‘Incredibly inspiring to share common goals’

Safiyya Patel (pictured) is a primary school teacher and NEU rep in West Yorkshire. She is the Yorkshire and Humber representative on the NEU’s Black organising forum.

What do you love about your job?

Every day I get to engage with a huge variety of young people, which is a privilege. They challenge me, make me laugh, inspire me, frustrate me at times and never fail to make me want to help them learn.

From the smallest greeting in the morning as I walk from my car, to the longer, more involved and detailed conversations about whatever topic we are completing, the interactions with students are one of the things that make my day unique.

What do you love about being in the union?

The collective power we have as educators united under the NEU’s umbrella is empowering. Together, we can make a significant impact by advocating for our rights, improving working conditions and resources that benefit both educators and students.

Knowing that I am part of a network of passionate and dedicated individuals who share a common goal of providing the best education possible is incredibly inspiring. The support and guidance we offer one another make the challenges of the profession more manageable.

Most importantly, the NEU’s advocacy for education is something I deeply appreciate. Working collectively to shape education policies and campaigns that promote fairness and equity in our education system is a cause I am proud to support. Being part of the NEU provides me with a sense of belonging, personal growth, and the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of educators and students alike.

What have you been up to lately?

I have been involved in activities related to Black organising and advocacy. I’ve helped to organise a conference for the Yorkshire and Humber region, which will provide a platform for Black members to come together and formulate strategies for positive change. I’ve also been delivering training on the NEU’s anti-racist framework.

I am in the process of engaging with my multi-academy trust (MAT) to secure the role of branch secretary for all the schools within the MAT. This position would provide

THIS year I became a member of the NEU to join the strike action. At my previous union I had been active in the LGBT+ community.

My reservations about leaving this behind were dispelled during half term when I attended the south east LGBT+ weekender (pictured right) in Canterbury. It was so valuable: I have come away with an excellent bank of resources to help me run Pride month at school.

It can often feel like you are going it alone in school; having this space to collaborate has both saved me time and improved the quality of what I am going to deliver. It is important to recognise that many of our LGBT+ colleagues face specific challenges in the workplace that are not shared by all members. This conference gives members a safe space to share, support, and advise.

By Ben Ross, teacher at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys

me with the opportunity to support and advocate for teachers, staff and students across the entire network of schools, promoting inclusivity, diversity and equality.

What’s important to you right now?

The future of our children and the education system depends on Education Secretary Gillian Keegan doing the right thing. The priority is to get members actively involved in the union, to act together as a profession to make the Government see sense and improve its offer to teachers.

What do you do on your day off?

I hit the gym for a challenging workout, go for a run to feel the rush of adrenaline, or engage in outdoor adventures like hiking or cycling. When I’m not on the go, I find solace in reading, diving into captivating books that transport me to different worlds. And I make sure to carve out time for relaxation, whether it’s enjoying a lazy day at home or unwinding with my favourite TV shows.

Tell us something we don’t know.

I was born in Malawi and recently revisited my home country. Inspired by the needs I witnessed, I am now in the process of starting a charity aimed at developing schools. My goal is to create educational opportunities and improve the infrastructure of schools in Malawi, ensuring that children have access to quality education. Through this initiative, I hope to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of young students, empowering them with knowledge and skills that will shape their futures.

MORE than 100 retired members (pictured above) gathered in London to celebrate their love of and commitment to the trade union movement at the NEU’s retired members’ conference in May.

NEU president Louise Atkinson, addressing delegates, said: “The experience and knowledge held by our retired members is so valuable to us as a union.” She added that retired members do many important jobs within the union’s local structures.

NEU lead pensions officer Nick Kirby gave an update on changes to the state pension and the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

Sheffield parents resist KES transfer into controversial MAT

PARENTS have successfully pushed back on Government plans to transfer Sheffield’s last local authority (LA) secondary school into a multi-academy trust with a controversial reputation.

Department for Education (DfE) officials had lined up Brigantia Learning Trust to take over King Edward VII School (KES), which received an Inadequate Ofsted rating in January this year. The plans were only discovered when Mark Boylan, an education academic based at Sheffield Hallam University, whose daughter attends the school, came across an online copy of the agenda for the DfE’s regional advisory board, due to take place the following week.

This meant parents challenging the decision had just a few days to respond.

Brigantia runs five schools, two of which are rated Requires improvement (RI) by Ofsted. Parents objected to the hypocrisy of plans to transfer KES to a trust which has two RI schools, given that the DfE has been proposing to academise LA schools with two successive RIs.

Yorkshire and Humber regional director Alison Wilson has deferred the decision on the takeover to June or July.

Debbie Huxton, community safety officer for modern slavery at Sandwell Council, delivered an extremely enlightening, yet harrowing, account of modern slavery in England. She focused on children who have been trafficked into the UK, semi-attend local schools and face unspeakable cruelty at home, and discussed the ways retired members and schools can help.

The conference showed that retired members are a powerhouse for trade union activity.

Why FSM can help all children

By Merium Bhuiyan (left), London-based GCSE English college lecturer and NEU child poverty virtual reference group member

IN further education, I witness the effects of poverty first hand. Many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds struggle with limited access to resources, inadequate nutrition and a lack of educational support, which often hinders their academic performance and overall wellbeing.

With the rising cost of food and housing, many parents are struggling. This has led to a growing call for free school meals (FSM) for all children, regardless of their family’s income.

Here’s why: Tackling poverty FSM for all would help tackle poverty in Britain.

Improving

Academic Performance

There is growing evidence that access to FSM can improve academic performance, helping concentration and performance in school.

Reducing stigma Children from lowincome families are often stigmatised for receiving FSM. We can help to reduce this by treating all children equally. Promoting healthy habits FSM can help promote healthy eating habits and combat childhood obesity. n Visit nochildleftbehind.org.uk

FE members balloting for strike

THE further education (FE) pay claim this year is significant in a number of ways. Not only are FE members more interested in taking industrial action over pay than ever before, but the joint unions are seeking to re-establish coherent collective bargaining in the sector. Since 1993, employers in FE colleges have been able to negotiate locally. Furthermore, unlike in sixth forms in schools, pay increases in FE are only recommended.

Unions met the Association of Colleges (AoC) on 11 May to negotiate on pay but were deeply disappointed that the AoC did not make a recommendation on pay.

The NEU, along with the other FE unions, will be consulting its members this term on the lack of an employer offer for 2023/24. The NEU and the other FE unions will then seek a mandate for action in the autumn term.

Michael Rosen