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Ruby’s afro hair saga
Greenwich rep Kirstie Paton is facing disciplinary charges for raising health and safety concerns at her school. Sign at bit.ly/2LV5Zbu
Supply educators get NEU subs holiday
MEMBERS in financial difficulty are being offered a subscriptions ‘holiday’ by the union.
The NEU executive agreed in January to offer the payment break to all those in receipt of grants from the Hardship Fund.
This follows a similar response during the first lockdown last year when more than 800 members – mainly supply teachers and agency workers – had their subs suspended for four months from April.
The length of the benefit this year will depend on the full reopening of schools and colleges, and will end on 31 August at the latest.
Many agencies refusing to pay furlough
Katherine Green, supply teacher officer for Kirklees, Yorkshire, told Educate many members were struggling financially during the current lockdown with the loss of longterm arrangements and day-to-day work.
She said many agencies were refusing to furlough supply staff, “leaving them in a dire situation”.
“Receiving a subscription payment holiday will provide supply members with the security and support of the union without having to choose between paying their bills and subscription fees,” she said.
To request the subs holiday, email the NEU membership and subscriptions team at membership@neu.org.uk
The union will accept membership applications from educators who are experiencing similar financial problems and they will be entitled to the subs break as long as they set up a direct debit for the following membership year starting in September.
Katherine Green (left)
Ruby, aged 14 in 2016, the first time she was sent home from school because of her natural hair
Barrister expelled after Ruby Williams racist trope
A BARRISTER has been expelled from his chambers for calling a pupil who won a hair discrimination case against her school a “stroppy teenager of colour” on social media.
Ruby Williams was repeatedly sent home from her school because of her afro hair between the ages of 14 to 16 (see Educate, Jan/Feb 2021). Ruby’s family was successful in using the Equalities Act 2010 with the support of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in a legal case against the school.
On 17 January, barrister Jon Holbrook attacked Ruby on Twitter when he shared a video from the EHRC about Ruby’s case, commenting: “The Equality Act undermines school discipline by empowering the stroppy teenager of colour.”
The tweet was widely condemned and Holbrook was subsequently expelled from his chambers by his employers, Cornerstone Barristers.
Ruby’s mother, Kate, told Educate: “This incident has brought back many painful memories. But we are resolved to use this platform to make sure that all schools eradicate this form of policing children with afro hair.”
Ruby, who is now 19 and studying at Manchester University, released a statement on Twitter, saying: “If standing up for my right to have the same uniform policy as everyone else in the school makes me a ‘stroppy teenager’ then I am proud to be one.”
Advice for Roma after Brexit
EASTERN European Roma families may need to take steps to ensure they remain lawfully resident in the UK following Brexit.
The NEU has collated information for teachers with Roma children in their schools advising them how they can support families to ensure they have the right to remain in the country.
The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) requires all non-British and non-Irish EU citizens to register to continue to live and work in the UK by 30 June.
Visit neu.org.uk/media/13661
Remembering Black pioneers
THE union is planning to mark 30 years of the Black Educators’ Conference this year, including the creation of an archive of pioneering Black teachers.
It will feature women such as Yvonne Conolly, the first Black woman head teacher in the UK, and Beryl Gilroy, who also became a head teacher. Yvonne, who was made a CBE last year, died aged 81 at the end of January, when many paid tribute to her courage and inspiration. Beryl died in 2001.
Email suggestions of Black education pioneers to equality@neu.org.uk
Union launches new teaching packs for KS1 and 2
THE NEU has launched Our Histories, a pack aimed at key stages 1 and 2, containing information and teaching ideas for five global equality and cultural events: Martin Luther King Day, Holocaust Memorial Day, Chinese New Year, Black History Month and LGBT+ History Month.
It was developed before the recent closure of schools, so some ideas may need to be adapted for remote learning. It is not intended to include everything, but there are links to further resources and information. n Visit neu.org.uk/equality to download the teaching pack.
SHOW Racism the Red Card’s (SRtRC) hugely successful online school training course, Promoting Equality and Tackling Racism in Schools, has been officially accredited by The CPD Certification Service.
Almost 3,000 educators have taken part in the course, created from 25 years of experience helping anyone who works in an educational setting to overcome the barriers to anti-racism education in the classroom.
The course covers four main areas: n understanding what racism is n equipping educators with the tools they need to respond to racist incidents around them n greater understanding of appropriate terminology n the need for a culturally affirming school ethos.
SRtRC is the UK’s largest anti-racism educational charity. Visit theredcard.org
Be seen, be heard, be included
IN 2020, race and racism were highlighted by the pandemic and events in the US and UK. The NEU began a rollout of the antiracist framework for schools and published its decolonising education conference report.
Organisers and members in nearly all regions held online events and training sessions around the framework and decolonisation of the curriculum. Many others designed sessions highlighting different aspects of race and racism.
Next generation of Black leaders
London region NEU ran a Black female educators in leadership course last term, led by Aisha Thomas, assistant principal at a Bristol school and director of Representation Matters (see page 15, opposite).
It covered a range of topics, including the Black experience; understanding union structures; how to get involved; and going for a promotion.
Aisha said: “The course was an amazing opportunity for Black women to share in the richness of their experiences, yet at the same time learn new skills. Here at Representation Matters, we believe that until society represents everyone, the question will always be, do I belong? This course provided the opportunity to be seen, heard and included.”
Opportunity to express trauma
Often discussions about anti-racist practice focus on ensuring that institutions and educators who lack knowledge or experience get the support, training and information they need.
While this is important, we must not neglect those who live with the weight of racism every day. The killing of George Floyd in America last year and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK has been very triggering for Black communities, so it is important that initiatives are set up for those who need an opportunity to express their trauma, in a professional and practical way. We need to see celebration and encouragement.
One attendee said: “Thanks ever so much for orchestrating, leading and guiding us in developing our leadership skills and empowering us for our future endeavours.”
Feima Sannoh, course facilitator and NEU regional officer, said: “It has been really rewarding to engage with reps on this course. It was interesting to hear about their various professional backgrounds, their experience as reps, the challenges that they face in the workplace and their goals for the future.
“The reps felt they were in a safe space and were empowered.”
Aisha (left) and Sharon PHOTO by Kois Miah
Aisha Thomas
Sharon Anderson, senior regional officer, London
