Category: education

MPs celebrate college support staff

UNISON is asking MPs to visit their local colleges tomorrow, 9 February, to celebrate Champions in Our Colleges as part of the ongoing campaign to fully recognise the importance of support staff in education.

On Tuesday, the union held a drop-in event at Westminster, where MPs discussed their local colleges and the funding problems in the sector.

As well as listening to issues which affect the sector nationally, MPs were keen to talk about what they could do to support their local colleges.

There was a particular focus on the apprenticeship system, its importance and how to make it work better – highlighting the benefit, as part of a well-rounded education system, of quality apprenticeships to individuals and to the economy as a whole.

Labour MP Kim Johnson showing support for Champions in Our Colleges

Labour MP Kim Johnson

The event also gave UNISON officers the opportunity to tell MPs of the union’s concerns with pay bargaining in England, the outsourcing of support staff jobs on worse pay and conditions, and poor staffing levels.

The MPs who attended included Ben Bradshaw, George Howarth, Kim Johnson, Justin Madders, Toby Perkins, Virenda Sharma, Liz Twist, Beth Winter, Christian Wakeford and Daniel Zeichner (all Labour), Munira Wilson (Lib Dems) and Chris Stephens (SNP).

Labour MP Daniel Zeichner showing support for Champions in Our Colleges

Labour MP Daniel Zeichner

Champions in Our Colleges celebrates the important role of support staff in colleges and aims to raise awareness of the issues they face.

UNISON encourages all stakeholders, leaders, teachers, other support staff, learners, MPs and the local community to show support staff how much they are valued. The event was run nationally for the first time in February last year.

Labour MP Liz Twist shows her support for Champions in Our Colleges

Labour MP Liz Twist

National officer Leigh Powell said: “It was great to hear from MPs how keen they were to get behind the campaign to recognise the importance of support staff and the importance of the FE and sixth form college sector as a whole.

“We were particularly pleased to be given the opportunity to make MPs aware of the issues around a lack of proper national bargaining (in England) which led to huge differences in funding levels for colleges this year. I’m sure this event will help us make improvements for many staff in the sector, and that’s what we fight for every day.”

Find out more at the campaign webpage

The article MPs celebrate college support staff first appeared on the UNISON National site.

MPs celebrate college support staff

UNISON is asking MPs to visit their local colleges tomorrow, 9 February, to celebrate Champions in Our Colleges as part of the ongoing campaign to fully recognise the importance of support staff in education.

On Tuesday, the union held a drop-in event at Westminster, where MPs discussed their local colleges and the funding problems in the sector.

As well as listening to issues which affect the sector nationally, MPs were keen to talk about what they could do to support their local colleges.

There was a particular focus on the apprenticeship system, its importance and how to make it work better – highlighting the benefit, as part of a well-rounded education system, of quality apprenticeships to individuals and to the economy as a whole.

Labour MP Kim Johnson showing support for Champions in Our Colleges

Labour MP Kim Johnson

The event also gave UNISON officers the opportunity to tell MPs of the union’s concerns with pay bargaining in England, the outsourcing of support staff jobs on worse pay and conditions, and poor staffing levels.

The MPs who attended included Ben Bradshaw, George Howarth, Kim Johnson, Justin Madders, Toby Perkins, Virenda Sharma, Liz Twist, Beth Winter, Christian Wakeford and Daniel Zeichner (all Labour), Munira Wilson (Lib Dems) and Chris Stephens (SNP).

Labour MP Daniel Zeichner showing support for Champions in Our Colleges

Labour MP Daniel Zeichner

Champions in Our Colleges celebrates the important role of support staff in colleges and aims to raise awareness of the issues they face.

UNISON encourages all stakeholders, leaders, teachers, other support staff, learners, MPs and the local community to show support staff how much they are valued. The event was run nationally for the first time in February last year.

Labour MP Liz Twist shows her support for Champions in Our Colleges

Labour MP Liz Twist

National officer Leigh Powell said: “It was great to hear from MPs how keen they were to get behind the campaign to recognise the importance of support staff and the importance of the FE and sixth form college sector as a whole.

