Leicester NUT Newsletter http://www.leicesternut.org.uk Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:12:55 GMT Tue, 09 Oct 2007 09:00:00 GMTThe new Government have immediately made their intentions very clear regarding education. The privatisation of education and the destruction of local support for schools in the form of academies and 'free schools' is the first wave of an assault on our education system. Cuts to services and an attack on our 'gold plated' pensions will come soon no doubt. Have a great holiday and let's be ready in September to start the fight back against any attack on comprehensive education. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=681http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=681Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:57:54 GMTJenny Day, currently Leicester NUT President, became an Assistant Secretary at the last Annual General Meeting. From September, she will be joining myself, Peter Flack and Andy Haynes (H&S Advisor) when she works in the NUT Office for three days per week. I know that she will be a great addition to our team. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=680http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=680Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:57:36 GMTJane Rudon, who retires this summer, taught in Leicester from 1973 and has been an integral part of Leicester NUT since, at least, 1990 when I moved to the city. She has been Secretary of Leicester NUT since 1996 and has also been President, Minuting Secretary and Assistant Secretary. Initially Jane shared the Secretary role with Andrew Hind, before taking over in her own right in 1997. For the past eighteen months, I have been privileged to share the role with her. Working so closely with Jane for three days a week has given me an insight into the completely professional way in which she works. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=679http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=679Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:55:37 GMTAfter 37 years working for Leicester City Council (and Leicestershire when the city was part of the county), I have decided to call it a day and take early retirement. I taught for many years in a few schools, the most memorable being the years I spent at Abbey Primary School. You can tell I'm from another generation because I really see the years in the 70s and early 80s as the 'golden years'. I know schools were not perfect then, but the pressure was not so intense and I think the children and staff were happier than now. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=678http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=678Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:54:41 GMTForty NUT members enjoyed last week's Leicester NUT annual quiz. Soar Valley College had to hand over the trophy to a victorious Gateway Sixth Form College team. Another team from Gateway came second! Despite having only three members of their team, and a disappointing round on Tommy Cooper jokes, their knowledge of British birds and cocktails saw them run in as easy winners! Here they proudly display the hideous trophy. More pictures are in our members section – email ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=677http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=677Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:44:56 GMTThe NUT both locally and nationally take equality issues very seriously and Leicester NUT intends to make this the focus of our first association meeting of the Autumn term, on 29th September. Our local Equal Opportunities Officer is Alicia McElhill. Alicia will be coordinating the arrangements for delegates from Leicester who may wish the attend any of the three national NUT equalities conferences that take place during the year. If you are interested in going to the Black Teachers', LGBT or Disabled Teachers' conference please ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=676http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=676Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:39:09 GMTThere are a couple of things that should be happening at this time of year. Your school's breakdown of 195 days and 1265 hours should be negotiated. If you have not started this process, ask your NUT rep to approach your headteacher. There is a model breakdown available. Please contact the NUT Office if you would like us to send you a copy. Also, every school's Governing Body's Pay Committee has a statutory duty to review each teacher's pay annually. This includes movement up the Main Pay Scale and the Upper Pay Scale. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=675http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=675Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:37:46 GMTIf you have clocked up a few years working for Leicester City Council you may be entitled to a long service award. Before 2006, Leicester City Council operated a system whereby employees with long service received an award on retirement. With effect from the 1st February 2006 this system was superseded by a scheme which rewards employees after they have been employed by the Council for 25 years, with a further gift on reaching 35 years service. In addition a small gift (to the value of £100) will be awarded on retirement. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=674http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=674Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:32:34 GMT1. General Election Christine Blower reported on the general election. Michael Gove asked to meet with Christine Blower on Friday 14th May. Michael Gove has said that the conservatives favour schools having greater control over their curriculum. We can use this as an opportunity to show how we would see that working – ie The Cambridge Review. It seems likely that the new government will attack our pensions. There is some good information on the TUC website myth-busting some of the misconceptions about public sector pensions. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=673http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=673Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:30:39 GMT'Everybody's Reading' is part of 'Whatever It Takes,' the pioneering scheme to get every primary school child in Leicester reading. It is organised in partnership with the Schools Development Support Agency, Literature Network and Leicester Libraries. 'Everybody's Reading' will take place over nine days, between the 2nd and 10th October 2010. What will be happening during 'Everybody's Reading'? Nine days of events held all over the city, from schools, libraries and community centres, to theatres, shops and restaurants. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=672http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=672Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:17:56 GMTRush to 'opt out' must be challenged The Government threatens that your school could become an academy this term! The government has announced that all schools will be able to become academies, and those judged to be 'outstanding' by Ofsted will be automatically approved and fast-tracked. The government is trying to rush legislation through Parliament to allow schools to make decisions about this before the end of term, and Michael Gove has written to all schools inviting them to become an academy. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=671http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=671Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:57:45 GMTThe NUT and NAHT are calling on their members to refuse to cooperate with the administration of Key Stage 2 test. Both unions believe SATs are bad for children, bad for teachers, bad for education and bad for communities because they: • are stressful for children, parents and teachers; • are inaccurate – teacher assessment has been proved to be more reliable; • undermine the morale of too many children; • encourage teaching to the test, squeezing out time for creative subjects and sports; • provide unreliable data which is used to judge unfairly school performance, putting teachers' and school leaders' jobs at risk; • are used to create league tables of schools which do little more than reflect the wealth of the families whose children they educate. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=670http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=670Thu, 06 May 2010 21:43:43 GMTWhat action are head teacher and leadership members being asked to take? Prior to 4 May, you should continue to undertake all professional/statutory duties relating to the national curriculum test, including those outlined in the QCDA Guide to handling test papers and scripts. From 4 May, head teacher and leadership members are asked to take the following action: • refuse to follow the test opening, checking and administrative procedures; • refuse to carry out the 2010 tests; • refuse to ensure that all eligible and able pupils take the test. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=669http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=669Thu, 06 May 2010 21:41:29 GMT Seven of us travelled to Stoke on Sunday to join scores of others, including NUT General Secretary Kevin Courtney, leafleting against the BNP. There are currently nine BNP councillors in Stoke and they have wormed their way onto Education Committees and as school governors. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=668http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=668Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:39:10 GMTMembers of the NUT and NAHT have voted to boycott key stage 2 SATs. The NUT balloted members paid on the leadership scale in primary schools where SATs would be taking place. The action will involve head teachers refusing to open the SATs papers. If this happens in sufficient schools, we are confident that the impact will render league tables meaningless. Christine Blower, General Secretary of the NUT, said: "We would like to see the next government introduce a national sampling system for English and mathematics tests in year 6, which they have already done for science in year 6 and for all subjects in year 9. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=667http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=667Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:23:27 GMTChaired by City NUT President Jenny Day, members of the NUT and UNISON from the city and county quizzed four prospective parliamentary candidates on their personal and party's policies on education and public services. Peter Soulsby, standing for Labour in Leicester South, Jane Hunt, standing for Conservative in Leicester East, Steve Score, standing for a Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition party in Leicester West, and Mo Taylor, standing for the Greens in Leicester West, debated for two hours on Wednesday night. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=666http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=666Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:36:14 GMTMembers of the leadership team in Primary Schools are being balloted at the moment over Key Stage 2 SATs. If you haven't yet voted, please remember to do so by the deadline of 16th April. Former Children's Laureate, Michael Rosen, supports our campaign to end SATs. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=665http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=665Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:19:36 GMTThe annual national young teachers' conference is open to all in service NUT members aged 35 or under. The conference aims to: • Encourage young members to become active in the union and its campaigns at school, association, regional and national levels; • Support young members who are already active in the Union; • Encourage young teachers to get involved in campaigns and lead campaigns specifically related to young teachers; and • Address issues young teachers raise in their local areas There will be a range of key note speakers, topical workshops and task group sessions. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=664http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=664Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:18:48 GMTNine delegates from Leicester travelled to Liverpool over the Easter weekend to represent NUT members at the Annual Conference. A busy five days can only be summarised in this newsletter but if you wish to find out more and question delegates about the conference come along to the next general meeting on May 5th. Workload Delegates unanimously passed a motion calling on the government to directly negotiate with unions over workload, a moratorium on new initiatives and an end to excessive assessments such as APP. ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=663http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=663Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:38:05 GMTPeter SoulsbyLabour candidate for Leicester South ...http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=662http://www.leicesternut.org.uk/news.htm?news_id=662Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:52:19 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 GMT