Following yesterday's debate, and my appearence at a press conference, there was really good coverage of the debate about homophobia.
The Independent ran a substantial article- which you can read here.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Conference Report: Monday 25th April 2011
A full day of debate began with motions on Employment Conditions and Rights. Once again the issue of Teacher Stress was highly prioritised. Former President of the NUT John Illingworth spoke of how the Health and Safety Executive recognises that teaching is the profession with the highest risk of stress-related illness, and yet the restrictions on the number of inspections the HSE can carry out means they are constrained in ensuring that schools follow their duties. John has undertaken a number pieces of research for the Union on Teacher Mental Health, including Crazy About Work, which you can read here.
Christine Blower commented that:
My colleague Angie Travis from Brighton and Hove moved a motion on Supply Teachers calling for a conference of NUT Supply teachers to address some of the attacks on pay, work opportunities and pension access for these members. You can read about some of Angie's work at the Supply Lines website, here.
Unfortunately I had to take part in a press conference regarding the LGBT Conference Motion during the next session of conference so I missed the inspirational speech by school student Joe Cotton, regarding the campaign to save the EMA. Joe was given a standing ovation by conference, and you can read the full speech here, or view it at the BBC Website:
The afternoon saw the debate on the motions submitted by the three Equality Conferences: Disabled Teachers, LGBT Teachers and Black Teachers. I chair the first two of these committees, and seconded both motions. The Disabled Teachers motion highlighted the threat from the Fit to Work Notes, and the need for training in this area, and the LGBT motion dealt with homophobia in religious schools. You can read my Disability speech here, and my LGBT one here. The Conference also agreed to set up a an advisory committee for teachers of African, African Caribbean and Asian Heritage.
The afternoon also saw debates on Women and the Comprehensive Spending Review, and the Threat of Islamophobia- and the union swiftly issued a powerful statement on the latter, saying:
Christine Blower commented that:
Lewes, Eastbourne and Wealden's motion on Teacher Workload was seconded by Phil Clarke, and called for the Union to draw up a model work-life balance policy, and for the union to be prepared to take action up to and including strike action in schools that make unreasonable workload demands on teachers.It is widely recognised that teaching is one of the most stressful professions to work in. Stress is the predominant cause of work-related illness in the education sector. Employers ought to be as keen as the NUT to address this problem, to protect the health of their staff but also to ensure that their schools are safe and productive environments for teaching and learning. It is their duty to ensure that stress risk assessments are carried out. Often head teachers have no proper guidance on how to carry out a risk assessment of any kind, let alone one on stress, which is far harder to assess than a straightforward accident hazard.
This is not a question of apportioning blame. Training is essential and employers should provide it. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has a role to play in ensuring this happens. However, with them facing budget cuts of 35% over the next four years, their resources will be stretched to the limit.
The Government’s agenda of undermining health and safety laws as mere ‘red tape’ will inevitably put more lives at risk. We know teaching is stressful, we know some of the causes; now we need to concentrate on what can be done to eliminate them"
My colleague Angie Travis from Brighton and Hove moved a motion on Supply Teachers calling for a conference of NUT Supply teachers to address some of the attacks on pay, work opportunities and pension access for these members. You can read about some of Angie's work at the Supply Lines website, here.
Unfortunately I had to take part in a press conference regarding the LGBT Conference Motion during the next session of conference so I missed the inspirational speech by school student Joe Cotton, regarding the campaign to save the EMA. Joe was given a standing ovation by conference, and you can read the full speech here, or view it at the BBC Website:
The afternoon saw the debate on the motions submitted by the three Equality Conferences: Disabled Teachers, LGBT Teachers and Black Teachers. I chair the first two of these committees, and seconded both motions. The Disabled Teachers motion highlighted the threat from the Fit to Work Notes, and the need for training in this area, and the LGBT motion dealt with homophobia in religious schools. You can read my Disability speech here, and my LGBT one here. The Conference also agreed to set up a an advisory committee for teachers of African, African Caribbean and Asian Heritage.