“We were particularly pleased to be given the opportunity to make MPs aware of the issues around a lack of proper national bargaining (in England) which led to huge differences in funding levels for colleges this year. I’m sure this event will help us make improvements for many staff in the sector, and that’s what we fight for every day.”

Find out more at the campaign webpage

The article MPs celebrate college support staff first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Stars in Our Schools goes to Parliament

On Tuesday 21 November, MPs from across the political spectrum joined UNISON at a parliamentary event celebrating the work of school support staff.

The event was hosted in the run-up to the union’s annual celebration day, Stars in Our Schools, on Friday 24 November.

Stars in Our Schools highlights the vital role of support staff in helping children learn, keeping them safe and happy, and ensuring schools run smoothly. These are roles including caterers, cleaners, admin staff, finance officers, teaching assistants, librarians and technicians.

The drop-in event, hosted by Kim Johnson MP, gave politicians the opportunity to show their support for schools staff and hear about the problems they face.

UNISON members Sue Ryles (pictured above, left) and Claire Stanhope (pictured above, right) shared their experiences with MPs including John McDonnell (centre) and Paula Barker (pictured below). Sue is a teaching assistant in Great Yarmouth and Claire is a nursery nurse and schools convenor in Oxfordshire.

Paula Barker MP holding a 'Stars in Our Schools' sign

Claire said: “It was great to speak not only to my own MP, but to MPs from across the UK. We talked about the crisis with SEND schools, that there is a lack of places for the children that has a knock-on effect on SEND children being in mainstream school where, although the support staff do a wonderful job, they haven’t had adequate training.

“Mental health problems are on the rise in schools but the training for staff to help the children isn’t adequate. The schools budgets have been cut and it’s normally the support staff that are the ones that the schools cut first.

“I was happy to hear from some MPs that they would fight for more funding for school and support staff, and adequate training for staff to be able to support SEND children and children struggling with their mental health”

UNISON national officer Joanna Parry said: “Stars in Our Schools is about recognising and celebrating the huge contribution support staff make in schools and it was great that MPs were able to join us to mark the occasion.

“More importantly, it gave an opportunity for MPs to hear firsthand about the urgent issues that need addressing in schools. It is crucial that schools – and those who work in them – have the investment they desperately need”

Find out more about Stars In Our Schools

The article Stars in Our Schools goes to Parliament first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Stars in Our Schools goes to Parliament

On Tuesday 21 November, MPs from across the political spectrum joined UNISON at a parliamentary event celebrating the work of school support staff.

The event was hosted in the run-up to the union’s annual celebration day, Stars in Our Schools, on Friday 24 November.

Stars in Our Schools highlights the vital role of support staff in helping children learn, keeping them safe and happy, and ensuring schools run smoothly. These are roles including caterers, cleaners, admin staff, finance officers, teaching assistants, librarians and technicians.

The drop-in event, hosted by Kim Johnson MP, gave politicians the opportunity to show their support for schools staff and hear about the problems they face.

UNISON members Sue Ryles (pictured above, left) and Claire Stanhope (pictured above, right) shared their experiences with MPs including John McDonnell (centre) and Paula Barker (pictured below). Sue is a teaching assistant in Great Yarmouth and Claire is a nursery nurse and schools convenor in Oxfordshire.

Paula Barker MP holding a 'Stars in Our Schools' sign

Claire said: “It was great to speak not only to my own MP, but to MPs from across the UK. We talked about the crisis with SEND schools, that there is a lack of places for the children that has a knock-on effect on SEND children being in mainstream school where, although the support staff do a wonderful job, they haven’t had adequate training.

“Mental health problems are on the rise in schools but the training for staff to help the children isn’t adequate. The schools budgets have been cut and it’s normally the support staff that are the ones that the schools cut first.

“I was happy to hear from some MPs that they would fight for more funding for school and support staff, and adequate training for staff to be able to support SEND children and children struggling with their mental health”

UNISON national officer Joanna Parry said: “Stars in Our Schools is about recognising and celebrating the huge contribution support staff make in schools and it was great that MPs were able to join us to mark the occasion.

