14 minute read
Proud to be NEU
March 2020-2021: a year that changed the union
WHAT a year. For the vast majority of NEU members it has been without question the most challenging of all.
The pandemic changed our world. Schools and colleges were closed to most students on 23 March 2020, and everything has been in constant flux for schools, colleges and staff ever since. Educators have had to face up to the challenge of remote learning, continuous changes to advice and safety measures, and countless Government U-turns.
We’ve faced huge safety risks and many members have died.
But as we look back at the challenges of the last year, NEU members have much to be proud of. From stopping schools reopening too early in June, and signing Section 44 letters to force the closure of schools again this January, to successfully campaigning for the continued provision of free school meals and laptops for the poorest families, members have fought for themselves, colleagues and learners.
When the Black Lives Matter movement exploded in the summer we were there too, hosting a huge overseas Zoom call with American civil rights campaigner Jesse Jackson, giving voice to our Black members and students. And on 3 January the NEU held a Zoom meeting with 400,000 people – the largest political online meeting in UK history – insisting schools were not safe to open.
News, new members and new reps
The NEU has been all over the news – the front pages of papers, regular voices on TV and radio – demanding safety for our members, particularly those most at risk, throughout the year. The NEU is now a household name.
New members have flocked to our banner in numbers never seen before. More than 20,000 educators joined us in the first week of 2021 alone, and hundreds of new reps have stepped up, representing a new spirit of activism.
So we at Educate wanted to mark a year of extraordinary change by asking NEU members: what are you most proud of?
NEU president Robin Bevan told the magazine: “The education workforce has shown extraordinary resilience in the face of exceptional challenges and under utterly incompetent national political leadership.
“There has been a remarkable resurgence of members, working together, exercising their NEU influence to ensure our schools and colleges are safe, healthy, productive environments for working and learning. I am proud that the NEU is changing the narrative with positive, visionary trade unionism.”
On the following pages members share their stories. Tell us what makes you most proud to be a member of the NEU by emailing us at educate@neu.org.uk
Karina Maloney (left), primary teacher, curriculum diversity lead, member of the NEU London Black organising forum, Lewisham
“FOR many educators and school workers, 2020 will have been the most difficult and challenging year to date. As educators, we know that our role extends far beyond the classroom and the pandemic highlighted this. Coming to the forefront, for all the world to see, were the inequalities in our society.
“We watched news reports share the statistics of Black and Asian people being more likely to die from the virus. This was a frightening period for Black members within the NEU, who battled with justifying risk assessments, teaching in person and remotely, all while the world watched the brutal killing in the US of George Floyd by a police officer during an arrest.
“Through the use of Zoom, Black members began to self-organise like never before. We had weekly Friday check-ins which began in May, started by Daniel Kebede, our Black executive seat holder. Each week there were more than 100 Black members in attendance.
“This became a safe space for Black members to ask questions, receive support and learn from each other. I am most proud of seeing Black members mobilise to try and make our workplaces safe, and organise to ensure that young Black children were not disadvantaged by the examination system, while still teaching and fighting for our lives.”
continued on page 26
Interviews by Emily Jenkins Portraits by Kois Miah, Aled Llywelyn, Matt Wilkinson and Paul Greenwood
Mark Inman (left), teacher, NEU rep, Merseyside
“WHAT I am most proud of is the solidarity. We have all come together to support each other and protect the best interests of our members and, most importantly, the students we teach. “I’m proud of being part of the local reps’ WhatsApp group and attending the Zoom calls at both local and national level as we fight for what we believe is right for education. It makes you realise you’re not alone but part of a wider family of education professionals who have the same vision. “As a rep, I am proud of working with other unions to unite staff and “We have all support what we are trying to achieve. Working together gives us a stronger voice and makes our efforts more powerful. come together “Finally, I appreciate the support from our local secretary, who supports us by getting everyone united, to support updating our training and empowering us to have the passion and confidence in what we are doing. each other.” It is reassuring to know they are only a call or message away.”
Sandra Persaud (above), year 1 teacher, NEU lead academy chain rep, Orpington
“FROM the moment the pandemic began the NEU stepped up massively to support members. Reps were suddenly in an unknown and frightening situation. We were being asked questions that we could not answer, and people needed reassuring that their safety was being put first.
“The NEU provided us with a wealth of information, which enabled us to feedback knowledgeably to our members. Kevin and Mary kept us updated regularly and their presence in the media was reassuring. This meant that, when we requested that school reopening in June be delayed by a week, members felt empowered and supported enough to sign the letter to their head.
“I cannot do justice to all of the ways that the NEU has been there for us, including the Black Lives Matter webinar (see page 25). I just could not imagine going through these incredibly stressful times without the union behind me.”
Laura Morris (above), head of humanities, equality rep, Manchester
“FROM the first week of lockdown we made sure our students were involved in weekly Zoom lessons from The Black Curriculum. Following the killing of George Floyd, it gave students the opportunity to talk about how they were feeling and to offer support to each other at a time when they couldn’t physically be together.
“In September, my colleague Ben Wilson and I set up an antiracist working group. We’ve used the NEU’s anti-racist charter to ask all staff to complete the audit of where we currently are as a school. We have now formed sub-groups to better focus on the work we want to achieve.
“I also set up an anti-racist group with year 11 pupils which meets once a month (and will be opened up to all year groups when they’re allowed to mix bubbles). The students are able to voice their concerns about the things the school is getting wrong and their ideas for change.”