The afternoon also saw debates on Women and the Comprehensive Spending Review, and the Threat of Islamophobia- and the union swiftly issued a powerful statement on the latter, saying:
In the evening I spoke at the Disabled Teachers reception, where disability rights campaigner and NUT activist Richard Reiser gave a presentation about Disability History Month. You can read some of the materials and resources at Richard's site here.“The NUT is proud to be at the forefront of campaigning for equalities for all our children. Schools can provide the space and time to debate and learn about other cultures in an open and non-threatening environment.
It is therefore extremely important that teachers have the training and resources to tackle issues that face modern society in order to deal with them in a
constructive and informed fashion."
Conference Report: My speech on LGBT Motion
President, Conference, Dave Brinson, Chair of the LGBT Working Party, seconding motion 54.
As a gay teacher, I am proud to be a member of the NUT, a union passionately committed to equality; and we have come a long way together.
Our Union had the courage to publicly support LGBT teachers, and we’re out, proud and here to stay.
Our Union had the courage to support LGBT History Month, and now it’s even endorsed by the Prime Minster.
Our Union had the courage to speak out against Section 28, and now it’s been confined to the dustbin of history.
We’ve come a long way together.
But discrimination, intolerance and bigotry have not gone away. They are still there and need to be challenged.
They especially need to be challenged when they are cloaked in the thin veil of religious or faith-based freedom .
Conference, I want to take a moment to tell you what this motion is not.
This motion is not anti faith- there are many people of faith who vigorously oppose homophobia and prejudice in all of its forms. There are many LGB or T people who are also people of faith- I am one of them.
Nor is this motion anti-faith schools, and I hope it stays that way. I know of many church schools who do excellent anti-homophobia work. There are also schools, both faith based and secular who don’t and it is these who should be challenged.
We simply want- indeed demand that every school, whatever its ethos or structure should celebrate diversity, challenge discrimination and reject prejudice in all its forms.
The LGBT Working Party accepts the first amendment, which strengthens the main motion, not least by bringing in the issue of Free Schools, and how these threaten many hard-won gains towards equality.
However, we cannot accept the second amendment. (Note: This was trying to add a change of NUT Policy to opposing all faith schools) If you want a debate on Faith Schools, that’s fine, but submit it as a motion, and let members decide whether to prioritise it- don’t try and take over an Equalities Conference motion to introduce a different agenda.
If you expect all schools to challenge discrimination, promote diversity and be a safe space for LGBT students and teachers, then support this motion and the first amendment.
As a gay teacher, I am proud to be a member of the NUT, a union passionately committed to equality; and we have come a long way together.
Our Union had the courage to publicly support LGBT teachers, and we’re out, proud and here to stay.
Our Union had the courage to support LGBT History Month, and now it’s even endorsed by the Prime Minster.
Our Union had the courage to speak out against Section 28, and now it’s been confined to the dustbin of history.
We’ve come a long way together.
But discrimination, intolerance and bigotry have not gone away. They are still there and need to be challenged.
They especially need to be challenged when they are cloaked in the thin veil of religious or faith-based freedom .
Conference, I want to take a moment to tell you what this motion is not.
This motion is not anti faith- there are many people of faith who vigorously oppose homophobia and prejudice in all of its forms. There are many LGB or T people who are also people of faith- I am one of them.
Nor is this motion anti-faith schools, and I hope it stays that way. I know of many church schools who do excellent anti-homophobia work. There are also schools, both faith based and secular who don’t and it is these who should be challenged.
We simply want- indeed demand that every school, whatever its ethos or structure should celebrate diversity, challenge discrimination and reject prejudice in all its forms.
The LGBT Working Party accepts the first amendment, which strengthens the main motion, not least by bringing in the issue of Free Schools, and how these threaten many hard-won gains towards equality.
However, we cannot accept the second amendment. (Note: This was trying to add a change of NUT Policy to opposing all faith schools) If you want a debate on Faith Schools, that’s fine, but submit it as a motion, and let members decide whether to prioritise it- don’t try and take over an Equalities Conference motion to introduce a different agenda.
If you expect all schools to challenge discrimination, promote diversity and be a safe space for LGBT students and teachers, then support this motion and the first amendment.
