tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24401278409560974282024-03-21T14:39:44.447-07:00NUT OxfordshireGawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410966825360517033noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-11121126523142910962016-07-23T09:24:00.001-07:002016-07-23T09:24:33.247-07:00Uniting for Education: A New Union for Education Professionals<a href="http://uniting4education.blogspot.com/2016/07/a-new-union-for-education-professionals.html?spref=bl">Uniting for Education: A New Union for Education Professionals</a>: Possibly our most significant decision at this week's National Executive was taken in the last few minutes of the meeting, although it f...Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-84256881465523680192016-05-09T06:32:00.001-07:002016-05-11T06:23:45.174-07:00Uniting for Education: The Government Climbdown and the NUT Strike<a href="http://uniting4education.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-government-climbdown-and-nut-strik.html?spref=bl">Uniting for Education: The Government Climbdown and the NUT Strike</a>: Yesterday, the government announced a significant climbdown in relation to forced academisation. The white paper will no longer include pr...Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-71954654763969217712015-09-16T05:59:00.001-07:002015-09-16T05:59:25.172-07:00Trades Councils, Mental Health & Liberty: TUC Day 4<p dir="ltr">Well, it's almost over now!</p>
<p dir="ltr">We've heard the speeches of lots of other unions, and Surprise! ! Surprise!<br>
We all suffer at the hands of Government and their policies, and we all support each other!  There is clearly an under - used resource locally- our Trades Councils</p>
<p dir="ltr">We have places on the Oxford Trades  Union Council, but need to engage with other local towns in Oxfordshire and theirTrades Union Councils/ groups.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We have listened to speeches on Mental Health issues for both children, and adult workers, and how poorly these groups have been served in schools, colleges and universities.</p>
<p dir="ltr">An emotional speech from a young, male  NUT teacher, about his attempted suicide, after the lack of support from his school, when he finally admitted his mental health problems! He is a survivor, and deservedly received a standing ovation!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Other areas covered have been  Child  Sexual Exploitation; shameful new Government rules on benefits for Disabled people, and discrimination at work!; Campaigning for reasonable adjustments at work; time off during the day for ante-natal appointments; the plight of young workers with no future of a decent pension at a reasonable age!!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Violence In The Workplace was a universal concern to unions from many areas, including schools, the Courts, Fire Service, justice, NHS; Police Surveillance; Stop And Search; Later State and TPS pensions, and the issues of resulting old age poverty, due to older teachers being 'got rid of' years before their pensions kicked in! (Resulting in them receiving a Reduced Pension.  And having to live without their State pension, for a number of years!)</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shami Chakrabarti  - the Director of Liberty also spoke about the Government's attack on Trade Unionists and the Movement in general.<br>
Briefly, you might be interested in some of her key quotes as follows: 'Inequality Always Begins With Divide And Rule'<br>
Beware of the Government's line' The Innocent Have Nothing To Fear' re: en masse routine surveillance. Remember Doreen Lawrence!</p>
<p dir="ltr">She spoke of the positive role played by women in Trade Unions, and urged all unions to ' Push them to the front, to the microphones, to the leadership of your unions'</p>
<p dir="ltr">This Government should be working with unions to resolve their concerns, not simply trying to restrict their activities. '</p>
<p dir="ltr">'Women will be the biggest losers in this onslaught! '</p>
<p dir="ltr">'The Government is on the wrong side of Humanity!!' '</p>
<p dir="ltr">'Please Join Liberty!'</p>
<p dir="ltr">Finally,<br>
I've loved the TUC  Congress. Time to come home to Oxfordshire!!!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Sarah Carter<br>
President of Oxforshire NUT Association</p>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-35358357695516370692015-09-15T12:30:00.001-07:002015-09-16T06:00:05.510-07:00Defeat the Poverty Deniers: Corbyn speaks at TUC<p dir="ltr">There was a useful lunchtime joint meeting today, which  I attended, hosted by the  NUT, ATL (and supported by some  private sector non- teacher organisations.) about the value of having a full and  varied curriculum, with arts being encouraged; where getting a 'C' at GCSE isn't the only benchmark worth noting, where the parents of students( and students themselves), who struggle to reach a D, E , or lower grade, aren't convinced that they've failed their GCSE exams!!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Jeremy Corbyn arrived at 2.15pm, and his speech ran through all we hoped for! So in tune with the Trades Unions' views, he covered his views of all the areas that we've covered at this conference.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He talked of:<br>
the  £6 million members of TU's in the UK currently, highlighting the real strength of trades unions . They are therefore an integral part of society. That is why they need to have a voice.<br>
He talked about international TUs. - who haven't decent H &S support. who have died as a result. Such as the Colombian  miners!</p>
<p dir="ltr">'It's a worldwide movement, not just a national movement- never forget that! '</p>
<p dir="ltr">He reminded us of the £30,000 new members of the Labour Party, since Saturday's result!</p>
<p dir="ltr">He explained that on Saturday he went directly to support victims of Human Rights Abuses at the 'Refugees Welcome Here!</p>
<p dir="ltr">The next day, he went to a Mental Health event! He raised his support of 'our' NHS, and is keen for us to help to end the stigma of mental health!</p>
<p dir="ltr">'We have to address the Housing Crisis, as clearly, the free market isn't doing it!.' To do so, we have to create a substantial council housing building programme.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On the strength of the membership, Jeremy noted that he received a lot of votes in his election, in fact, 2x the number of The Conservative Party's entire membership!!</p>
<p dir="ltr">He believes that in his shadow cabinet,, that policy making will be a collective acts, not produced solely by his team, involving branch members. Why? Because<br>
' if you are involved in policy making, then you own it, and will therefore fight to support the policy causes!  So, no surprise from the top!<br>
He offered support to the National Gallery staff, who are in the audience today!<br>
Corbyn noted that the Conservatives ( with only 24% of the electorate supporting them) have declared war on the Trades Unions.  They attack us  purely because we exist!<br>
When Labour wins the next General Election in 2020, we will repeal the TU Bill,  and replace it with proper support for TUs.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He rallied against a government who are threatening the Right To Peaceful Protest, and the Right To Free Speech On Social Media.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On Pay, he talked about the reality that better management makes better and healthy and therefore more productive employees.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He called on David Cameron to support the introduction of the on-line secret ballot for unions.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He asked why shouldn't unions be political, or even choose to use some of their funds for political purposes , if they want to. This government has no problem with Hedge Fund money, but it does have a problem with the cleanest money in the UK, namely TU money, and seeks to control and restrict that!</p>