“More importantly, it gave an opportunity for MPs to hear firsthand about the urgent issues that need addressing in schools. It is crucial that schools – and those who work in them – have the investment they desperately need”

Find out more about Stars In Our Schools

The article Stars in Our Schools goes to Parliament first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Come clean about school risks and invest to remedy problems

Commenting on the Public Accounts Committee report published today (Sunday) into the condition of school buildings, UNISON head of education Mike Short said:

“Ministers have continually failed to tackle or come clean about serious structural problems that have put pupil and staff safety at risk, as this report makes clear.

“Years of neglect and underfunding have worsened the situation, leaving some schools on the verge of collapse.

“With the autumn statement just days away, the chancellor must earmark the cash needed to ensure all school buildings are fit places to work and study.

“The government has to get a grip. A refurbishment and building programme is needed urgently to prevent further disruption to schooling and ensure no one’s put in danger.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk

The article Come clean about school risks and invest to remedy problems first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Come clean about school risks and invest to remedy problems

Commenting on the Public Accounts Committee report published today (Sunday) into the condition of school buildings, UNISON head of education Mike Short said:

“Ministers have continually failed to tackle or come clean about serious structural problems that have put pupil and staff safety at risk, as this report makes clear.

“Years of neglect and underfunding have worsened the situation, leaving some schools on the verge of collapse.

“With the autumn statement just days away, the chancellor must earmark the cash needed to ensure all school buildings are fit places to work and study.

“The government has to get a grip. A refurbishment and building programme is needed urgently to prevent further disruption to schooling and ensure no one’s put in danger.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk

The article Come clean about school risks and invest to remedy problems first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Poole education members strike over low pay

UNISON members at The Victoria Education Centre in Poole are taking strike action today, after their employer failed to deliver a pay rise for staff.

The special education school is run by disability charity Livability, but it has not made a pay offer that addresses historic low wages by comparison to other school settings across Dorset and nationally.

A membership recruitment campaign began in 2021 and saw a recognition agreement signed with the employer in March 2022.

Regional organiser Mike Cracknell said: “The strength of feeling was so high that a formal industrial action ballot generated a whopping 81% response rate, of which 97% showed their anger and voted in favour of taking action.

“Members strive daily to create a nurturing and inclusive environment for children with dedicated and skilled support staff as the backbone of the school community, working tirelessly to ensure that every child receives the support they need to thrive.”

School support staff salaries have not kept pace with the rising cost of living, leaving many staff struggling to make ends meet. It is nearly two years since some staff received a pay increase.

This financial strain is driving staff away, as they seek better opportunities elsewhere.

Senior teaching assistant and UNISON workplace representative Rhian Rothery said: “We have been paid low in comparison to local schools for a very long time.

“After a lot of time and effort over the last year and a half, trying to reach an agreement without success, our members felt the next step was to strike. We love our job and that is why we are here – strike is the last thing we want to do but we deserve fair pay.

“We would all much prefer to be doing what we love, caring for and supporting our students.”

The article Poole education members strike over low pay first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Poole education members strike over low pay

UNISON members at The Victoria Education Centre in Poole are taking strike action today, after their employer failed to deliver a pay rise for staff.

The special education school is run by disability charity Livability, but it has not made a pay offer that addresses historic low wages by comparison to other school settings across Dorset and nationally.

A membership recruitment campaign began in 2021 and saw a recognition agreement signed with the employer in March 2022.

Regional organiser Mike Cracknell said: “The strength of feeling was so high that a formal industrial action ballot generated a whopping 81% response rate, of which 97% showed their anger and voted in favour of taking action.

“Members strive daily to create a nurturing and inclusive environment for children with dedicated and skilled support staff as the backbone of the school community, working tirelessly to ensure that every child receives the support they need to thrive.”

School support staff salaries have not kept pace with the rising cost of living, leaving many staff struggling to make ends meet. It is nearly two years since some staff received a pay increase.

This financial strain is driving staff away, as they seek better opportunities elsewhere.

Senior teaching assistant and UNISON workplace representative Rhian Rothery said: “We have been paid low in comparison to local schools for a very long time.

“After a lot of time and effort over the last year and a half, trying to reach an agreement without success, our members felt the next step was to strike. We love our job and that is why we are here – strike is the last thing we want to do but we deserve fair pay.