Monday, 25 April 2011
Conference Report: My Speech on the Disability Motion
President, Conference, Dave Brinson, Chair of Disability Working Party, seconding Motion 53.
I want to focus on the Fit for Work system, and, as I was thinking about this speech I was looking for a good way in. I found one when I bought these socks. They were advertised as One Size Fits All.
That is what Fit to Work- like so many other Government policies is in danger of becoming.
GPs are being asked to make a sweeping judgment when a member has been off sick or with disability related absence, without necessarily having an understanding of the job, or the individual school circumstances.
This motion emphasises the need to adopt and promote the social rather than the medical model of disability. There are many skilled disabled teachers who are not currently in work.
Is this because their disability prevents them from teaching in school ?
Or is it because their school prevents them from teaching because of their disability ?
We must ensure that schools are made to take their obligation to make reasonable adjustments seriously.
Conference, we must also ask what is the political steer being given to the medical profession from Government ?
I was heartened, Madam President, that you spoke so eloquently and passionately about the Welfare State. But we now have a cabinet of millionaires determined to dismantle it, and the way they have focused their attacks on Disabled people has been shameful.
Is the government policy towards SEN students driven by a commitment to inclusion, or will this be undermined by the headlong rush towards deeper cuts ? Ask a specialist SEN teacher in local authority central services. If you can find one.
Some of you may be reassured that at least Disabled Teachers enjoy the protection of disability discrimination laws now enshrined in the Equality Act.
Think again.
The Government’s red tape challenge has a section on Equalities- the first question on that site is should the Equality regulations be scrapped altogether. Years of hard won rights eliminated at a single stroke.
Conference, please pass this motion, and get your colleagues divisions and associations to visit the Red Tape Challenge website and send a clear message to Government to keep their hands off our Equality legislation.
I want to focus on the Fit for Work system, and, as I was thinking about this speech I was looking for a good way in. I found one when I bought these socks. They were advertised as One Size Fits All.
That is what Fit to Work- like so many other Government policies is in danger of becoming.
GPs are being asked to make a sweeping judgment when a member has been off sick or with disability related absence, without necessarily having an understanding of the job, or the individual school circumstances.
This motion emphasises the need to adopt and promote the social rather than the medical model of disability. There are many skilled disabled teachers who are not currently in work.
Is this because their disability prevents them from teaching in school ?
Or is it because their school prevents them from teaching because of their disability ?
We must ensure that schools are made to take their obligation to make reasonable adjustments seriously.
Conference, we must also ask what is the political steer being given to the medical profession from Government ?
I was heartened, Madam President, that you spoke so eloquently and passionately about the Welfare State. But we now have a cabinet of millionaires determined to dismantle it, and the way they have focused their attacks on Disabled people has been shameful.
Is the government policy towards SEN students driven by a commitment to inclusion, or will this be undermined by the headlong rush towards deeper cuts ? Ask a specialist SEN teacher in local authority central services. If you can find one.
Some of you may be reassured that at least Disabled Teachers enjoy the protection of disability discrimination laws now enshrined in the Equality Act.
Think again.
The Government’s red tape challenge has a section on Equalities- the first question on that site is should the Equality regulations be scrapped altogether. Years of hard won rights eliminated at a single stroke.
Conference, please pass this motion, and get your colleagues divisions and associations to visit the Red Tape Challenge website and send a clear message to Government to keep their hands off our Equality legislation.
Conference Report: Sunday 24th April
A shorter day at Conference, to allow delegates to enjoy some of their Easter break !
A debate on representing members raised issues of casework capacity, especially given that many local officers and reps are now facing "plant bargaining" on a school-by-school basis, with the growth of academies, independent of Local Authorities and with attacks on facility time arrangements that allow officers paid time away from school to represent members.