<p dir="ltr">On the Welfare Reform Bill, Corbyn. spoke about the appalling new aspects of the new Disability Benefits, and The Availability For Work Test, resulting in a number of suicides of claimants , whilst waiting long term for, or being denied essential benefits.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Controlling of Rents and the Raising of Wages to reduce poverty is something he will introduce in 2020.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He had to leave our meeting after his speech to go to the Commons to vote against proposed cuts to Tax Credits To Parents.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Finally, he said:<br>
The Tories call us ' Deficit Deniers'<br>
We call them 'Poverty Deniers'</p>
<p dir="ltr">Austerity is this Government's choice!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Of his Party:<br>
'We will be proud to campaign with  TUs.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Remember that we are quite a rich, but unequal society.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Workers founded the TU Movement, and we will build on that!'</p>
<p dir="ltr">Nothing I can add to that!<br>
</p>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-40352618437035036532015-09-15T07:52:00.001-07:002015-09-15T07:56:22.222-07:00Union Rights & Education Funding: TUC Day 3<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Today kicked off with many unions' impassioned pleas to support the TUC's response to the Government's 2nd Reading approval ( narrowly) of their TU Bill, which greatly limits TU activity, and the Right To Strike, the Right To Picket, and which brings the Police ( already stretched!) into the whole process. Reps' time off to support members ( Facilities time) will be greatly restricted! Supply Agencies to be used to break strikes by covering classes where staff are out on strike! Need I go on?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The new voting system requires an substantial number of members to send a postal vote for strike action to unions. An Abstention, and even failing to vote, will be taken as a No vote!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">And yet, ironically, this Government was elected to power by 24% of the National vote! So, 76% of us don't want the Tories!! Crime Commissioners were indeed elected to power on 14% of the vote! We'll need 40%!!!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Most businesses elect their Boards on far less!!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Electronic Balloting is surely the 21st Century way forward! But we are denied this option. Young people expect to be able to use this facility. Therefore, We must 'Kill The Bill'. Lobby Your MP!!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">'We need to go to Manchester,en masse, and disrupt the Tory Conference!' urged Malcolm Davies, of UCATT. He quoted Bob Crowe, ' if you fight, you may not always win, but if you don't fight, you will lose! '</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The Education debates here have backed up everything we knew about education issues locally!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">ATL's Shelagh Hirst, said of the Supply Agencies that there wouldn't be enough agency staff to cover, so would staff there be quickly recruited, not properly CRB checked? No proper handovers between staff? So would vulnerable pupils, those with medical needs etc be put at risk? Many financially desperate agency staff would be forced to cross picket lines. Future staff relations within schools would then be significantly damaged!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The current Education Funding Crisis was seen as a disgrace, and a TUC campaign on Funding was agreed.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">6th Forms and FE's were keen to point out the attacks on pay and conditions of staff in all Post 16 institutions, and in universities. There have been 24% cuts this year alone.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Campaigning by the TUC will follow to reverse the recently cut funding support for disabled students, and those with additional support needs!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Many speakers, including the NUT, spoke of how poverty affects the learning and life chances of vulnerable children today!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The Living Wage was cited as essential therefore, as a start.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The role of fast food chains, Sports Direct etc were mentioned as poor employers, who pay far less, and the use of zero hours' contracts as being a barrier to pulling workers out of poverty!indeed, encouraging poverty for profit!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Some speakers talked of how some teachers try to help students by paying for their lunches, by getting clothes for them from schools' Lost Property Boxes.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> How, for those on Free School Meals, that lunch will be the only decent meal they'll get all day, and that at the weekend, they'll go hungry again, waiting for Monday, and dreading the school holidays!!!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Powerful stuff!!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The TUC will campaign, using the United Nations Convention on The Rights Of The Child, which states: ' The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all decisions and actions that affect children' and ' Every child has the right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical and social needs and support their development'.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Hold tight! Jeremy Corbyn to speak at Congress this afternoon! Can't wait!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Sarah Carter</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">SE Region NUT</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">TUC Delegate</span>Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-80861738182122986962015-09-14T14:08:00.001-07:002015-09-14T14:11:26.549-07:00To whom are you accountable and how can we get rid of you? TUC Day 2<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" type="cite">
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First off today, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow dong a fine impression of the late, great Tony Benn, stating the five questions to be asked of anyone in power!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Guardian Text Egyptian Web', Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Guardian Text Egyptian Web', Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;">“What power have you got? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Guardian Text Egyptian Web', Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;">Where did you get it from? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Guardian Text Egyptian Web', Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;">In whose interests do you exercise it? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Guardian Text Egyptian Web', Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;">To whom are you accountable?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Guardian Text Egyptian Web', Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px;">And how can we get rid of you?”</span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">He also spoke of his efforts to encourage young people to engage with politics; how he chairs the UK Youth Parliament in the Commons. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">How he insisted that a bar in the Commons be removed and replaced by a creche for Commons staff, despite complaints</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">!!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">How he pushed the idea that all contractors. and staff in the Commons should be paid a London Living Wage!</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">How his politics have changed dramatically from his early right wing days. He was well received at the end!!</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
