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Helping to improve race equality MORE than 1,500 members have been trained in how to use the NEU’s framework for developing an anti-racist approach in their schools and colleges. The union has been inundated with requests for the training since the 22-page framework (pictured above) was launched in 2020, just after the Black Lives Matter protests. NEU race equality policy specialist Karen Chouhan, one of the union’s trainers, said initial teacher education providers had also booked the course, with one session attracting around 90 trainees. Training, which can be tailored to the
school or college, includes what it means to be anti-racist rather than simply being against racism, acceptable language, and advice on how to produce an action plan. Topics include unconscious bias and micro-aggressions. “We have heard some teachers say they don’t need the training because they don’t have many Black children in their school. We explain that there’s even more need for it because those children will be going out into a world where they need to know about how to be anti-racist,” said Karen. Earlier this year, the Hamilton Commission – established by seven times Formula 1 racing world champion Lewis Hamilton – recommended that all schools adopt the framework to help improve race equality in education. Lewis addressed the NEU’s Black educators’ conference in 2020, where he spoke
about his own experience of being excluded from school. The framework in action Danny Richards, head of school at Boulton Ark Academy, has been working with the NEU since May to implement the framework through training sessions with staff and policy sessions. A staff working group has been set up at the Birmingham school, which will contribute to its equality policy. “The framework has provided us with the confidence to have conversations around inclusion and diversity within our school community,” said Danny. “It provides a pathway for improvement and unwraps what is a very complicated topic, making it far easier to digest and work through.”
n Email equality@neu.org.uk to let us know about the work you are doing.
SCHOOL leaders and educators from maintained nursery schools (MNS) joined parents, campaigners and a dozen MPs to deliver a 2,000-signature petition to Downing Street (left). Hundreds joined the protest, which called for more funding to prevent nursery school closures. MNS, which deliver high-quality pre-school education usually in areas of high deprivation, have been hit by a lack of funding and Covid-related costs. A joint union survey found 46 per cent of MNS leaders were already in deficit for the year by the end of March 2021. Only 23 per cent said they could continue to operate with current funding levels. The petition – signed by school leaders and educators from almost every MNS in the country – called on the Chancellor to “take urgent action to provide adequate funding” for MNS. PHOTO by Rehan Jamil
Northern Irish supply teacher register is ‘open to abuse’ THE NEU has proposed measures to strengthen the rights of temporary supply teachers in a forthcoming review of the Northern Ireland Substitute Teacher Register. The online system benefits schools and teachers in providing a source of qualified teachers and pays an appropriate agreed rate, 16
depending on the scale of the teacher. It is designed to be a register for booking shortterm cover only. However, the system is open to abuse – for example, to cover vacant temporary posts such as maternity leave, which last over six months. And the NEU believes the system
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for reporting abuse of the register is not fit for purpose because the onus lies with the substitute teacher to report their employer. The NEU has proposed automatic identification of the use of daily contracts to shift the onus onto employing authorities and trade unions through automated reports.