The regular motion on Professional Unity was moved by Brent's Hank Roberts, who is also the current vice President of ATL, and has stood for office in NASUWT as part of his campaign for one union for all teachers (read about this at Unify: One Union). There was strong debate- particularly the contribution from Lucy Orchard, a supply teacher from Devon, who pointed out that Hank's latest call was for one union for all education staff- and she pointed out that the NUT was the only teaching or support staff union that had a policy of a qualified teacher for every class. The growth of cover supervisors and TAs teaching whole classes had all but destroyed the livelihood of supply teachers. The time for debate on this motion ran out, so will move into the unfinished business section on Tuesday.
Also, a long and vibrant debate reaffirmed the Union's total opposition to the Academy programme- and a commitment to campaign both on a school-by-school basis and nationally, including with strike action where the members in a school request it. There was a powerful speech by Alistair Smith- national secretary of the Anti-Academies Alliance.
In the evening, I attended the Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans Teachers reception, which was well attended as always- and we heard from guest speaker Claire Dimyon, campaigner for LGBT Rights and Pride particularly in Eastern Europe. Claire was awarded the MBE for services to the LGBT Community. She spoke to us, via the miracles of technology from Russia, via Skype, and told us of the powerful work she has been doing- you can read more at her PrideSolidarity website here. We also welcomed Tony Fenwick of Schools Out, who was able to tell us about forthcoming preparations for LGBT History Month.
A debate on representing members raised issues of casework capacity, especially given that many local officers and reps are now facing "plant bargaining" on a school-by-school basis, with the growth of academies, independent of Local Authorities and with attacks on facility time arrangements that allow officers paid time away from school to represent members.
The regular motion on Professional Unity was moved by Brent's Hank Roberts, who is also the current vice President of ATL, and has stood for office in NASUWT as part of his campaign for one union for all teachers (read about this at Unify: One Union). There was strong debate- particularly the contribution from Lucy Orchard, a supply teacher from Devon, who pointed out that Hank's latest call was for one union for all education staff- and she pointed out that the NUT was the only teaching or support staff union that had a policy of a qualified teacher for every class. The growth of cover supervisors and TAs teaching whole classes had all but destroyed the livelihood of supply teachers. The time for debate on this motion ran out, so will move into the unfinished business section on Tuesday.
Also, a long and vibrant debate reaffirmed the Union's total opposition to the Academy programme- and a commitment to campaign both on a school-by-school basis and nationally, including with strike action where the members in a school request it. There was a powerful speech by Alistair Smith- national secretary of the Anti-Academies Alliance.
In the evening, I attended the Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans Teachers reception, which was well attended as always- and we heard from guest speaker Claire Dimyon, campaigner for LGBT Rights and Pride particularly in Eastern Europe. Claire was awarded the MBE for services to the LGBT Community. She spoke to us, via the miracles of technology from Russia, via Skype, and told us of the powerful work she has been doing- you can read more at her PrideSolidarity website here. We also welcomed Tony Fenwick of Schools Out, who was able to tell us about forthcoming preparations for LGBT History Month.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Conference Report: Saturday 23rd April
Conference opened with an inspiring speech from new NUT President, Nina Franklin. Nina, a long serving Executive Member and secretary from Bristol spoke passionately in defence of the welfare state, of community schools and against the savage cuts agenda. She also talked about her work in promoting and inclusive and anti-racist curriculum.
Nina continued to promote the genuine alternative to the cuts in services, and highlighted the billions of pounds lost in unpaid, avoided and evaded taxes, and the cost of projects such as Trident. She reminded us that the so-called deficit is far smaller as a proportion of GDP than at the end of the second world war, when Britain created the NHS and the Welfare State. And she took a swipe at Cameron and Clegg's attitude to trade unionists:-
Saturday was the first day of policy debate, and what a packed day it was. My colleague Phil Clarke of the Lewes Eastbourne and Wealden association moved the first policy motion of the day against the cuts, which committed the Union to fighting to defend every job, top support brothers and sisters in other unions doing the same, and to be active in the setting up and resourcing of local Anti Cuts committees. There were also debates on the Economy, and on defending and regaining trade union rights.
The International Section debated the situation facing Women and Children in Palestine. A number of speakers gave moving accounts of their own experience, and the horrors of the treatment of child prisoners, with figures from the Defence of the Child International- Palestine
whose website is essential reading for all teachers who are concerned about the defence of children's human rights across the world.
