February Executive NEU’s

Tracy McGuire, newly elected Support Staff member, was welcomed to her first meeting, as was Dr Bernard Regan, one of the four Union Trustees.

Joint General Secretaries’ report

The (very helpful) feedback from the breakout sessions will be collated and will inform continuing discussions by the Executive and the SMT on the Union’s post-election strategies.

Sixth Form College Pay Dispute 2019-2020

· The Staff Side met with the Sixth Form College Association (SFCA) to continue discussions about sixth form college teachers’ pay from 1 September 2019.

· The Staff Side restated its rejection of the SFCA’s offer of 1.5% increase for September 2019, which was well below the 2.75% increase for school teachers, and not effective until August 2020.

· Both sides decided that they wanted to reach an agreement if possible and agreed to have further discussions with their members before resuming negotiations later in the spring term.

· NEU members working in 34 sixth form colleges will take strike action on Wednesday 12 February, Thursday 27 February and Tuesday 10 March 2020 (the day before Budget day).

· Executive members encouraged to send messages of solidarity on the strike days.

· The current ballot expires in March; indicative ballots currently underway, organised by Regional Secretaries.

OFSTED

· The NEU has launched major new guidance on contractual responsibilities for members undergoing Ofsted inspection in response to complaints about school inspections following the introduction of Ofsted’s new framework in September 2019.

· Primary schools have been particularly affected with teachers taking on curriculum responsibilities without additional pay or time for management duties.

· The NEU wrote to Amanda Spielman, HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, referencing the STPCD Statutory guidance on responsibility, accountability and appropriate additional payments (TLRs).

· The new framework has clearly been designed with secondary school management and resources in mind and failed to create a more constructive relationship between inspectorate and workforce although it was noted that ‘mock deep dives’ remained a concern.

· Very significant public statement by Sir Dan Moynihan (Harris chief executive), Dame Rachel de Souza (chief executive, Inspiration Trust) and Martyn Oliver (Outwood Grange Academies Trust chief executive) that Ofsted was “not fit for purpose” and that the framework was unworkable; following a meeting with Amanda Spielman.

The Executive agreed to submit the following Emergency Motion for TUC Women’s 2020 calling for:

i. Affiliates to support the appeal to clear the name of 19-year-old woman found guilty of lying about being raped by 12 men in Ayia Napa;

ii. Campaign to ensure all schools have the capacity and confidence to teach about issues of consent and violence against women and girls, within RSE and through a whole school approach;

iii. Government to properly fund rape crisis services and specialist services so that no survivor is turned away;

iv. Support the campaign ‘‘we can’t consent to this’’; and

v. Support the End Violence Against Women’s Coalition’s judicial review against the CPS to get better justice for survivors of rape.

As part of its key governance role, the Executive noted the Budget v actual variance report to 31 December 2019, the NEU Accounts for the eight months to 31 August

2019, alongside the management and governance report from auditors BDO. The Union’s AR21 has been duly submitted to the Certification Officer (and similar for Northern Ireland). Following an extensive tender exercise, the Executive agreed to award the catering contract for Hamilton House to Graysons (which provide catering services for British Library and the Crick Institute amongst others). With the HQ refurbishment on schedule, and with the final cohort of staff due to vacate the offices at 7 Northumberland Street in the autumn term and move to Hamilton House, it was also agreed to begin the process of selling 7 Northumberland Street.

GPC and Union Strength considered the initial stages of a review into NEU Conferences 2019 and jointly agreed the following principles as the basis for a more detailed set of proposals for further consideration at the March meetings and as the basis for Executive committee amendments to any relevant prioritised conference motions.

A number of amendments were made to Conference Standing Orders to clarify the mechanism for Conference debating and adopting the Annual Report.

The Executive agreed to donate £5000 to the UCU hardship fund to support their current campaign and action in universities and to encourage local districts to also make donations and/or twin with their local striking university.

The Executive agreed that the following Behaviour Statement shall apply to all NEU member meetings, conferences, courses and events, whether national, regional, district, branch or workplace. Both strategy committees have discussed mechanisms to implement the Behaviour Statement at all NEU events as the basis to draft detailed implementation guidance.

Everyone attending a National Education Union (NEU) event has the right to expect a space free from bullying, intimidation and harassment; to be treated with dignity, respect and courtesy and not to be discriminated against. The NEU will not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination. Members attending an NEU event are responsible for their own behaviour and must ensure they behave appropriately showing respect to others during NEU events and social activities. Reports of inappropriate behaviour, including behaviour which brings injury or discredit to the Union, will be treated seriously and acted upon promptly. Any such behaviour may ultimately result in attendees being asked to leave and/or action being taken against members under the Union’s Code of Professional Conduct. The event coordinator will outline how members can report inappropriate behaviour, and the event coordinator has complete discretion to ask individuals to leave the event.

NEU member and school rep at St Bede’s Catholic Primary School, Monika Lufter was one of the victims of the stabbings in Streatham on Sunday 2 February 2020. Monika has been released from hospital and is recovering well. Mary and Kevin have sent flowers to Monika on behalf of all her friends and colleagues in the Union.

The Executive observed a minute’s silence in memory of Richard Garner, former education correspondent on both the Daily Mirror and the Independent and a great friend and supporter of both legacy unions and the education profession.