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The times, they are a changin...

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 organised in England.

Watch this piece from Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson for BBC Scotland -




The language she is using is the language we have heard from Michael Gove, from Nicky Morgan and from the Conservative Party in England for at least the last ten years.

Teachers are standing up across Scotland with the number of organisers at EIS building and 95 percent of members voting for action over workload and teachers standing up and speaking out about the incessant testing of Scottish children.

As Larry Flanagan, the EIS general secretary put it in his speech to AGM; 

'Statistics are anonymous - our pupils have names'



It will be a huge step for me to leave the National Union of Teachers.

I have been a member for 13 years. The NUT was the only union I joined when I was a trainee teacher.

I held numerous roles in the lay structure before working for the union.

I was a rep at school level, at division level, at different times I was young teachers officer, president, campaigns officer, equalities officer, SACRE representative and divisional secretary. On a regional level I was on regional council and chair of Young Teachers.



In my time in the NUT I have experienced highs and lows but always experienced the power and comradeship of people collectivising and standing up.

My time working for the union has been one of change and growth and I have seen the NUT build and members become aware of their power.

I have been involved with three divisions, a number of academy chains, Young Teacher work and numerous other projects.

I am proud of this union.

I consider many in this union friends and always comrades.

I'm around for a little longer and will see union members grow and stand up in that time I am sure.

In August I start in Scotland, to new challenges, to new colleagues and to new solidarity.

Solidarity forever

For the union makes us strong.


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