Of course, the major event of the day was the debate on action to defend our pensions. The Executive brought a priority motion to call for a ballot of members to be held to take action in the Summer term. Every NUT member should already be aware of the issues around our pension- and I would urge you to visit the website, and in particular use the pensions calculator to work out the loss to your retirement income if the Government/Hutton recommendations are implemented.
The debate saw widespread agreement across all of the shades of opinion within the Union. Jerry Glazier and Ian Murch of the executive spoke, as did delegates from around the country. There was some dissent over tactics and language in some of the amendments, but on the principle of taking strike action and campaigning to defend our pensions, conference was overwhelmingly in favour (just two abstentions and no votes against.)
Preparations for the ballot- to take action alongside the ATL- will be put in place straight away. General Secretary Christine Blower told the press:
The session concluded with the presentation of the Accounts by national treasure Ian Murch, which, you will be relieved to hear I will not publish here, but I these will be available to all local divisions and associations following their adoption.
In the evening I was privileged to attend the union's International Dinner, where we met with the guests of the union from sister unions and others around the world. I was able to have a long and productive conversation with a brother from the German education union, who was particularly keen to hear about the LGBT equalities work we have been doing in the NUT.
Nina continued to promote the genuine alternative to the cuts in services, and highlighted the billions of pounds lost in unpaid, avoided and evaded taxes, and the cost of projects such as Trident. She reminded us that the so-called deficit is far smaller as a proportion of GDP than at the end of the second world war, when Britain created the NHS and the Welfare State. And she took a swipe at Cameron and Clegg's attitude to trade unionists:-
You can read the full text of Nina's speech here."I conclude with a thought and a quote. Cameron, Clegg and the right-wing media may dismiss us trade unionists as dinosaurs. Well, the dinosaurs ruled the earth for 160 million years. They were successful creatures well adapted to their environment and it took a giant asteroid from outer space to wipe them out. Mr Cameron, you are not in the same league as a giant asteroid from outer space.
The quote, inevitably, for all of those who know me, is from Bob Marley, that won’t come as any surprise. So Conference, let this be the year when we all join together to ‘get up, stand up, stand up for our rights’ and the year when we ‘get up, stand up and don’t give up the fight.' "
Saturday was the first day of policy debate, and what a packed day it was. My colleague Phil Clarke of the Lewes Eastbourne and Wealden association moved the first policy motion of the day against the cuts, which committed the Union to fighting to defend every job, top support brothers and sisters in other unions doing the same, and to be active in the setting up and resourcing of local Anti Cuts committees. There were also debates on the Economy, and on defending and regaining trade union rights.
The International Section debated the situation facing Women and Children in Palestine. A number of speakers gave moving accounts of their own experience, and the horrors of the treatment of child prisoners, with figures from the Defence of the Child International- Palestine
whose website is essential reading for all teachers who are concerned about the defence of children's human rights across the world.
Of course, the major event of the day was the debate on action to defend our pensions. The Executive brought a priority motion to call for a ballot of members to be held to take action in the Summer term. Every NUT member should already be aware of the issues around our pension- and I would urge you to visit the website, and in particular use the pensions calculator to work out the loss to your retirement income if the Government/Hutton recommendations are implemented.
The debate saw widespread agreement across all of the shades of opinion within the Union. Jerry Glazier and Ian Murch of the executive spoke, as did delegates from around the country. There was some dissent over tactics and language in some of the amendments, but on the principle of taking strike action and campaigning to defend our pensions, conference was overwhelmingly in favour (just two abstentions and no votes against.)
Preparations for the ballot- to take action alongside the ATL- will be put in place straight away. General Secretary Christine Blower told the press:
The Blair Peach Award was presented Jason Hill of Stoke-on-Trent NUT, for his tireless work against fascism, in an area where the BNP have local councillors and school governors. Blair Peach was an NUT activist and committed anti-fascist campaigner, who was murdered by members of the Metropolitain Police SPG in 1979, following a demnstration agains the fascist National Front. Blair's familiy have never seen the murderer brought to justice, but the NUT and the anti-fascist movement continue to honour his memory, and it is fitting that the Union has created this award to recognise outstanding work by others in equalities work. I was priviledged to sit on the panel that chose Jason as the recipient of the award.“Contrary to the Government’s myths, public sector pensions are affordable and they are most definitely not ‘gold plated’. The National Audit Office has confirmed that public sector pension costs are falling as expected due to the reforms already in place which include higher contributions, raising the pension age to 65 for new entrants and capping employer contributions.
