Dear Members
Since we last wrote to you, we hope you have had a restful half term break and that your return to school has been safe. We would like to say thank you for everything you have done and continue to do in these challenging times.
NASUWT has provided updated advice for members following the publication of new DfE guidance for schools during the lockdown. We will continue to keep our members updated via the COVID-19 section of our website.
While the guidance contains some further steps for clinically extremely vulnerable teachers and on the wearing of masks in secondary schools, it does not go far enough and the NASUWT is pressing the Government for more robust measures to protect all staff and prevent virus spread within schools and colleges.
Health and Safety Update – Updated risk assessments
The NASUWT expects schools and colleges to now be carrying out fresh risk assessments and updating their Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) in light of the increased level of COVID-19 cases across the country and to explain to staff and parents the additional safety measures they are putting into place to prevent the spread of the virus.
We also expect all schools and colleges to ensure they review the individual risk assessments (i.e. VERAs) for all staff considered ‘at risk’ and in line with the advice we have issued and the Coventry Education Partnership. Please see the email sent to all members on 9th November 2020 for the advice from the Coventry Education Partnership and Coventry Local Authority.
Our General Secretary has written to Local Authority Directors of Education/Children Services, Multi-Academy Trust CEOs and Independent Schools to state our position.
Where members have concerns about risk assessments or safety mitigations in their workplace they should visit our Coronavirus hub to check our advice and contact the NASUWT for further help if necessary. Also members can use the Incident Report Form in School.
Positive Youth Foundation/Coventry City Council – ‘Own your Space’
Positive Youth Foundation have put together an excellent two minute video (with the support of Coventry City Council) called “Own your space”.
This raises awareness of the importance of COVID-19 prevention measures in our everyday lives and interactions i.e. Hands, Face, Space in a relatable and creative way. Please share with your school community as appropriate (e.g. secondary age and upper end of primary).
Nominations for Coventry Local Association Officers
Members of the NASUWT who are teachers represent, support, and advise other members of the Union. Annually you can elect your Local Association Officers and Executive Committee, who meet between General Meetings to carry out the business of the NASUWT in Coventry. Please refer to the email sent on Monday 9th November to all members for further details..
The Coventry Local Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Tuesday 9th March 2021 at 5pm (Venue: TBC). Please add this date to your diary – we hope that you can attend. All Coventry Local Association NASUWT members are welcome.
Click here for the current agenda for the AGM and other meetings this academic year.
New NASUWT Coventry Website
We have launched a new website to keep our members in Coventry informed. The website will have the latest information, advice, and guidance – www.nasuwtcoventry.org. Please bookmark the website and provide us with any feedback to our new email address: office@nasuwtcoventry.org. Also please follow us on Twitter @NASUWTCoventry.
Black History Month 2020
To raise awareness and celebrate Black History Month in October we released an article on our website which featured our colleagues Ava Verrier and Jennifer Moses. Click here to read.
Save Union Learning
The government’s plans to cut the Union Learning Fund in England means hundreds of thousands of workers will miss out on skills and training. Sign the petition calling on the government to reverse cuts to union learning and ensure working people can access education and skills training. The government’s plan to cut the Union Learning Fund means the future of people learning at work is at serious risk. It is a crucial program for lifelong learners which provides education for workers. We must #SaveUnionLearning.
Sign the petition now
National Hate Crime Awareness Week
10th October to 17th October 2020
Hate crime has a lasting impact on victims and those close to them. Hate crime is a term used to describe a range of criminal behaviour where the perpetrator demonstrates hostility towards a victim’s race, disability, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity. A hate crime can include verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, assault and bullying, as well as damages to property.
Coventry City Council together with its partners has produced this film which highlights the harms of hate crime and encourages the reporting of all hate crime and incidents.
Supply Teachers
Supply teacher members, when agreeing to take up an offer of supply work, are advised to:
- make sure they request an updated copy of the school’s risk assessment and that COVID-19 safety procedures are made available to them on or, where possible, before their arrival at the school;
- ask, in addition to the general risk assessment, for an individual risk assessment (i.e. VERA) if they have an underlying health condition, a disability, are pregnant and/or are from a BAME background.
Click here and here for the latest Health and Safety advice for Supply Teachers.
Click here for the Supply Teachers Checklist.
Furthermore, the NASUWT has written to Ministers to raise concerns about the Furlough scheme: Letter to Secretary of State – Supply Teachers – 18th October 2020
Equalities
Young Teachers’ Consultation Conference
Saturday 5 December, 9.30am to 4pm
This year’s Young Teachers’ Consultation Conference will be delivered virtually via a Zoom webinar. Members will still be able to take part in a range of workshops exploring issues of affecting younger teachers and also hear from our General Secretary Patrick Roach. Members wishing to attend should register their interest via the Conference and Events Team at conferenceandevents@mail.nasuwt.org.uk, with their full name, membership number and postcode.
NQTs and Students
The NASUWT provided free continuing professional development webinars throughout summer 2020 for student teachers and newly qualified teachers, covering issues such as effective strategies for managing pupil behaviour in the classroom environment.
We have now launched our autumn series of professional development student webinars on voice care and e-safety. Visit the Student Hub to find out more details and register.
CPD and Training
Reps introductory training
Tuesday 17th November 2020 & Tuesday 24th November 2020
A two-part online course for members interested in becoming workplace representatives or who have recently taken on the role. Members will need to attend both evening sessions.
The training is relevant to all new reps across the UK who have not previously undertaken any rep training.
For more information and to register please email equalityandtraining@mail.nasuwt.org.uk with your full name, membership number and postcode.
Webinar programme
Our 30-minute programme of member webinars continues. Each event offers tailored advice in the context of the current COVID-19 situation and the opportunity to ask questions.
Pensions entitlements – Tuesday 10th November 2020 at 7pm
Remote learning – Thursday 12th November 2020 at 7pm
COVID-19 support for vulnerable groups – Tuesday 17th November 2020 at 7pm
Leadership support – Thursday 19th November 2020 at 7pm
Nationally, the NASUWT continues to engage with the Government including writing to Ministers:
Letter to Secretary of State – Remote Learning/Union Learning – 26th October 2020
Letter to Secretary of State – Case data – 19th October 2020
Letter to Secretary of State – Health and Safety / Equalities – 16th October 2020
The NASUWT continues to also engage regionally and locally and we are committed to doing all we can to support the safe running of schools for you and for your pupils. Protecting your health, safety and welfare is our priority.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for help, advice, and support by emailing advice@mail.nasuwt.org.uk.
Keep safe.
NASUWT Coventry 