Leicester NUT Newsletter http://www.leicesternut.org.uk Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:12:55 GMT Tue, 09 Oct 2007 09:00:00 GMTThis year has been Nic Gavin's final year as Treasurer, after thirty three years in the role. This is a remarkable achievement and it's difficult to quantify the debt that this Association owes to Nic for his service. Nic has always ensured that funds are available to the Association for its important work in leading campaigns, organising demonstrations and carrying out new initiatives. Our heartfelt thanks go to Nic for all he has done, and we would like to wish Lesley Summerland good luck in taking over the role. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=661http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=661Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:19:04 GMTA new paragraph in the School Teachers' Pay & Conditions Document 2009 states: "The Relevant Body (The Head/Chair of Governors or Local Authority) should ensure that, with effect from September 2009, they consult with all staff and their union representatives on the teaching timetable and an annual calendar which includes staff meetings, parental consultations and their activities." (STPCD 2009, Section 3, paragraph 179) "Head teachers should try to minimise situations where part time teachers are subject to directed time either side of a period when they are not required to be available for work on any given day by structuring timetables as far as possible to accommodate working patterns. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=660http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=660Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:03:10 GMTThe UK is to officially recognise Workers' Memorial Day, and this recognition will take formal effect this year on 28th April, the international day of action for safety and health at work, work and pensions secretary Yvette Cooper has announced. The day is already widely commemorated in the UK and official recognition will reinforce its significance and raise awareness of the workers who are killed, disabled, injured or made ill each year by their work. Commemorations will continue to be led by individuals, trade unions and safety campaigners. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=659http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=659Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:46:04 GMTProposal for Three National Challenge Trusts in Leicester On Monday 22nd February 2010, trade union secretaries were briefed by Margaret Libreri (Divisional Director, Learning Services) regarding National Challenge Trusts. The following information went to schools on Tuesday 23rd and was in the public domain on 24th. Pending ratification at governors/IEB meetings, three schools will submit statements of intent to become National Challenge Trust schools to the DCSF. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=658http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=658Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:42:24 GMTJoint Secretaries' Report Jane Rudon and Ian Leaver, February 2010 Local NUT Organisation Jane Rudon and Ian Leaver have shared the role of Association Secretary this year. Peter Flack continues to work at least three days per week in the NUT office and this year we have been supported by Lesley Summerland. Jenny Day joins Peter, Sally Morrison and Lesley as Assistant Secretary from this AGM and we hope that from September will be able to join the team working in the office. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=657http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=657Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:22:14 GMTJane Rudon will be retiring at the end of this academic year and this means that she is standing down as National Executive member for Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire when her term of office ends at National Conference this Easter. I am very proud to have been elected as her replacement for the next two years and will hope to emulate the dedicated and hard working approach that Jane has shown over the past four years. She has worked tirelessly to represent the views of ordinary NUT members, never missing a meeting and serving on several national committees. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=656http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=656Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:06:24 GMTIn a close-run campaign, Kevin Courtney has emerged as the new NUT DGS. Our best wishes and congratulations go to Kevin. Leicester NUT has no doubt that he will not only prove to be a capable spokesperson for the Union, but also a champion of all the causes that the Union holds dear. On winning, Kevin has said, "I stood as a campaigner and that's the role I hope to be able to play – working to support Christine (Blower) in building the union's strength. In my first election leaflet I said that there were people with enormous talents in all our regions and both nations. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=655http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=655Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:04:56 GMTIn December I attended the 2009 conference on Latin America. Latin America 2009, held in London, brought together trade unionists, NGOs, academics and progressive movements from Latin America and the UK to explore recent developments across the region. It featured films, stalls, music, discussion on: • Honduras – the struggle for democracy • Cuba – 50 Years of Revolution and the fight against the US Blockade • Venezuela – deepening the revolution • ALBA – The Bolivarian Alternative For The Americas • Women In Latin America • Resistance To Neoliberal Agendas And Debt Guest speakers included speakers from Honduras, Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela, and Bolivia as well as Ken Livingstone, Frances O'Grady, TUC, Miguel Angel Martinez MEP, Tony Benn, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Tommy Sheridan and NUT National General Secretary Christine Blower. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=654http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=654Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:11:19 GMTIn 2008 the Midlands Region of the NUT instituted a memorial award in the name of Bill Anderson, a long standing activist in the Birmingham Branch. The award, very appropriately named, given Bill's record in the union, was for Campaigning Activist of the Year. It was a great personal honour to win the first ever award in 2009, although being honest it was clearly an award to City Association and the Support Our Schools Campaign or the totality of our anti-academies work. As an association we have a right to be proud that our efforts have been recognised in this way. