Latest News

Campaign to restore RPI linkage for pensions

Web Editor 1 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:36:36 +0000

Last year the Government changed the inflation link for pension increases from the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). This will significantly affect your income in retirement as CPI is generally a lower figure than RPI.

The NUT, as an affiliated organisation of the Public Service Pensioners’ Council (PSPC), is asking retired members to lobby their MP to restore the RPI limit.

MPs will be debating the Social Security Benefits (Uprating) Order, which applies CPI indexation to the State second pension between mid February and mid March. This then feeds through into the teachers’ pension increase.

Please ask your MP to speak and vote against the Order. The quicker you contact your MP the better. The attached documents will help you contact your MP and prepare your arguments.

Asbestos in Schools - APPG Report 2012

Web Editor 4 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:06:12 +0000

This report, from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health, exposes the level of danger from asbestos in Britain’s schools, and makes a compelling case for urgent action.

ACT NOW: Tell Bahrain to free Mahdi

Web Editor 4 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:56:08 +0000

The General Secretary has written to the British Ambassador in Bahrain to request UK's diplomatic representatives in Bahrain attend the appeals on 19th February.

Government's proposed reading competition - press release

Web Editor 2 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:24:58 +0000

7 February 2012

Commenting on the Government's announcement of its intention to launch a national reading competition in England, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers'union, said:

"The NUT is well aware of the need to instil a love of reading in children, as our Reading for Pleasure campaign demonstrated. Unfortunately this is something which the present curriculum with its focus on SATs and the inevitable teaching to the test does not allow for.

Update for Year one Phonics Screening Check - Advice and Guidance for Members

Web Editor 1 — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:42:43 +0000

This document provides an update for memebrs on the assessment and reporting arrangements for the Year One Phonics Screening Check which is being implemented for all year one children in June 2012.

Sixth Form Colleges - Action to Protect our Sector

Web Editor 1 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:13:14 +0000

NUT members in sixth form colleges have voted by a substantial majority in favour of strike action in defence of funding and pay.

Use the materials in this section of the NUT website to organise meetings at college and ensure maximum support for the NUT action in order to send the Government and the employers the strongest possible message that teachers will resist the cuts and their impact on colleges.

The NUT's action will begin on 23 February, when NUT members in London will take strike action. There will be an NUT-organised lobby of Parliament which members can attend as well as joining picket lines at college. Dates for action by NUT members in colleges outside London will be circulated soon, together with details of further events for members.

Two posts - starting salary £32,295 pa - vacancy - Section: Headquarters

Web Editor 1 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:50:08 +0000

System Updates, Mailings & Reports Supervisor (FP12) or
Applications & Helpdesk Supervisor (FP11)

Two vacancies have arisen as a result of internal promotions in the department responsible for managing the Union’s membership records and subscriptions.

A System Updates, Mailings & Reports Supervisor (FP12) is required to take responsibility for many aspects of the quality of recorded data within our custom membership database. The role also involves the production of regular reports and mailing files alongside the creation of ad hoc queries for other staff or officers. An eye for detail and tenacity are as important as a thorough knowledge of membership databases, ideally in the Not for Profit sector. The ability to utilise MS Excel & MS Access to summarise and present data, and a commitment to excellent service to members and users are also essential.

FAQs for NUT College Representatives

Web Editor 1 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:32:26 +0000

This document includes answers to more detailed questions for NUT college representatives about the NUT action in sixth form colleges.

National Audit Report into free nursery provision - press release

Web Editor 1 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:26:05 +0000

3 February 2012

Commenting on the report, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“Let us be in no doubt, high quality Early Years education is essential for the progress and development of young children. The lasting effects on children and young people of free Early Years provision may not be easily measurable for some years. However, anecdotal evidence from teachers working in reception classes indicates clearly that children who have experienced high quality nursery provision are better prepared socially to engage in appropriate play and class activities.

National Audit Report into free nursery provision - press release

Web Editor 1 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:26:05 +0000

3 February 2012

Commenting on the report, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:

All Party Parliamentary Group calls for urgent action on asbestos in schools - press release

Web Editor 2 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:06:31 +0000

2 February 2012

Commenting on a report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health (APPG) which exposes the dangerous levels of asbestos in schools Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said

“We wholeheartedly welcome the intervention of the APPG on the issue of asbestos in schools. As the Chair of the Committee, Jim Sheridan MP, said, it is indeed a national scandal that asbestos continues to be present in our schools.

NUT News - February 2012 - pensions special - 93% of NUT members agree pensions campaign should continue

Web Editor 1 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:38 +0000

NUT's response to the UCAS consultation on Admissions

Web Editor 1 — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:37:49 +0000

This NUT response outlines its concerns that making major changes to the HE application system as described in the proposals merits further consideration before such changes are made.

Briefing on Studio Schools

Web Editor 1 — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:43:20 +0000

Studio schools are a new type of academy for 14-19 year olds which the Government is promoting as part of its strategy of improving the quality of vocational education. This briefing focuses on how studio schools operate and outlines the current issues of concern to the NUT.

NUT Sixth Form College members vote to take strike action - press release

Web Editor 1 — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:28:25 +0000

31 January 2012

NUT members in sixth form colleges have voted to take strike action in opposition to Government funding cuts and cuts in teachers' pay and conditions.

The NUT balloted members in respect of two separate disputes, involving the Secretary of State for Education as the Minister responsible for setting colleges' funding, and the sixth form college employers who are increasing class sizes and working hours and freezing teachers' pay despite commitments made during the 2010 pay agreement.

Cuts to college budgets, coming on top of the axing of the Education Maintenance Allowance and an increase in tuition fees, will be seen as yet a further attack on the expectations of young people.