Emma Lodge (above), class teacher, NEU rep, Wirral
“I AM proud of the way all of the members at my school stuck together to bring about change. We were concerned for the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff, and that gave us the drive to do something about it.
“We had ongoing issues with management at Kingsway and this culminated in the school being opened without an adequate water supply during May and June last year. It took a group of staff using Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 to finally get it resolved.
“We had further issues, including our Covid risk assessment, which led to a collective grievance and industrial action ballot. Days before our first strike day we finally managed to resolve our issues with management.
“Our school is now under new management and is a safe and happy place for all our pupils and staff. We couldn’t have done this without the support of the union and each other.”
Rachael Paget (above), key stage 3 co-ordinator for English, Warrington
“AS someone who is considered clinically extremely vulnerable, I have spent much of the last year shielding and alone, yet the NEU Disabled Members’ Network has meant that I have never felt unsupported.
“In June and July the NEU organised some informal drop-in sessions for disabled and at-risk members. Those sessions were invaluable – listening to the experiences of others reminded me that I have a supportive network of individuals behind me.
“I was given the opportunity to speak at one of these informal Zoom sessions, something that was both nerve-racking and a privilege. It was lovely to be able to share the positive experience I was having with my school and I hope it gave encouragement to others, just as I gained inspiration from listening to other speakers. This year has reminded me that there is support, knowledge and friendship to be found in the union.”
Ruthba Amin (left and front cover), key practitioner, special educational needs co-ordinator, Ilford
“I WORK at a pre-school and find it very rewarding. I feel like I have a special bond with the children and take great satisfaction in supporting their learning and development.
“I have always been quite active within the local community, raising awareness on issues that I feel are important. I most recently became quite passionate about the way in which the early years sector has been treated by the Government during this pandemic and started a petition, created a Facebook page, and started having conversations with people about the issue.
“I only joined the NEU in January this year. I was on a Zoom call and connected with someone from the NEU: we started talking and I felt so grateful for her support. It felt like the NEU was a place where I could find like-minded people who would put our interests and wellbeing ahead of everything else. I’ve connected with so many other members and am already proud to be a member. We are stronger together.” continued on page 28
Merium Bhuiyan (left), GCSE English teacher, Islington
“THIS year has already been one hell of a year and it’s only just started. When I think about the events of the past 12 months, I am blown away by the efforts of the NEU to make schools safer. I am beyond proud to call these leaders, teachers and education professionals my colleagues.
“I’m involved in the NEU child poverty campaign and, like many others, have been watching the news with my head in my hands. The union has spoken out on the need to close the digital divide, and the necessity for providing free school meals for children who need them most.
“If it wasn’t for the pressure put on the Government by the union, schools would not have been closed after Christmas. By doing this, we are much more likely to protect the lives of those at risk.
“A huge shoutout also has to go to the NEU’s Jenny Cooper, Mari Burton and Michael Wilmott for going above and beyond to provide assistance throughout this whole situation.
“I’m also grateful to my local MP Jeremy Corbyn for his unending support for teachers.
“Oh, and a final thing: Marcus Rashford for PM…”
Lindsay McDonagh and Rachel Shepherd (below), teachers, NEU regional reps of the year 2020, Bexley
“WHEN we think about NEU members at our school it is impossible to pick just one thing that has made us proud. We are incredibly lucky to have such united members and are particularly proud of how many of our members are support staff. It is because we have so many staff from different aspects of the school represented in our membership that we have been able to effect such positive change.
“Our collective action resulted in two staff members who had been unfairly suspended returning to work with no case to answer. Another, who had been summarily dismissed, also returned. We also prevented our amazing cleaning staff from having their contracts privatised. We would never have achieved all this without our incredible members and we are so grateful to them. The support members offered us and each other over this time meant so much. We are so proud to be their reps but even prouder to be their friends.”
Geraint Williams (left), science teacher, assistant secretary Cardiff district, post-16 national council member, Merthyr Tydfil
“I AM immensely proud of the solidarity and support our members have shown each other in the past year. In my workplace, members have pulled together while they all get to grips with teaching online and home working. We have a WhatsApp group that we use to share advice and encourage and support each other, as well as maintain the enjoyment we all have working together as a community.
“In our institution we have members who are teachers, support staff and leaders, who have worked together to ensure our college is safe. We have used NEU guidance to put in place rotas, maintain social distancing for learners and provide laptops so those who are vulnerable or isolating can learn from home.
“So many members went above and beyond, spending hours in college making and delivering PPE for key workers across south Wales, raising money for NHS charities or working to support the most vulnerable in their local community. This solidarity and sense of community is being replicated across the country and it was amazing to see hundreds of thousands of people attending the NEU meeting at the beginning of January.
“When we couple this with the fact that the NEU has been consistently on the right side of the argument, I feel confident the union has an even more powerful voice than it had before.”
Susan O’Connor (right), year 4 class teacher, maths lead, NEU rep, Richmond
“SINCE the coronavirus crisis, my role as union rep has understandably escalated. Despite all the difficulties we have faced, I am most proud of the way the union has empowered teaching staff in my school to speak up when there have been concerns.
“I believe our proudest moment came about when we worked together as a unified staff to delay the reopening of schools following the first lockdown; to ensure staff felt satisfied that safety criteria had been met.
“As a knock-on effect, there is a noticeable shift in our approach to issues that arise, which has boosted morale during such uncertain and exceptional times and ensures our collective voice is heard.”
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