Dear Member,
We hope you are well. As we come to the end of an exceptional academic year, we wanted to provide you with an update. We appreciate how hard you have worked this year and we thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. The Union will keep you informed of developments and you are requested to please continue to monitor your emails and the NASUWT website for updates.
We have continued to support members with issues locally and engaging with employers. We have also been providing guidance to schools, supporting them with their risk assessments, Equality Impact Assessments and plans for wider reopening in September. Nationally, the Union has continued to support members by issuing guidance, providing support via the AdviceLine and hosting virtual webinars.
We have had webinars on a range of topics such as Risk Assessments, BAME, Self-Audit Checklists, Health & Safety, Accountability, Remote Learning, Leadership, Performance Management and others. To catch up with previous webinars click here. Please view them as they cover important topics and may answer any questions, queries or concerns you may have. Also, our website has a wealth of information in the Coronavirus Hub including the self-audit letters, Health & Safety Checklist and the FAQs to help support you.
On the 2nd July 2020, the Department for Education (DfE) published its detailed guidance to support schools and colleges to fully reopen in September and for early years and childcare providers to do so from 20th July. The NASUWT has reviewed the DfE Guidance in detail and has produced the following briefing in response. We have also produced this briefing on minimising racial disparities under the Equalities Act 2010. The contents of both briefings have been shared with all schools in Coventry.
We have been clear that there should be no expectation from employers that either teachers or headteachers will be available during the Summer holiday period to work on the arrangements for September. If the planning has not been concluded by the end of term, then the timetable for the admission of pupils at the start of term will need to be deferred.
The NASUWT will continue to work with employers at local, regional, and national level to represent and protect the interests of members. We will be away from the office over the Summer Break until we return in September but we wanted to assure you that NASUWT is still operational through Headquarters and the Regional Centre throughout the holidays and the following information should help you:
- In order to ensure you continue to have the most up to date information on the coronavirus, we would ask that look at the website in the first instance. If a general query relating to schools and the coronavirus is not answered on the website then please contact the Members Support Team at advice@mail.nasuwt.org.uk and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
- If you require urgent support we would ask that you email rc-westmids@mail.nasuwt.org.uk with the necessary details.
- Criminal Support – Throughout the holiday period NASUWT members requiring urgent legal assistance because of a criminal allegation being made against them which is related to their teaching employment should contact Thompsons Solicitors on the following freephone number 0800 587 7530.
You will have received an email from our General Secretary, Dr. Patrick Roach on 14th July about being a delegate at next year’s Annual Conference in Gateshead being held from 2nd-5th April 2021. Please follow the instructions in the email if you would like to attend.
The dates for the Coventry Local Association General Members Meetings are as follows:
- Tuesday 6th October 2020 at 5.00pm – 6.30pm (Virtual)
- Tuesday 9th March 2021 – AGM – at 5.00pm – 7.00pm (Venue to confirmed)
- Tuesday 22nd June 2021 at 5.00pm – 6.30pm (Venue to be confirmed)
If you have any issues or concerns, email advice@mail.nasuwt.org.uk.
We hope you have a safe and restful summer break.
NASUWT Coventry 