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=653http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=653Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:05:23 GMTThe NUT is part of the Workforce Development Local Partnership (WDLP), a group that meets regularly to monitor the implementation of the Workforce Agreement. You will recall that the Workforce Agreement covers administrative tasks, limits on cover, PPA time, invigilation, work/life balance, headship time and leadership/management time. At the WDLP meeting in December it was agreed that an audit of schools will be undertaken, to see if schools are complying with their statutory duties. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=652http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=652Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:02:57 GMTYou will shortly receive your ballot paper for the election of the NUT's Deputy General Secretary, a very important position in itself and one that often leads its holder on to the job of General Secretary. Understandably, many members decide not to vote in Union elections because they have no personal knowledge of any of the candidates, but your choice is absolutely vital for the future of the NUT and what it can do to protect teachers and education. There are very difficult times ahead, and we need a strong well-run Union to deal with the challenges that we know will come to our pensions, our pay, our working conditions, and our ability to deliver education in the way that we as professionals think is in the best interests of children. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=651http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=651Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:02:25 GMTNominations are being sought for the Officers and Committee of the Association. The Vice-President automatically becomes the President and the President automatically becomes the Ex-President. The other positions are filled by the electoral process. The officers are President, Vice-President, Ex-President, Secretary, Assistant Secretaries (four), Treasurer, Minuting Secretary, Equal Opportunities Officer, Health and Safety Advisor, Teachers' Support Network Organiser and Learning Representative. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=650http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=650Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:58:43 GMTThe new Ofsted inspection framework is causing real problems in schools. Schools and teachers are being made to jump through more hoops. Judgements are being made that bear no relation to the real work going on in the school. Surely it is now time to kick Ofsted into the long grass! Ofsted has to be the single most important factor in increasing teachers' workload and stress and that is why, on January 13th, local officers in Leicester will be joining our colleagues from Leicestershire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to lobby the Ofsted Offices in Nottingham. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=649http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=649Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:55:05 GMTImagine there's no OFSTED It's easy if you try No SSEF to bug us Above us only sky Imagine all the learners Living for today Imagine no Inspections It isn't hard to do Nothing to live in fear of No limiting judgements too Imagine all the learners Living life in peace You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday we'll stop them And our schools will all be fun Imagine Lead Inspectors Really teaching for a day They'd soon learn a lesson About their cruel ways Imagine all the learners Grading them some way You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday we'll stop them And our schools will all be fun Lyrics courtesy of Nick Grant ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=648http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=648Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:50:08 GMTYou will be aware that the indicative SATS ballot closed on 30 November. An overwhelming 95 per cent of those responding agreed that the current system of KS1 and KS2 SATS should be abolished, while 76 per cent indicated that they would be prepared, in a formal ballot, to vote in favour of taking action as part of the Unions' joint campaign with NAHT. A good proportion of NUT heads and deputies responded and responded in favour of taking action, consistent with the response the NAHT received to their own survey in relation to KS2 SATS. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=647http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=647Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:38:11 GMTIn response to Patrick's request in last month's City Teacher (Letter: Curtains For Cover), Jane Foxworthy says "In our house we call them surprise teachers." ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=644http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=644Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:22:59 GMTWith the return to school after the Autumn half term, what better time for you and your colleagues to get together, grab a well-earned rest during the school day and have a cup of tea in aid of Teacher Support Network. This November we are getting teachers up and down the country to enjoy a cup of tea with their colleagues and raise some money for Teacher Support Network. We are very excited about the number of schools who have already signed up. We would like you and your school to take part too. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=643http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=643Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:20:50 GMTSchool buildings can be noisy places at the best of times. It often seems that good acoustics are one of the least important considerations when designing a new school. However, employers have a duty to monitor and attempt to control noise levels. They should carry out a risk assessment which may involve measuring decibel levels. A daily exposure level of 80 dB(A) is sufficient for employees to be entitled to ask for ear protectors. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=642http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=642Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:11:42 GMTEmployers need to pay more attention to the levels of stress and anxiety in the workplace, key NHS advisers say in a guidance document on mental wellbeing in the workplace. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) put the cost of work-related mental illness at £28 billion – a quarter of the UK's total sick bill. More than 13 million working days a year are lost because of work-related stress, anxiety and depression. Recommendations made for employers say they should: promote a culture of participation, equality and fairness that is based on open communication and inclusion; create an awareness and understanding of mental wellbeing and reduce the potential for discrimination and stigma related to mental health problems; and ensure systems are in place for assessing and monitoring the mental wellbeing of employees so that areas for improvement can be identified and risks caused by work and working conditions addressed. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=641http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=641Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:08:35 GMTA teacher was recently awarded £250,000 in damages following an attack by a student who had previously attacked another member of staff. School managers had failed to inform teachers about the attack. Managers are often reluctant to pass on information about potentially dangerous students and it can be particularly difficult to get any details about students who are involved in managed moves. They should be aware that silence can be expensive. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=640http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=640Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:08:03 GMTAristotle argued that we're political animals at heart and that active involvement in society fulfils a basic human need. It's an idea that's been rediscovered recently by psychologists interested in well-being and human flourishing. Now the positive psychologists Malte Klar and Tim Kasser have provided some tentative evidence that activists are happier than non-activists. Moreover, they've shown that a brief activist task boosted participants' vitality levels compared to a group of controls. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=639http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=639Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:03:07 GMTIn the last edition of City Teacher, I reminded NUT members about claiming tax relief on union subscriptions. I have subsequently had a number of enquiries and so now include more detail on how to claim. You require form P87 which can be found by doing a search on the HM Revenues and Customs website. If you are claiming for past years you will need to complete a separate form for each year. Send the completed form(s) to your local tax office: Leicester & Northants (Claims) Saxon House 1 Causeway Lane LEICESTER LE1 4AA » ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=638http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=638Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:58:56 GMTMore than a third of the 7,000 workers who took part in a survey have experienced bullying in the last six months – double the number recorded in 1997, according to the public services union UNISON. Rudeness, criticism, excessive work monitoring, intimidation, exclusion and withholding information are among the worst types of behaviour reported. Read the full article. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=637http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=637Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:56:13 GMTRamon has been around the block quite a few times, which is why he can remember when teachers became 'post-persons-you know', when the word 'deliver' started to be used by the Thatcher government instead of 'teach'. Ok, so we still got to be called 'teachers' but that change of word – which we have all now heard used thousands of times – signalled the end of the 'teacher' as we used to know it in our schools and as 'teacher' is still understood in most countries in Europe and in the United States. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=636http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=636Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:53:46 GMTA London NUT officer was asked to support a member in a meeting with their head. The member had been summoned with a scrappily typed screed, which detailed a list of apparent failings and finished in bold capitals with the warning that the meeting would be held according to "COMPETANCY PROCEEDURES"! Apparently, in the meeting itself the teacher was presented with an action plan in which their name was spelt incorrectly twice! ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=635http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=635Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:44:52 GMT"The government has banned the largest sponsor of academies from taking on new schools until it dramatically improve the ones it already runs," says a Guardian article this month. Read the full article: Academies sponsor ULT ordered to halt expansion ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=634http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=634Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:36:08 GMTUnions in Leicester are campaigning to oppose council plans to create up to four Trust schools in the city. Having abandoned its plans for Academies, the LA is now 'exploring' the option of making Fullhurst, Babington and New College, into Trust schools, with Rushey Mead Secondary roped into the arrangement as part of a Federation with Fullhurst. Unions have made clear that they are opposed to Trusts schools, dubbed by the Leicester Mercury as 'Academies Lite'. They question why schools should be transferred from local council control to a private Trust, just to meet the short term imperative of National Challenge. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=633http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=633Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:34:50 GMTI'd like to choose a suitable name for my colleagues, and self, who respond to educational need often at short notice. Not supply, with its harmful link to drugs! Not cover, with its insemination link! Not many names heard as we start a strange register! I'd like Para Teacher! Suggestions please. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=632http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=632Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:25:52 GMTFour young teachers from Leicester attended the recent Midlands' NUT Young Teachers' Weekend held in Birmingham. Come along to the next local NUT Association meeting on November 4th to hear about the event and find out how you can become more involved in local and national events for young teachers. Several newly qualified and young teachers from Leicester and Leicestershire enjoyed an evening at The Slug and Lettuce at the beginning of October. See our ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=631http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=631Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:22:33 GMTLeicester City Council has now stated publicly that they no longer favour the option of new academies in Leicester. This is fantastic news for all the students and staff at the schools that were threatened with privatisation. The collaborative work between schools continues to make it impossible to argue for privatisation of education in the city. Unfortunately, Leicester East MP, Keith Vaz, fails to see the benefit of this approach and was quoted in The Leicester Mercury, making outrageous comments about the approach being adopted. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=630http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=630Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:38:51 GMT