Tweeting Teach Blog

Today is the NUT teachers strike. There will be a rally in Worthing at the assembly halls at 11am. I will be marching in London with colleagues and comrades from Berkshire. Whatever you do, please show support for striking teachers. This was not a decision that was taken lightly but one which is needed to stand up for education. This action was brought forward and voted on by members. Enough is enough. The proposals in the education white paper describe nothing less than the wholesale destruction and privatisation of state education. Schools forced in to academisation, no matter the spin from Nicky Morgan. Teachers rights torn up. The removal of qualified teacher status meaning anyone can be in front of a class. Add to this a funding formula meaning that all but one of the local authorities in England will see funding cut leading to larger class sizes and less resources. The changes in school finances introduced by Osborne mean a five percent increase in costs for eve...

As I am waiting to leave from a brilliant two day training session with NUT organiser colleagues and a great discussion with Jane Mcalevey on trade unionism, organising, housing and how we build sustainable movements, it seems the right time to say; I'm moving on. After working for the NUT for three years and being a member for 13 years, I am going elsewhere. I'm off to the Educational Institute of Scotland to work as an organiser for them. I am leaving to a different education system, one without OFSTED, free schools and academies, but one with similarities. Teachers in Scotland are speaking out about workload and testing. A recent ballot over workload from the new qualifications returned a 95 percent vote for action. The GERM does not stop at Berwick. Further threats are on the way. In May, the Scottish elections led to a Tory opposition for the first time, and they are using language familiar to those of us who have taught, campaigned and ...

“I’m signing because I have actually been homeless in Worthing town centre…”  " All the homeless person really needs is somewhere they can feel safe at night…”  " In my opinion, fining homeless people for rough sleeping is not proactive to make them feel accepted or good about themselves.”   This was just a small selection of the many comments made among nearly 5,000 signatures on a petition launched by Worthing People’s Assembly against the introduction of public space protection orders (PSPOs) in Worthi ng, Sussex. These by-laws set out to fine people begging, drinking in the street and looking to find shelter for the night. Opposition came from ordinary citizens of Worthing, those who had been homeless and those responsible for running shelters. On April 5, the joint strategic committee overlooked these voices, dismissing the petition and pushing through the legislation to be ratified by full council yesterday. Councillors dismissed petitions, saying that they ...