The Government has already announced a 50% increase in pension contributions and changed the pensions link from RPI to CPI. This already stated desire to increase pension contributions by more than half will cost newly qualified teachers up to £61 a month and experienced classroom teachers up to £102 a month – an additional cost which will see many leaving the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme.
These measures will price many teachers and public sector workers out of pension schemes and lead to dependency on the state in old age. This is in no one’s interests. The real pension problem is in the private sector where two-thirds of employees are not in any employer-backed scheme. We need decent pensions for all.”
The session concluded with the presentation of the Accounts by national treasure Ian Murch, which, you will be relieved to hear I will not publish here, but I these will be available to all local divisions and associations following their adoption.
In the evening I was privileged to attend the union's International Dinner, where we met with the guests of the union from sister unions and others around the world. I was able to have a long and productive conversation with a brother from the German education union, who was particularly keen to hear about the LGBT equalities work we have been doing in the NUT.
Gremlins-
Dear all,
Because of gremlins in the system, it has been difficult to upload my exec reports from Conference. I should be sorted out by tomorrow morning, and will update you on the developments from Conference then. Twitter still happening !
Dave
Because of gremlins in the system, it has been difficult to upload my exec reports from Conference. I should be sorted out by tomorrow morning, and will update you on the developments from Conference then. Twitter still happening !
Dave
Friday, 22 April 2011
Conference Report: Friday 22nd April 2011
The NUT Annual Conference 2011 was officially opened on Friday afternoon.
The opening afternoon is not traditionally a session for policy debates, rather setting up the business for the days to come. Gill Goodswen, the 2010 President opened the conference, and there were greetings on behalf of the people of Harrogate from the Mayor Councillor Bill Hoult. Gill then installed the new President for the coming year- Nina Franklin.
Hazel Danson moved a vote of thanks for Gill's service over the past year, praising her commitment to the equalities agenda, and quoted LGBT campaigner Jeff Evans, who had written of Gill that "her member-centred approach was an invigorating breath of fresh air."
This year, the guests of sister trade unions and other organisations from the British Isles were represented by Mary Boustead, the General Secretary of the ATL. She thanked the NUT for the opportunity of getting together, listening and sharing, and reported on how her own conference had voted to take strike action over pensions- a decision unanimously supported by their executive. Mary pointed out the need for the unions to work together, saying: "If we don't hang together, we'll hang separately." She condemned the cynical mantra of the Cabinet of Millionaires that "We're all in it together" Mary was given a well-deserved standing ovation by the Conference. You can read the full text of her speech here
Lily Eskelon addressed Conference on behalf of the international guests- the current vice-president of the US National Education Association. She noted that in Britain at the moment there were a lot of noisy people on the streets to celebrate "somebody's wedding", and reminded us that in the US, there had been a lot of noisy people on the streets of Wisonsin: teachers and others defending their trade union rights. She told us of shared experiences over class size, lack of resource, and not being able to teach what inspired her children because it "wasn't in the standardised test." She reminded us of the need to defend unions, because if politicians succeed in destroying trade unions "the only organised power will be those who can organise money."
John Bills reported on the work of the Teacher Support Network over the past year, and showed a new video on TSN's work, which you can view here.
The National and Regional Membership Development Awards were presented, including the SE award for Isle of Wight President Dominic Coughlin.
Finally, the Fred and Anne Jarvis Award was made to Professor Robin Alexander, of the Cambridge Primary Review. Nina, introduced Robin as a powerful advocate of Early Years and Primary practice, as a man who really understood how children learn, and somebody who anyone who wanted to improve their practice needed to listen to.