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You can watch his speech <a href="https://www.tuc.org.uk/about-tuc/congress/congress-2015/john-bercows-speech-tuc-congress-video" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">After that, a rousing speech from the TUC General Secretary ,Frances O'Grady, talking about organising and building the unions and calling ultimately for all workers to join a union, saying 'Together we are stronger!' .</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">She also talked about the joy of seeing that Corbyn"s newly appointed Shadow Cabinet consists of a majority of women ( the very first!).</span></span></div>
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The text of Frances' speech is available <a href="https://www.tuc.org.uk/about-tuc/congress/congress-2015/tuc-general-secretary-frances-o%E2%80%99grady%E2%80%99s-address-congress-2015" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Later on, a lively debate took place about Electoral Reform. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Emergency Motion 1 Colombia - Christine Blower asked all to support by pushing unions to give practical support to this cause.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Emergency Motion 2 re: Met Office Weather Forecasting Service For The BBC. Prospect asked for support from the unions. Tony Lennon of BECU described the new plan as 'a stitch up of one national institution by another!!! ' Support the campaign!</span> </div>
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Today was also the debate on education and I will report more on that in the morning. Anyway, off to bed now...<br />
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Sarah Carter<br />
SE Region NUT<br />
TUC Delegate</div>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-31707701407412510072015-09-13T11:09:00.001-07:002015-09-13T11:09:29.459-07:00Impressive, Challenging & Essential: TUC Day 1<blockquote><p dir="ltr">Positive and enthusiastic start to TUC Congress.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Much mention of the vision of hope provided by the election of Jeremy Corbyn! </p>
<p dir="ltr">In the President's Address, Leslie Manasseh talked of this too, and <br>
of how Collective Bargaining and Union membership, especially in private enterprise, is on the decline. </p>
<p dir="ltr">'Unless we grow in numbers, we cannot grow in strength. ' he said. 'We need to understand why many of the working classes voted Tory in the last election. '</p>
<p dir="ltr">He talked about how strong organisation is the key- strong reps - essential! </p>
<p dir="ltr">We can't change things by shouting; we need to change from within. We must rebuild Trade Unions. We must speak more to non members. Not just talk to activists. That's too safe! </p>
<p dir="ltr">We need to get out there and do the hard job. The younger generation need to know why joining a TU is a good idea. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We owe this to those who built the unions!! And to those who come after us! </p>
<p dir="ltr">There are those who want to destroy the unions, and we must work hard, organise, and stand united in order <br>
to stop them! '</p>
<p dir="ltr">Impressive, challenging and essential, don't you think? <br></p>
<p dir="ltr">Sarah Carter<br>
SE Region NUT<br>
TUC Delegate<br>
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Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-82873992084964413342014-05-18T14:46:00.001-07:002014-05-19T02:07:48.047-07:00#StandUp4Edu RoundupI figured it was about time to update on recent Stand Up for Education activities. Since the Easter holidays, Oxfordshire NUT has been out every weekend with a different event.<br />
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<b>26th April - Folk Weekend Oxford</b><br />
This year, we sponsored the Family Festival at Folk Weekend Oxford and took along Stand Up for Education material. We signed up 58 new supporters. A fuller report is available <a href="http://oxnut.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/standup4edu-at-folk-weekend-oxford.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Here are some of our volunteer stewards, along with my daughter Rosa who loved the family ceilidh! (a big thanks to Donald, Chris, Ian, Mike Steve & Zoe for helping out):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zTkNTo28iVgKabXP6my4RFwKAEBcZ6TuOeU_xbCjmvexozpcarcLsjdPZwPwQ7ZR1qnnuJZ7kRUWY7WRfJnSqF2lK7pF0jLzJIdMSm0VTY8K3a7-6hxk-1RmfAMsBBuj67SCrr6tE7c/s1600/IMAG0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zTkNTo28iVgKabXP6my4RFwKAEBcZ6TuOeU_xbCjmvexozpcarcLsjdPZwPwQ7ZR1qnnuJZ7kRUWY7WRfJnSqF2lK7pF0jLzJIdMSm0VTY8K3a7-6hxk-1RmfAMsBBuj67SCrr6tE7c/s1600/IMAG0073.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>3rd May - Oxford May Day</b><br />
Stand Up for Education supporters were out in force for this year's May Day March & Rally and the march was led by a samba band of children and parents in green Stand Up for Education T-Shirts. Christine Blower from the NUT spoke at the start of the march and we signed up 34 new supporters for the campaign.<br />
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<b>10th May - Cycling Leaflet-Drop</b><br />
On 10th May, Donald organised a leaflet drop on wheels around Oxford. You can now find out more about the Stand Up for Education Campaign at the following places:<br />
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And these libraries:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdlkp5sbZ_ww-1O5CHIen2ZTXVAd57I6hStNMgIDm9OLyGBNAHfpa8Q2OSvXBHUVS1u4kYVAtKfY-j_6SzM_75CtV876suBxXn-bOPHbmHHz-ZiIHhiMHoZWv9lXCid0NYTZsR_Iz124/s1600/StandUpVenues3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdlkp5sbZ_ww-1O5CHIen2ZTXVAd57I6hStNMgIDm9OLyGBNAHfpa8Q2OSvXBHUVS1u4kYVAtKfY-j_6SzM_75CtV876suBxXn-bOPHbmHHz-ZiIHhiMHoZWv9lXCid0NYTZsR_Iz124/s1600/StandUpVenues3.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>17th May - Levellers Day</b><br />
An important local labour movement celebration in the beautiful surroundings of Burford. Our Stand Up for Education campaigners were on the march again! We signed up 45 new supporters and lots of people left personal messages for Michael Gove. Here are some of them:<br />
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All over Oxfordshire, people are <i>Standing Up for Education</i>! Why not <a href="http://www.teachers.org.uk/parents" target="_blank">sign up</a> and become one of them?Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-52982504720329745252014-04-27T05:43:00.002-07:002014-04-27T05:44:33.719-07:00#StandUp4Edu at Folk Weekend OxfordThis weekend, Oxfordshire NUT continued our weekly <i>Stand Up for Education</i> stalls in a new and different way.<br />
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We were proud to be the sponsors of the Folk Weekend Oxford 'Family Festival'. We supported the 'Offshoots' schools concerts, where children from Windmill, St Andrews, Wolvercote, Marsh Baldon, Garsington and West Kidlington Primary Schools performed, and also the excellent family Ceilidh with the superb What's up Folk! from John Mason School.<br />
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The events were stewarded by Oxfordshire NUT volunteers who also had <i>Stand Up for Education</i> material available:<br />
