Poem by Michael Rosen
Illustration by Dan Berry
though in some localities it’s more like a war.
“We’re much better than the school next door
and just to prove it, we hire people to devise
shiny banners and posters which advertise
the absolute fact it’s 100% true
we do things much better than other schools do.”
Now there’s nothing wrong with a bit of pride
though perhaps it’s better worn on the inside
but all this boasting and self-justification
has to be added to the cost of education,
and if we bring to this discussion a bit of reality
just think about all schools in your locality:
(far be it from me to hit a note of dissent)
but couldn’t that money be much better spent?A force in
the land
The 147-year history
of the National
Union of Teachers
(NUT) is a rich one.
It is a story of
struggles for decent
pay, pensions and
for comprehensive
education; of
suffragettes and the
fight for equality
for women; of
evacuating children
during the Second
World War; and
campaigning against
funding cuts, high
stakes testing and
academisation.
As the Union
formally becomes
the National
Education Union
(NEU), Max Watson
looks back at the
struggles that made
us who we are.
THE story begins in 1870, when the
National Union of Elementary Teachers
was founded and, by 1888, became the
National Union of Teachers (NUT).
It scored important early victories:
defeating ‘payment by results’ in 1897
and winning a national state-aided
system of pensions for teachers in 1898.
The Union grew dramatically – from
14,000 to 120,000 members – under Members mobilised in big
the leadership of James Yoxall, General numbers to protect their
Secretary from 1892 until 1924, and pensions in 2004 and
became a ‘force in the land’. again in 2011
24 The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018parents and setting up strike schools for which “proved
1,500 children. a salutary “Five
Austerity continued into the ’30s and
when Frederick Mander lead the union as
warning for
petty tyrants teachers
General Secretary from 1931 until 1947. everywhere”.
and 109 pupils
1944 Free, comprehensive education 1966 were killed
in Aberfan
Mander helped draft the 1944 Education Tragedy in
Act – a watershed moment in the provision of Aberfan
comprehensive, free education, and described
as the NUT’s ‘finest hour’.
Disaster struck
in October in 1966”
Primary, secondary and further education 1966 in the Welsh
was established, and a Ministry of Education mining village of
now had overall responsibility for schooling. Aberfan, when five teachers
School fees were abolished in 1947, free and 109 pupils were killed by a colliery slag
school meals, milk and dental treatment for heap which slid into Pantglas Junior School.
children put in place. Among the dead was head teacher and
However, grammar schools lingered on, to NUT activist Ann Jennings, who had foreseen
1914-39 Longest strike in history the exasperation of NUT President GCT Giles, the danger and had petitioned Merthyr
Kitty and Tom Higdon were Norfolk NUT who said in 1949: “There are still two systems Council to have it removed.
activists who found themselves at the centre of of education in Britain, one for the privileged The NUT rallied to support the
an epic dispute. few and one for the unprivileged many.” community, agreeing to “immediate and
Their dismissal from Burston School in The NUT had to continue to push for the unlimited relief to any teachers or dependents
1914 prompted a walkout by the pupils, who implementation of the 1944 Act and for an who need it,” and the Union’s executive
marched through their village with placards increase in salaries and training programmes travelled that day to help co-ordinate efforts in
which read: “We want our teachers back”. for teachers. the immediate aftermath.
An impromptu classroom
was set up under a 1950 Free choice to join a union 1969 First national pay strike
“An marquee, which
turned into a ‘strike
The Union won a significant dispute in 1950,
fighting Durham Council over the right to
The first national strike was over pay in 1969,
with stoppages at more than 300 schools.
impromptu school’ (pictured join a trade union as a matter of free choice, It broke the policy of pay restraint and a
classroom in above), funded
by the labour
rather than imposed by the local authority. At
one point, there were 5,000 members ready to
requirement to supervise school meals.
The NUT recorded 300,000 members by
a marquee movement, and
which lasted
resign their membership in protest.
General Secretary Ronnie Gould
1970, its centenary year – making it the biggest
education union in Europe.
turned into until 1939 – the celebrated Durham as a “famous victory,” n Continued on page 28
a strike
longest strike in
the history of the
school” British trade union
movement.
JESSICA Milner Davis discovered
she was one of two great grand-
daughters of the NUT’s first President,
1913 New HQ Henry J Walker.
The Union moved into new headquarters, Jessica came to visit the NUT
Hamilton House, in 1913. headquarters in July and met the last
That year, the NUT launched a campaign President of the NUT, Kiri Tunks (left).
for a national salary scale, and strikes between She had discovered a framed
1917 and 1919 resulted in the establishment testimonial which was presented to
of the Burnham Committee on salaries, which Henry Walker, thanking him for his
was responsible for setting teachers’ pay. This services as President of the NUT at the
committee included union representation 1890 annual conference.
and lasted until it was abolished by Margaret It was thanks to Henry’s wife,
Thatcher in 1987. Susanna, that he became a teacher.
Affiliation to the Labour Party was They both worked in impoverished
debated in 1919 but members voted to retain areas of Bristol, for the betterment of
independence by a margin of two to one. their children, Jessica said.
Education continues to run in
1920s and 30s Austerity, pay cuts, strikes the family generations later – Jessica
The Union faced huge cuts to public spending is an academic and her father was a
in the 1920s, epitomised by a dispute in professor: “The teaching strain has
Lowestoft in 1923. That local authority sought come out through the generations,”
to impose a ten per cent pay cut but the Union she said.
forced a retreat by winning the support of
The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2018 25You can also read
