The Scottish Government has signalled education as its first priority, most notably by giving the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney the lead role. Possibly shades of Tony Blair’s, education,…Read more…
Education reform – empowerment or centralisation?
The Scottish Government has signalled education as its first priority, most notably by giving the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney the lead role. Possibly shades of Tony Blair’s, education,…Read more…
School support staff facing high levels of violence and abuse, says UNISON
More than half of classroom or teaching assistants (53%) across the UK have experienced physical violence at school in the past year, according to new figures published by UNISON today (Tuesday). In…Read more…
UNISON pledges campaign for an end to school workers’ term-time contracts
‘We all live 12 months of the year’ and need to paid for 12 months, local government conference delegates hear
The article UNISON pledges campaign for an end to school workers’ term-time…Read more…
Learning with Unite
Union-organised learning is a great way to recruit new members and highlight the benefits of being in a union – that was the message that came out of Community Learning Day in Bristol this week….Read more…
Prospects for education services in Scotland
Giving the Deputy First Minister responsibility for education is meant to send a message that this service is a priority for the new government. So what might we expect in the coming years?
Let’s…Read more…
Report from Labor Notes conference and the Chicago Teachers’ Strike
At the start of April I was lucky enough to be part of a small delegation from the UK to the Labor Notes conference in Chicago, which brought together over 2000 activists for an inspiring, stimulating and useful set of plenaries and workshops. The trip…Read more…
UNISON welcomes government’s academies climbdown
Commenting on the news today (Friday) that the government has abandoned its plans to force all maintained schools still linked to local authorities to become academies, UNISON head of education Jon…Read more…
Academy chain job cuts are a lesson in how not to manage schools, says UNISON
Commenting on the decision today (Thursday) by the Academies Transformation Trust (ATT) to announce jobs cuts and a major restructuring across its secondary and primary schools in the East and West…Read more…
#BOTW16 UNISON Scotland training weekend under way
Convener Lilian Macer visits a Welfare Officer session at UNISON Scotland’s annual new branch officer training weekend in Glasgow.Read more…
STUC to back Palestinian students
#STUC16 The STUC will seek talks with Scottish Universities Support Palestinian Students (SUSPS) with a view to giving active support to a revised initiative and encourage unions to back the project financially and in any other ways possible.
The Edinburgh TUC motion reminded delegates that last year’s Congress in Ayr gave a generous welcome to the first recipient of a SUSPS award who is fromRead more…
Time for inclusive education and an end to homophobia in schools
#STUC16 The STUC backed the TIE (Time for Inclusive Education) campaign which is committed to inclusive education which aims to tackle homophobia and create a safer learning environment for all regardless of sexual orientation, gender or identity.
UNISON Scotland has already donated £1000 such is the importance we attach to this campaign, and UNISON’s Willie Docherty spoke in support.
To theRead more…
GIRFEC must not become a tick box exercise – our children deserve better
#STUC16 The STUC condemned cuts to education which so often follow on from council cuts, especially attacks on support staff numbers which damage the learning experiences of our most vulnerable young people and called for action to protect education funding.
Supporting the SSTA motion, UNISON’s Susan Kennedy pointed out that the Scottish Government continues with their commitment to providingRead more…
Report from GPM&IT NISC April 2016
The committee, which covers the Graphical, Paper, Media & IT industries, met Monday and Tuesday. This is a summary of some key points. I’ve not included most of the industrial detail (and some other points) in my report because not everything is appropriate to post publicly. For jargon, see…Read more…
Local government executive to explore help for school support staff
Government plans to force all schools to become academies are just one issue facing support staff
The article Local government executive to explore help for school support staff first appeared on…Read more…
Parents Defending Education: Meeting 23 April 2016
It is shocking that for bigoted political dogma the Tories are going to attack top performing Local Authority schools. Check out Anti Academies Alliance. Hat tip NUT Bob Archer. Read more…
Vocational education is letting young women down
Vocational education is confused, and does not guarantee routes into good quality employment “The current system for young people who do not follow an academic route is complex and incoherent, with confusing incentives for young people and employers. Careers advice and education are being delivered…Read more…
Teaching assistant wins prestigious award
Award celebrates activist who has made greatest contribution to Gateshead branch and its members
The article Teaching assistant wins prestigious award first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Opposition to forced academisation increases
Government plans to forces 17,000 schools in England to become academies opposed by unions, educators and politicians, including leading Conservative voices
The article Opposition to forced…Read more…
#Budget2016: TUC reaction roundup
The Chancellor, George Osborne delivered the 2016 budget yesterday, here is a quick round up of reactions from our TUC bloggers: Public Service cuts £3.5bn worth of cuts to public services by 2020. The spending cuts will be identified through an ‘efficiency review’. Cuts and increased pressures on…Read more…