Dear Members,
As we come to the end of this half term, we wanted to provide you with an update. We appreciate how hard you have worked this half term and we thank you for everything you have done and continue to do.
Coventry School Foundation Strike Action
Members at Bablake School, Bablake Junior School, King Henry VIII School and King Henry VIII Prep School in Coventry took the first of ten planned days of strike action yesterday over plans to restructure the Foundation, which would result in significant detriment for staff and potential job loss.
The employer has failed to consult with NASUWT members over the plans, despite the potentially serious implications for their jobs and livelihoods.
Click here for further details
Stop fire and rehire
Employers are increasingly threatening teachers with dismissal if they refuse to accept changes to their contracts which would mean worse pay, pensions and rights at work.
The NASUWT is campaigning to STOP the use of Fire and Rehire. Please join us by emailing your MP to ask them to call for an end to this unfair practice.
Curriculum
Arts & creative subjects must be protected in the curriculum
The NASUWT believes that every pupil must have the opportunity to access the arts and creative learning as part of the core curriculum. We are campaigning for arts and creativity to be recognised as vital to the academic and emotional recovery of pupils from the pandemic.
We’re inviting members to help us spotlight the importance of the arts in the curriculum on Friday 28 May. Simply post photos and videos of your pupils’ artworks, dance, drama and music on social media using the hashtag #EduArtsFest and help us share the creative talent of our pupils and teachers.
Grading advice
Support and advice is available to members currently engaged in the process of determining grades for pupils who would have been due to sit GCSEs and A Levels this summer.
Contact us if you have concerns about the handling of the grading process by your school or college.
Campaigning for you
You can now check out our campaign plan which sets out how we will be addressing the issues members identified as their top concerns at our recent Annual Conference.
Watch highlights of the Conference in our new video
Let’s give thanks
Get involved with Thank You Day on 4 July when everyone around the country is being encouraged to get together and say thank you to those that have helped us through the pandemic, from frontline workers to friends and neighbours.
Sexual harassment survey
We’re working with BBC Radio 4’s File on 4 programme, looking at sexual harassment of pupils and staff in schools. We’d like to hear members’ views and experiences.
The Big Ask
The Children’s Commissioner for England is asking teachers to support pupils to take part in The Big Ask, a survey to find out children’s concerns and aspirations.
Survey and accompanying teaching resources
Local Association Meetings
The next meeting of our Local Association will be held on Tuesday 22nd June 2021 starting at 5pm on Zoom. Please add this date to your diary – we hope that you can attend. All Coventry Local Association NASUWT members are welcome. Registration details and the final agenda will be shared after the half term break.
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
Equalities
Disabled Teachers’ Consultation Conference – Saturday 12th June 2021
This conference is an opportunity for members with disabilities to network, get advice and inform the NASUWT’s work to tackle disability discrimination.
Book now or email conferencesandevents@mail.nasuwt.org.uk with your NASUWT membership number.
Equalities Training and Development Day – Thursday 17 June 2021
The day will include a keynote address from the General Secretary, Dr Patrick Roach, as well as a series of workshops/webinars on the following:
- Intersex – an introduction
- Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month (GRTHM)
- The unequal impact of COVID on members with protected characteristics
The event will also include a legal update and a presentation on the equalities work of the Union.
The Conference will be a webinar event and will be delivered via Zoom.
To register your interest, please email the Conference and Events Team
at conferences.events@mail.nasuwt.org.uk .
Health and Safety
Sickness Absence Policies
All employers will have policies and procedures to manage employees’ sickness absence. However, these will have been written for a pre-COVID landscape. Sickness absence policies will need to be adapted to account for COVID-related illness, and especially to take account of long-COVID, where employees continue to experience symptoms for weeks or months after the initial infection.
This checklist has been devised to aid in the process of negotiating amendments/addenda to sickness absence policies with employers and sets out the NASUWT’s expectations. We will be sharing this with all employers including the Local Authority in Coventry.
COVID-19 Infection Register
The NASUWT has set up this essential tool for members who have contracted COVID-19 to record and report details of infection and whether it was work-related. The register will be used to monitor the number of members reporting COVID-19 infections which will be used to inform the Union’s position.
Click here to access
Workload
A group of Trade Union (including NASUWT), Local Authority and Headteacher representatives has met regularly over the last few years to ensure that the workload agenda retains a high profile in Coventry.
During this time, we have introduced the Workload Charter which several schools have piloted and then adopted in their schools. We are looking to relaunch the Workload Charter in September and are encouraging our members, Workplace Reps and Health & Safety Reps to encourage Headteachers to adopt the charter in their school. We will share further information about the relaunch next half term but in the meantime your school would like more information, please get in touch.
Health and Safety Seminar – Friday 9th July 2021
This seminar will include all the latest advice and developments for reps and members with an interest in workplace health and safety.
This is an opportunity to take part in Q&A sessions, share best practice and get support, all delivered virtually.
Reserve your spot
CPD and Training
Reps’ Training Day – Friday 9th July 2021
We wanted to give advance notice that NASUWT Solihull are planning to host a Reps’ Training Day on Friday 9th July 2021 from 9am to 3.30pm at the Holiday Inn Express, Birmingham NEC, Bickenhill Parkway, B40 1QA. The training day is for Workplace Reps and Contacts, Health & Safety Reps, ULRs and aspiring Workplace Reps.
It is currently a full day physical event and although not finalised yet is set to include:
- An outside speaker for wellbeing
- Wesleyan Financial Advice on Pensions (a beginners guide)
- A preventative approach to mental health in schools
- Managing behaviour in light of COVID-19
- The importance of risk assessments
- Local issues
- and a wellbeing treat!
If you would like to take part, then please contact us. You can find further details in this flyer.
New Teacher Seminar – Saturday 26th June 2021
This will be a webinar day designed to support NQTs in developing their skills and confidence.
Sessions will include dealing with anxiety and trauma in pupils, what to expect from performance management and teacher wellbeing.
Book your place
Qualifying this summer?
Free online CPD events are taking place this summer for teachers starting their first posts. Events covering:
- behaviour management
- voice care
- induction
- staying safe online
Visit our website to book
COVID-19 advice and guidance
Our latest advice and guidance for members on Covid safety and the arrangements which should be in place in schools and colleges can be found at our Coronavirus Hub.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions section for answers to common work-related questions during the pandemic.
The NASUWT will continue to work with employers at local, regional, and national level to represent and protect the interests of our members.
We will be away from the office over the half term break, 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, we would ask that look at the website in the first instance. If a general query relating to schools is not answered on the website, then please contact the Member Support Advice 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.
The Union will continue to keep you informed of developments and you are requested to please continue to monitor your emails and the NASUWT website for updates. This website will also have the latest updates for Coventry members.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for help, advice, and support by emailing
advice@mail.nasuwt.org.uk.
We wish you a safe and restful half term break.
NASUWT Coventry 