“We would all much prefer to be doing what we love, caring for and supporting our students.”

The article Poole education members strike over low pay first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Twinkle, twinkle: Stars in Our Schools is back

Friday 24 November is the day when UNISON celebrates the huge contribution of support staff to our children’s education.

The aim of the celebration day is to showcase and bring attention to the vital work support staff do, every day, to help children progress, keep them safe and healthy and keep schools running smoothly.

There are a variety of support staff roles including teaching assistants, site managers, catering staff, welfare staff, technicians, admin staff and cleaners, among others.

As much of this work is done behind the scenes, support staff don’t get the attention they deserve. This includes members working in early years settings, so not only will we be celebrating Stars in Our Schools, this year we’ll also be celebrating Early Years Stars too.

All types of schools and early years settings are encouraged to take part this November. Over the past few years, primaries, secondaries, special schools, academies and faith schools have all got involved in a variety of ways – including holding special assemblies, coffee mornings, sports afternoons or learning events.

Some have invited their local MPs to visit and witness first hand what support staff do. Others have held fancy dress days, organised quizzes or asked the children to interview support staff to find out more about their role.

We know schools and early years settings are under huge pressure at the moment. It remains more important than ever for UNISON to highlight the valuable and fantastic contributions of support staff. We would love you to get involved and celebrate on 24 November, but it can be anytime in November if that works better.

We would also love for you to share your photos of your celebrations with us on social media – remember to use the hashtags #starsinourschools #earlyyearsstars

Ordering merchandise
There is a range of merchandise available to order for both Stars in Our Schools and Early Years Stars. To ensure you receive them in good time, you must place your order no later than 6 October.

Order merchandise

Resources
There are lots of free resources on the website to help you celebrate the day, from social media assets, PowerPoint slides, letter templates and more. Keep checking the website as we make regular updates.

Prize draw
We are running an exciting prize draw where anyone can nominate a support staff member who they think is a Star. The winning Star and the person who nominates them both win a £25 shopping voucher, per region, so there are 24 prizes up for grabs. Nominations opens on the website from mid-October.

The article Twinkle, twinkle: Stars in Our Schools is back first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Twinkle, twinkle: Stars in Our Schools is back

Friday 24 November is the day when UNISON celebrates the huge contribution of support staff to our children’s education.

The aim of the celebration day is to showcase and bring attention to the vital work support staff do, every day, to help children progress, keep them safe and healthy and keep schools running smoothly.

There are a variety of support staff roles including teaching assistants, site managers, catering staff, welfare staff, technicians, admin staff and cleaners, among others.

As much of this work is done behind the scenes, support staff don’t get the attention they deserve. This includes members working in early years settings, so not only will we be celebrating Stars in Our Schools, this year we’ll also be celebrating Early Years Stars too.

All types of schools and early years settings are encouraged to take part this November. Over the past few years, primaries, secondaries, special schools, academies and faith schools have all got involved in a variety of ways – including holding special assemblies, coffee mornings, sports afternoons or learning events.

Some have invited their local MPs to visit and witness first hand what support staff do. Others have held fancy dress days, organised quizzes or asked the children to interview support staff to find out more about their role.

We know schools and early years settings are under huge pressure at the moment. It remains more important than ever for UNISON to highlight the valuable and fantastic contributions of support staff. We would love you to get involved and celebrate on 24 November, but it can be anytime in November if that works better.

We would also love for you to share your photos of your celebrations with us on social media – remember to use the hashtags #starsinourschools #earlyyearsstars

Ordering merchandise
There is a range of merchandise available to order for both Stars in Our Schools and Early Years Stars. To ensure you receive them in good time, you must place your order no later than 6 October.

Order merchandise

Resources
There are lots of free resources on the website to help you celebrate the day, from social media assets, PowerPoint slides, letter templates and more. Keep checking the website as we make regular updates.

Prize draw
We are running an exciting prize draw where anyone can nominate a support staff member who they think is a Star. The winning Star and the person who nominates them both win a £25 shopping voucher, per region, so there are 24 prizes up for grabs. Nominations opens on the website from mid-October.

The article Twinkle, twinkle: Stars in Our Schools is back first appeared on the UNISON National site.