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Over the weekend, 58 new supporters signed up to the campaign and many more took away information. Most importantly, it was a great showcase for talented young musicians from Oxfordshire's schools.<br />
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Well done to all involved!Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-37642453057299051342014-03-04T20:30:00.000-08:002014-03-30T02:52:13.952-07:00Stand Up for Education (Wheatley Park)<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">NUT members from Wheatley Park were joined by colleagues from John Watson School to discuss the upcoming Strike Action on 26</span><sup style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">March. Many teachers were still teaching or unable to attend due to the demands of paperwork – a vivid illustration of pressure teachers are under and of the hours they are working. Colleagues discussed the background of the action and celebrated the recent successes – the findings of the STRB and the publication of the Working time survey – both in direct response to union action.</span><br />
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Members went on to discuss our action next month, not only is it justified but it is also very well timed – now is a very good time to be applying pressure on a weakened secretary of state – it was stressed that strike action will only be effective if it is accompanied by lobbying of politicians and backed up by support form parents and communities. Members were urged to write to their MPs, to talk to parents and carers and to urge them to sign the petition to ‘Stand Up for Education’.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Ed</div>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-11199958913999099292014-03-04T20:00:00.000-08:002014-03-05T15:42:25.403-08:00Stand Up for Education (Henley)<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Really good meeting tonight in the Henley cluster. We discussed how we can build in our individual workplaces for the strike as well as the importance of keeping the pressure on after Michael Gove suffered the set back of the STRB report. We also discussed the support we have in the public and how we can get parents and communities involved. To do this, we are going to be leafleting in Henley on the 15</span><sup style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> of March, meeting at the Town Hall at 11am. All local teachers are welcome to join us.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Dave</span>Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-16623006710331887572014-02-27T15:01:00.000-08:002014-03-05T15:35:14.751-08:00Stand Up for Education (St John's, Banbury)<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><strong>NUT members from several Banbury schools met at St John's RC Primary on Thursday February 27th.</strong></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Those present discussed the proposed changes to teachers' pay and conditions and their likely effect on teachers' workload and professional relationships.</strong></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>We also talked about effective communication with parents and others as to the consequences if the changes go through.</strong></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Discussion then moved on to the importance of organisation and representation at school level, building informal local support networks and using these to exchange experience and ideas.</strong></span></em></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">The meeting lasted about an hour. Thanks are due to St John's Headteacher Kevin Griffiths and his staff for their warm and generous hospitality.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ian</span></em></strong></div>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-71323567037819001852014-02-25T17:04:00.002-08:002014-03-03T15:04:11.730-08:00Stand Up for Education (Cheney)Great meeting this afternoon at Cheney School. Strong support for the campaign from the 25-30 teachers present. In particular, a number of younger teachers commented on the importance of making the campaign about education, not just pay, pensions and workload. It is not that teachers don't care about these issues - many at the meeting said the workload was almost unbearable - but that they care even more deeply about the quality of education their students receive.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.teachers.org.uk/files/parent-leaflet-a5-4pp-9223.pdf" target="_blank">parent leaflets</a> were very well received, as was the focus on <a href="http://www.teachers.org.uk/parents" target="_blank">engaging parents</a>, <a href="http://www.teachers.org.uk/campaigns/protect-teachers#pressure" target="_blank">pressuring politicians</a> and <a href="http://www.teachers.org.uk/campaigns/protect-teachers#strike" target="_blank">strike action on 26th March</a>. A number of teachers have signed up for local leafleting and lobbying meetings with their MP.</div>
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All in all, a good start to the campaign. This is the first of a number of meetings (nearly 20 now - 16 below, more to be announced).</div>
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Looking forward to getting to more schools over the coming weeks and meeting more NUT members.<br />
<br />
Gawain</div>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-15594995406993579772014-02-25T16:55:00.001-08:002014-03-03T15:06:09.995-08:00Stand Up for Education: Your nearest meetingOver the next few weeks, we will be attempting the biggest series of NUT meetings in Oxfordshire for some time.<br />
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So far, we have 16 meetings set up and more in the pipeline.</div>
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I hope that you can join us at your nearest meeting. If there is not one near you, get in touch and lets set one up at your school or in your local area.</div>
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Meetings will be attended by members of the local NUT Committee who can answer questions about the campaign and feed back your views and ideas. We will be blogging from the meetings each day to keep you up to date with the latest developments in the campaign.</div>
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I hope to see you at one of the meetings below:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Tuesday
25</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
February – 3.30pm Cheney School, Oxford</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday
26</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
February – 1.40pm Banbury Academy (BA members only)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Thursday
27</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
February – 4pm St John's RC Primary School, Banbury</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Tuesday
4</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 4.15pm The Hot Frog, Henley-on-Thames</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Tuesday
4</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 4.20pm Wheatley Park School, Wheatley</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday
5</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 1.10pm Oxford Spires Academy (OSA members only)</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday
5</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 3pm Bayards Hill Primary, Oxford</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday
5</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 3.30pm West Kidlington Primary, Kidlington</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday
5</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 4pm Langford Village Primary, Bicester</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday
5</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 4pm Bloxham Primary School, Bloxham</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday
5</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 4.45pm John Mason School, Abingdon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Thursday
6</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 4pm Willowcroft Primary School, Didcot</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Monday
10</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 4pm St Gregory the Great, Oxford</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Monday
10</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 4pm Henry Box School, Witney</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Tuesday
11</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 4pm Carterton Primary School, Carterton</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday
12</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 5pm AGM & Social (see below)</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Tuesday
18</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
March – 3.30pm Millbrook Primary, Grove</span></div>
</div>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-48650927744775005712013-10-01T14:33:00.001-07:002014-03-03T15:07:39.125-08:00Developing Strategies<div dir="ltr">
And an article for Education for Tomorrow and the STA journal Education for Liberation earlier this year on similar themes:</div>
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Education faces the most sustained political attack since the formation of a state education system in the 1870s. That much is plain. The academy and 'free' schools privatisation programme, attacks on education workers' pensions, regressive curriculum and qualification changes, and the dismantling of national pay are all part of a broad 'reform' programme which seeks to dismantle the state education system and replace it with a fully-privatised education market, driven by profit.</div>
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This attack, as many commentators have pointed out, is clearly ideologically-driven. There is no doubt that Gove, Wilshaw, Cameron et al are motivated by an ideological belief in the free market and complete opposition to state provision of education as a social good.</div>
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However, it also has a clear economic basis. Our state education system is a genuine gain won by working people, allowing them access to education which would once have been reserved for the rich. At the same time, it has also played an economic function as a subsidy, from general taxation, for employers who require a skilled workforce to compete in the modern economy. Hence the ongoing debates about the role of business in determining the curriculum necessary to produce school-leavers and graduates who can 'help us to compete in today's global economy'.</div>
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In the current economic climate, though, this is no longer enough. Our economic system relies on constant expansion in order to survive. The very logic of capitalism is that, as investment capital produces profits, there must be an ever-increasing pool of investment opportunities in which to put this new capital to work. At the same time, the rate of profit must be sustained, regardless of trends in the real economy.</div>
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One key way of doing this is via state-subsidised investment – e.g. a state-funded education system run by private companies for profit. Under this model, general taxation is not only used to provide indirect subsidy to business via the provision of a skilled workforce, but also provides direct subsidy to profits generated within the education system itself. This was the model behind the privatisation of utilities under the Thatcher government and is one of the key reasons for the artificially-high rate of profit in the private service sector over the past 30 years.</div>
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But there is one major factor standing in the way of this privateers dream of new markets and state-subsidised profits – a highly unionised workforce.</div>
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It is not just the current threat posed by the teaching unions that is of concern to big business and their supporters in government, but the potential threat – the threat of what the teaching unions may become. This is the threat of a highly-unionised workforce, united behind a single banner, with a voice in every school and every classroom, and a strong network of support throughout local communities. Because education affects everyone, a strong teachers union has the opportunity to unite not just the entire teaching profession but also governors, local authorities, parents, grandparents, students, ultimately the whole community.</div>
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So, as we embark on the fight of our lives, our underlying aim must be to transform ourselves into this force which alone is capable of defeating the neoliberal agenda and realising our aim of a good local school for every child. </div>
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<b>A single union</b></div>
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Firstly, we must build a single teaching union, representing all those employed as teachers in schools in England and Wales. Talking about Professional Unity is no longer enough. We must take concrete steps to create it. That means each teacher union conducting an analysis of the benefits of there being one union for all teachers in all sectors and actively campaigning for such a single union. It means genuine collaboration, both formally and informally, in exploring the possibilities of partnership, confederation and merger between the existing teacher lecturer unions.</div>
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We must also not allow the government to divide the profession through the introduction of unqualified teachers into schools. Whilst maintaining a clear position that it is every child's right to be taught by a qualified teacher, teachers unions must go out to organise this vulnerable section of the workforce. We must do this in the full knowledge that, without uniting all those employed as teachers, we will be unable to defend the rights of our members, whether qualified or unqualified, and of the young people they teach.</div>
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<b>School based</b></div>
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Secondly, we need to ensure our Union is genuinely rooted in every school and every classroom. This means embracing a grassroots organising agenda to develop strong school groups with well-trained elected school representatives, who are capable of collectively defending their terms and conditions and of rooting the Union's national campaigns in local experience. We cannot accept the dangerous cynicism which suggests that this is not possible or that it should not be pursued. The key strength of teacher unionism is its membership. Our members are the source of our strength and it is they who should control it. To suggest that they cannot, or should not, organise collectively to wield that strength is the antithesis of trades unionism.</div>
