Dear Member,
We appreciate how hard you have worked this term and we thank you for everything you have done and continue to do.
Membership Records
It is particularly important that all members keep their membership record up to date particularly workplace details and email addresses. We advise members to use personal email addresses and not their workplace emails as often bulk emails that we send end up being blocked by email filtering systems that may be in place. This can be done by logging in to the e-membership section of the NASUWT website or by contacting the Membership Department at membership@mail.nasuwt.org.uk.
COVID-19 Update
You will be aware of the removal of legal restrictions around COVID-19. Since our last update, the union has released updated guidance and the Government has released its guidance on symptoms for respiratory illnesses including Covid-19, Living with Covid-19 testing and Emergency planning and response for education, childcare, and children’s social care settings.
Despite the removal of restrictions, Government advice is still to observe self-isolation when infected and/or symptomatic, and it is important that the NASUWT seeks to ensure that schools are following this guidance to protect members. The Union is concerned that some schools and employers may opt to defy Government guidance and encourage staff and pupils to attend the workplace, even when infected with COVID-19.
It is therefore important that NASUWT Workplace Representatives and members engage with schools/employers in order to obtain the following assurances:
- The school/employer will continue to require that anyone who is symptomatic and/or has had a positive test does not attend school and remains in self-isolation for the recommended period.
- Where staff members are self-isolating, they will receive full pay and the period of absence will not be counted towards sick-pay entitlements or absence-management review points.
- Individual risk assessments (i.e. VERAs) for clinically vulnerable people, including pregnant women, continue to be updated.
To assist in your engagement, a model letter for schools/employers has been produced, which colleagues may use if they wish to. This can be downloaded from the NASUWT website from here.
If any employers/schools react negatively to these requests, this should be reported to your National Executive Member, especially if the school/employer is requiring symptomatic/infected people to attend the workplace.
If any further advice and guidance is available for our members it will be shared so, please keep an eye an out for our emails. This will also be shared on our Local Association website at www.nasuwtcoventry.org and the National Union website at www.nasuwt.org.uk.
Survey on Covid outbreaks and medical support for teachers
Last week most of the remaining legal COVID restrictions came to an end in the UK and at the same time we are seeing high levels of COVID infections due to the new Omicron variant, the NASUWT is keen to hear from members about their experience of COVID outbreaks in Schools so far this year and how these are managed.
Our survey also focuses on your personal experience of COVID and how schools provide wider medical support for teachers. The NASUWT will use your responses in our ongoing dialogue with Government on COVID and wider medical support for teachers
The survey is now open and can be accessed in the email. Do fill it in if you can!
Big Question Survey 2022
It is more important than ever for you to share your experiences of teaching through the NASUWT’s Big Question Survey.
The Big Question is the only annual, national survey of teachers and headteachers. Your responses will provide a unique insight into the challenges faced during this unprecedented year.
Click here to complete the survey
Teachers’ Pay 2022
We are seeking a multi-year pay award, starting with a 12% rise from September 2022, for teachers in England to tackle the years of real-terms pay erosion and the rising cost of living.
Teachers’ Pension 2022
Due to the pay freeze, some members’ pensions may be adversely affected.
Members who have been teaching before 2015 should ask their headteacher if they will provide them with a salary uplift of at least a £1 this year so that pension indexation of their final salary pension can be triggered.
No increase this year of at least £1 potentially means a pension pot down on £1,000 for the lump sum and £30 per month down in perpetuity for some teachers.
Supply Teachers
We are arguing for a return to national pay scales for all teachers, including supply teachers. 92% of members at our Supply Teachers Consultation Conference, held last weekend, said their pay was inadequate.
Annual Conference 2022
NASUWT will be holding its Annual Conference over the Easter weekend.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teachers and education will be high on the agenda, along with pay, pensions and the accountability system.
Members can also keep up with events by following NASUWT on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Find us @nasuwt on all platforms and using the hashtag #nasuwt22.
Local Association Meetings
There has never been a more important time for you to be aware of the latest developments in education both locally and nationally in this time of COVID-19 and the many pressures brought to bear on members.
Meetings of your Local Association provide the opportunity to hear the latest national and local information, share your views, influence policy development, network and seek advice and support. The NASUWT values its direct engagement with members and your active participation in NASUWT Local Association meetings is important and would be very welcome.
The annual schedule and initial agendas of our Local Association meetings was shared with all Coventry members back in September 2021 and is available for reference here. The items of key business in the meetings allow all practising teachers to participate in the democratic processes of the Union.
The next meeting of our Local Association will be held on Tuesday 21st June 2022 starting at 5pm with the venue to be confirmed. Please add this date to your diary – we hope that you can attend. All Coventry Local Association NASUWT members are welcome. Any joining details and the final agenda will be shared next term.
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
Local Association Elections
Nominations for our Local Association Elections for positions to be taken up in 2022/23 closed on 8th February 2022. Not all positions received nominations and we are now seeking further nominations for Executive Committee members. The deadline for the nominations to be submitted is Tuesday 3rd May 2022. For further details and the nomination form see the email.
If you have any queries regarding Local Association meetings, elections, or if there are any other issues you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Equalities
Our Step Up Sisters campaign aims to encourage more women to get involved in the union and celebrate the achievements of our women members.
Please visit the website to see NASUWT members explain why getting involved is worth it.
Training and Events
Leadership Consultation Conference
Members in management and leadership roles are invited to join us in Birmingham on Saturday 7th May 2022 for updates on Ofsted, the forthcoming Schools White Paper and SEND reform. There will also be a focus on wellbeing support for school leaders.
Applying for your first job
We are offering free webinars for our student teacher members, offering tips, guidance and support on applying and interviewing for your first teaching post.
Visit our Student Hub now to book your place
We will be away from the office over the Easter 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. Our local website at www.nasuwtcoventry.org 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 Easter break.
Stay Safe.
NASUWT Coventry 