Robin made a powerful acceptance speech, acknowledging that this was not just for him but for all of the organisations who had suppurated his work on the Cambridge Review, including the NUT. He said that we needed to ask three questions:
How well is the English education system doing ?
How can it be improved ?
What do children need to learn to meet the challenges of the modern world ?
Sadly, he felt, successive governments have only been interested in asking the first two questions. The trend was not for evidence based policy, but seeking policy based evidence, and simply ignoring or seeking to discredit any evidence that went against government policy of the time.
The opening afternoon is not traditionally a session for policy debates, rather setting up the business for the days to come. Gill Goodswen, the 2010 President opened the conference, and there were greetings on behalf of the people of Harrogate from the Mayor Councillor Bill Hoult. Gill then installed the new President for the coming year- Nina Franklin.
Hazel Danson moved a vote of thanks for Gill's service over the past year, praising her commitment to the equalities agenda, and quoted LGBT campaigner Jeff Evans, who had written of Gill that "her member-centred approach was an invigorating breath of fresh air."
This year, the guests of sister trade unions and other organisations from the British Isles were represented by Mary Boustead, the General Secretary of the ATL. She thanked the NUT for the opportunity of getting together, listening and sharing, and reported on how her own conference had voted to take strike action over pensions- a decision unanimously supported by their executive. Mary pointed out the need for the unions to work together, saying: "If we don't hang together, we'll hang separately." She condemned the cynical mantra of the Cabinet of Millionaires that "We're all in it together" Mary was given a well-deserved standing ovation by the Conference. You can read the full text of her speech here
Lily Eskelon addressed Conference on behalf of the international guests- the current vice-president of the US National Education Association. She noted that in Britain at the moment there were a lot of noisy people on the streets to celebrate "somebody's wedding", and reminded us that in the US, there had been a lot of noisy people on the streets of Wisonsin: teachers and others defending their trade union rights. She told us of shared experiences over class size, lack of resource, and not being able to teach what inspired her children because it "wasn't in the standardised test." She reminded us of the need to defend unions, because if politicians succeed in destroying trade unions "the only organised power will be those who can organise money."
John Bills reported on the work of the Teacher Support Network over the past year, and showed a new video on TSN's work, which you can view here.
The National and Regional Membership Development Awards were presented, including the SE award for Isle of Wight President Dominic Coughlin.
Finally, the Fred and Anne Jarvis Award was made to Professor Robin Alexander, of the Cambridge Primary Review. Nina, introduced Robin as a powerful advocate of Early Years and Primary practice, as a man who really understood how children learn, and somebody who anyone who wanted to improve their practice needed to listen to.
Robin made a powerful acceptance speech, acknowledging that this was not just for him but for all of the organisations who had suppurated his work on the Cambridge Review, including the NUT. He said that we needed to ask three questions:
How well is the English education system doing ?
How can it be improved ?
What do children need to learn to meet the challenges of the modern world ?
Sadly, he felt, successive governments have only been interested in asking the first two questions. The trend was not for evidence based policy, but seeking policy based evidence, and simply ignoring or seeking to discredit any evidence that went against government policy of the time.
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Annual Conference 2011
The first year I went to NUT conference, I realised that what was being reported on TV and in the press bore little resemblence to the uplifting debates that I had sat through.
The following year, the Daily Express even reported (in scandalised tones) on a debate that, due to the agenda running late, hadn't even taken place !
For those of you who would like to read about the reality of our conference- the thoughtful, passionate and principled debates among dedicated professionals with a passion for education- I will be publishing my Conference Report online here every evening. You can also follow on Twitter at #davebrinson.
NUT Conference opens on Friday 22nd April, and closes on Tuesday 26th April.
The following year, the Daily Express even reported (in scandalised tones) on a debate that, due to the agenda running late, hadn't even taken place !
For those of you who would like to read about the reality of our conference- the thoughtful, passionate and principled debates among dedicated professionals with a passion for education- I will be publishing my Conference Report online here every evening. You can also follow on Twitter at #davebrinson.
NUT Conference opens on Friday 22nd April, and closes on Tuesday 26th April.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