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We must take a targeted approach to this work, both at a local and national level, to turn the government's attack into a strategic opportunity for the Union. Much of this will depend on the support and training we provide to school reps and to school groups and the extent to which we use every opportunity to build their organisation and cohesion. We need to actively campaign for release time for school representatives and to support them to use it where it exists. We need to develop resources for reps to support them in representing members and negotiating with employers, and we need to develop local networks through which they can share their experiences. Throughout all of this, the long-term strategy of developing an effective and organised presence in every school in England and Wales must remain our overriding priority. Only then will we truly have a union which represents the entire teaching profession.</div>
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<b>Rooted in the community</b></div>
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Finally, we must root our local associations and school groups firmly within their local communities. Our Union should play a key role in all educational issues at local level, not just those which affect the terms and conditions of members. As the voice of the profession, we should carry out pro-active press work to challenge the negative portrayal of teachers and schools. The right of every child to a good local school is a demand which could mobilise huge support within communities but we need to act to build long-term organisations and alliances, not just mobilisations on specific issues. Similarly, the Union must engage on issues of broader social concern as our members do not exist in a vacuum but are a part of the communities in which they live and teach. Issues of child poverty and youth unemployment are of vital concern for the families of the pupils whom we teach.</div>
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This community work cannot be seen as an additional extra. It must be an integral part of the work of the Union and we must seek to engage all members in carrying it out. At the same time, it may act as a way of engaging members for whom these issues, not traditional trades union issues, are a priority. It also has the potential to build networks of support around teachers which may prove vital in taking campaigns forward.</div>
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We must also develop a political expression of this broader community work. In the run up to local and national elections, the Union should carry out targeted community organising campaigns on specific educational issues to translate the strength of its membership and its broader support within the community into direct influence on local and national education policy. This would not be about supporting or standing individual candidates but about changing the political landscape within local communities to make educational issues a priority.</div>
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Taken together, these suggestions do not present an easy path. Indeed, they will require significant work. However, the building of a single teachers' union, rooted in every school and classroom in England and Wales, with strong networks of support throughout local communities, would be a huge step forward in defence of our schools and our vision of education.</div>
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Gawain Little<br />
Oxfordshire Secretary<br />
National Executive member<br />
National Union of Teachers</div>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410966825360517033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-51945633957292997792013-10-01T14:12:00.001-07:002014-03-03T15:06:34.208-08:00NUT at the Crossroads<div dir="ltr">
My guest piece for the CDFU bulletin (internal NUT publication):</div>
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The NUT is at a crossroads.</div>
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Never before have we faced a government so determined to dismantle the state education system. Even the Thatcher government, with all its commitment to the free-market economics of Milton Fiedman, was limited in how far it could go down the road of education privatisation. Ultimately, their experiment failed as unions, heads and LA officers worked together to ensure that Local Management of Schools, per-pupil funding and the introduction of a quasi-market through parent choice was not enough to undermine the local authority family of schools.</div>
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This government, however, has both the motive and the means. The manufacturing of an artificial crisis through the manipulation of results and skilful use of OFSTED as a political entity has created a space for the policy of academisation. Very quickly, Gove-ist double-speak where localisation and parent power mean central control of schools by whitehall has become commonplace.</div>
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To drive home their victory and succeed where Thatcher failed, the ConDems must remove the remaining obstacle -the collective voice of teachers, exercised through their democratic organisations. This is no small obstacle and the government has mounted a number of attacks which it hopes will shut down teacher resistance by weakening their unions.</div>
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The policy of academisation and the creation of 'free' schools contain within them the potential to damage teachers collective voice, as does the dismantling of local authorities and local government, with whom teacher unions once negotiated. The outcome of this will depend in part on the effectiveness of our response.</div>
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The government has also mounted a more direct attack on the ability of teacher unions to represent their members. Under the guise of efficiency savings, the Department for Communities and Local Government has published guidance which advises councils to “scrap trade union posts” to save money. This is followed up by a separate document which elaborates how councils can “save taxpayers' money by significantly scaling back the cost of trade union facilities time.”</div>
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The DfE has now started its own consultation on facilities time in schools, headed by David Laws. There is no doubt what the outcome of this 'consultation' will be.</div>
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Not content with attacking unions' ability to represent their members at work, the government has now also introduced the Lobbying Bill, also known as the Gagging Bill. David Cameron has been clear in a statement to parliament that the main purpose of this proposed legislation is to limit tade unions' ability to influence the democratic process. Amongst other things, it would ban major demonstrations and other activities during an election year and cap unions' spending on any campaign which has the potential to influence support for a political party.</div>
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The question is how we respond to these attacks. There is much that we can do as a union to strengthen our structures at a local level and counter the impact of academisation and the dismantling of local authorities.</div>
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However, we must also look more broadly than our own union. Our members have families, they have neighbours, they are part of communities. And those communities are under attach from this government. When we stand up for our members' rights, we stand up for their rights too.</div>
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We represent the young unemployed workers who can't get a job because this government took their jobs away.</div>
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We represent the parents, most of them women, who have taken a decision to stay at home and raise their children and are being hammered by this government's tax changes.</div>
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We represent the children who turn up to school hungry because this government has forced their families into poverty.</div>
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We represent the real Britain; the Britain this government wants to throw on the scrapheap. And in order to defend their rights, we need to mobilise the communities in which our members live and work.</div>
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Trades councils are essential to this. They provide the opportunity to co-ordinate and develop local campaigns. They provide a crucial link between the trades union movement and local communities.</div>
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But they need to be adequately resourced and supported.</div>
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If we want to protect our members' rights, both in the workplace and in wider society, we need to engage fully with the trades council movement.</div>
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It is the responsibility of every NUT division to ensure that they are not only affiliated to, but also play and active role in, their local trades council.</div>
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United we stand, divided we fall.</div>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410966825360517033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-45630070555119017622013-09-18T14:12:00.001-07:002013-09-18T14:18:51.782-07:00Latest Info on Pay Campaign<p dir=ltr>Find out the latest on the pay campaign and local meetings here: <a href="http://eepurl.com/FupvL">http://eepurl.com/FupvL</a></p>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410966825360517033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-45816115784298798672013-09-18T06:39:00.004-07:002014-03-03T15:08:22.772-08:00Dear Blog...Dear Blog,<br />
<br />
Sorry I have not written for so long. You will notice that the collapse of all blogging activity occurred about a month and a half before my youngest daughter Clara was born. Anyway, Clara is now four and a half months old, happy healthy and LOUD and I am finding just enough time between teaching and meetings to rustle up the occasional post again.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Anyone reading this for the first time should bear in mind that our official website is at www.oxnut.org.uk and is a great source of information on a wide range of topics as well as the latest campaign news. This site, on the other hand, whilst it does contain some information, is something of an acquired taste.<br />
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Nationally, things don't seem to have improved greatly since I last posted. In spite of their much trumpeted announcement today of free school meals for infants (more on that later) the current government seem determined to hammer teachers, families, kids and basically anyone who works for a living or wants to.<br />
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However, the strides forward in terms of our organising project that I was looking at in my last post have continued and gathered pace going into this term. Our new committee have proved dedicated, hardworking and innovative (a difficult combination) and we now have a good volunteer team and a new organising team, which is planning a series of meetings in the run up to strikes this term.<br />
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We are always looking for new people to get involved so, if you have something you feel you could bring to your Union, whether as a rep, a volunteer or in some other capacity, get in touch via the usual means...Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17317610466802427859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-76205257615399745732013-03-16T05:48:00.001-07:002014-03-03T15:08:41.577-08:00Organising for the Future<div dir="ltr">
A busy week this week. On Thursday, our local committee met for the first time since the AGM. Great to welcome new members on board and to set out some of our plans for the coming year.</div>
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In particular, we welcomed the initial success of the organising project in Didcot and Wallingford, and are looking to extend this to other areas.</div>
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If you would like to get more involved in supporting members in your local area, there are a number of ways you can get involved:</div>
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* Sign up as an NUT rep or contact for your school - We are always looking for people to join our dedicated team of reps. We provide training, resources and ongoing support. To find out more, visit <a href="http://www.oxnut.org.uk/reps">www.oxnut.org.uk/reps.</a></div>
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* Volunteer some time for your Union - We have established our first volunteers team and are looking for more people to get involved. How ever much time you can spare, we can find suitable work which is rewarding and will make a real difference to members. To volunteer, visit <a href="http://www.oxnut.org.uk/contact-us">www.oxnut.org.uk/contact-us.</a></div>
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* Speak to a colleague about the Pay Campaign - Something as simple as mentioning the government's proposals on pay and encouraging a colleague to visit our website and take action makes a real difference. Details are at <a href="http://www.oxnut.org.uk/">www.oxnut.org.uk.</a></div>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410966825360517033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-50551786828738934632013-02-27T04:33:00.001-08:002014-03-03T15:09:13.955-08:00The Future of Outdoor Education in Oxfordshire<div dir="ltr">
This week, Oxfordshire County Council began consultation on its proposals for restructuring its three Outdoor Education Centres:</div>
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<a href="http://www.yenworthylodge.co.uk/cms/site/yenworthy-lodge">Yenworthy, Devon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.woodlandsoec.org/cms/site/woodlands">Woodlands, Wales</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kilvroughmanor.org.uk/cms/site/kilvrough-manor">Kilvrough, Wales</a></div>
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These centres provide an essential resource for young people across Oxfordshire to experience high-quality outdoor learning and to develop skills which support them throughout their lives.</div>
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Outdoor Education has a significant impact on children's learning both within and beyond the classroom and is key in developing many of the skills and attitudes which are associated with lifelong learning and future success, such as resilience, resourcefulness, teamwork amd problem-solving. More information on the impact of Outdoor Education is available <a href="http://www.englishoutdoorcouncil.org/research.in.outdoor.learning.html">here.</a></div>
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Over the next few weeks, Oxfordshire NUT will be looking at the proposals in detail and discussing them with staff at the centres and other stakeholders.</div>
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If you care about the continued provision of high quality Outdoor Education for all of Oxfordshire's young people and would like to have your say, please get in touch with us or pass on your details using the link below so we can send you further information.</div>
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<a href="http://www.oxnut.org.uk/index.php/contact-us.html">I want to have my say on the future of Outdoor Education in Oxfordshire.</a></div>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410966825360517033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-60915014966297252742013-02-27T01:30:00.001-08:002013-02-27T01:48:49.287-08:00Gove, Wilshaw, Governors and Education<p dir=ltr>Came across this petition I thought colleagues might like to sign:</p>
<p dir=ltr><a href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/gove-must-go.html">Gove Must Go Petition | GoPetition</a></p>
<p dir=ltr>The damage that has been done to education by this government in its first three years in power, seems set to be compounded by the rest of its term.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Michael Wilshaw's latest attack on governors exposes Gove & co's complete disregard for anyone who genuinely cares about education. Their proposals for reform of governing bodies (opposed by the National Governors' Association) suggest they would be very happy to see parents, teachers and members of the local community completely replaced by paid directors like in any other business.</p>
<p dir=ltr>But the reality is that education is not just any other business. It is about the education of our children. And that process involves the whole community. It means people from within that community, whether parents teachers or others, taking a lead in the running of <b>their</b> schools.</p>
<p dir=ltr>There are inspirational people in schools all over the country doing precisely that, and it is those people Wilshaw is insulting with his ill-informed, ideologically-driven comments today.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Willshaw and Gove have a single agenda, to make our schools more and more like the private businesses they so admire and from which their friends make so much profit.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Our agenda must be different. It must be to develop an education system which supports every young person to achieve the best that they can. And that means working with all those who are passionate about this vision, especially those who give their time voluntarily as governors to achieve it.</p>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410966825360517033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-88657006246960288162013-02-04T14:56:00.001-08:002013-02-27T01:31:23.696-08:00The War on Teachers Affects Us All<p dir=ltr>Sunday 03 February 2013<br>
by Gawain Little</p>
<p dir=ltr>This year began with the worrying news of a significant decline in teacher morale. A survey conducted by YouGov reported that 55 per cent of teachers described their morale as "low" or "very low."</p>
<p dir=ltr>The number giving a positive response has almost halved since April last year to 15 per cent.</p>
<p dir=ltr>The reasons for this are not difficult to understand. More than seven in 10 teachers reported that they did not feel trusted by ministers and over three-quarters felt that government policies were having a negative impact on education.</p>
<p dir=ltr>More worryingly for ministers, only 13 per cent of teachers in academies and "free" schools, the coalition's blueprint for the future of education, believe that this government is taking education in the right direction.</p>
<p dir=ltr>And it's no wonder they are sceptical.</p>
<p dir=ltr>The privatisation of the education system through the academy and "free" school initiatives is already causing huge problems.</p>
<p dir=ltr><a href="http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/129030">Read more...</a></p>
Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410966825360517033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-20966558247929085712012-10-27T10:31:00.001-07:002012-10-27T10:31:38.061-07:00Action Making a Difference<div><p>Almost a month in and the joint NUT/NASUWT action is having a significant impact in schools across Oxfordshire. Working together with headteachers and others, we have been using the action to improve the conditions of members in a number of schools and to address the failure of the Secretary of State to protect teachers, and thereby their students, from the damaging effects excessive workload.</p>
<p>One of the great things about this action is that it has seen teachers acting together to protect their terms and conditions. Where individuals have been struggling under immense pressure, often worried about raising it with a headteacher under similar or even greater pressure, this action has brought people together to find shared solutions.</p>
<p>We have had a huge response from NUT school groups contacting us (hence the lack of recent updates to this blog!) to let us know what an impact the action has had in their school. We have also had a number of schools where, after meeting to look at the guidance from the NUT nationally, members have agreed that the action will have little or no impact on their school because measures are already in place to deal with concerns about workload and other issues.</p>
<p>Finally, we have a number of schools where we are still advising members on what they can do together to help improve things for teachers and, ultimately, for students. If you are still at this stage, please do get in touch as we are only too willing to support you through the process of reclaiming teachers time for teaching and learning.</p>
</div>Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410966825360517033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-22508485605139118832012-10-27T09:54:00.001-07:002012-10-27T10:09:58.923-07:00Contacting us<div><p>More news from Oxfordshire NUT:</p>
<p>FROM NEXT TERM WE ARE CHANGING OUR LOCAL CONTACT DETAILS</p>
<p>All previous phone numbers you may have used for Oxfordshire NUT will be replaced with a new helpline number - 07807 300 595.</p>
<p>The NUT South East Regional Office number remains unchanged - 01444 894 500.</p>
<p>The new number will be active from 5th November and will be covered by an answering service for the next week. If you have an urgent call during this period, please contact the Regional Office directly.</p>
<p>The caseworker's email is also being replaced so from now on please email us at secretary@oxfordshire.nut.org.uk, unless you are updating your membership details on which case membsec@oxfordshire.nut.org.uk.</p>
<p>As we develop our communications over the coming year, we may add more email addresses for specific areas of work but, if in doubt, you can always email secretary@oxfordshire.nut.org.uk and your email will be passed on if necessary.</p>
</div>Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410966825360517033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440127840956097428.post-3236310355790684282012-10-27T09:00:00.001-07:002012-10-27T09:05:26.052-07:00Schools in Special Circumstances<div><p>We are aware that there are a number of schools working in special circumstances in Oxfordshire, because they are in an Ofsted category, because they are being forced to convert to academy status or for other reasons.</p>
<p>We want to reassure members in these schools that they are entitled to participate in all aspects of the joint NUT/NASUWT action as set out in the advice from NUT nationally.</p>
<p>We are aware that schools in special circumstances have additional pressures placed upon them, often by government or Ofsted, but that doesn't mean that teachers in those schools are no longer entitled to reasonable working conditions. Similarly, it is inconceivable that outcomes for students can be sustainably improved where staff are faced with excessive workload which does not allow them to perform to the best of their ability in the classroom.</p>
<p>Our advice to members in these schools is to meet with colleagues as a joint NUT/NASUWT group and discuss the national union guidance on the action. This should provide a basis for discussing how you can work together to ensure that the needs of staff and students are both protected during this difficult time.</p>
</div>Gawain Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410966825360517033noreply@blogger.com0