High hopes for independent Estyn review Spotlight on Carmarthenshire Getting Behaviour Right course First NEU Wales Policy Conference set for October Training dates Pupil restraint and safeguarding TEACHERSINWALES

Issue 60 autumn term 2018 Education on the agenda at youth festival

NEW and old friends gathered at the is a great opportunity for us to engage annual Urdd National at the with parents and young people on what Royal Welsh Showground in education means to them. this year. The National Education Union (NEU) Our role shaping the future of education had a stall at the week-long event – the “This was especially important as this was largest youth festival in Europe. The Union our first year at the Eisteddfod as the newly was joined by Show Racism the Red Card, formed National Education Union. We the UK’s leading anti-racism educational were able to discuss the huge benefits charity, which gave away wristbands, that we will have on shaping the future of stickers and posters of football teams. education in Wales.” Find out more about the work of Young stars of the show Show Racism the Red Card in Wales at There were two main attractions on the theredcard.org/wales stall this year. A drawing competition held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday attracted more than 100 entries – the overall winner was Chloe Wright from Ysgol Bro Idris in . The other was Show Racism the Red Card’s Keepie Uppie competition, where winner Harvey Morris managed an impressive 86 keepie uppies – winning a football signed by the Wales Euro 2016 squad. NEU Cymru principal officer Stuart Williams said: “With tens of thousands of Chloe Wright from Ysgol Bro Idris in Dolgellau was attendees, the Urdd National Eisteddfod the overall winner of the drawing competition

Harvey Morris, winner of the Keepie Uppie Cai Jones and Glesni Jones get ready to greet visitors to the Urdd Eisteddfod competition, with his prize

Teachers in Wales: autumn term 2018 1 News Register online for your pension update FOR nearly two years, Teachers Pensions has not been sending out annual benefit statements to members of the scheme. Therefore, it’s very important that members register on the Teachers Pensions website so that they can access up-to-date benefit statements Dates for your diary and receive their annual statement TRAINING FOR REPS TRAINING FOR TEACHERS electronically. One- and three-day courses for all new The registration process is very Intermediate part 1 Welsh and existing school reps, giving them 22-23 September – Future Inn, simple. Just visit teacherspensions. the tools and confidence to make a real co.uk and click on Member difference to members’ lives. Intermediate part 2 Welsh Registration. To complete the 1-2 December – Future Inn, Cardiff process, you’ll need to have your Protecting you and your Teachers Pensions reference number members in the classroom Intermediate part 3 Welsh and your National Insurance number 21 September – The Bear Hotel, 26-27 January, 2019 – Future Inn, Cardiff at hand. Cowbridge Ensure you keep your monthly n Mindfulness taster sessions are salary slips, or at least your P60s, Foundation being organised for the autumn term in especially if you’ve transferred 3-5 October – The Bear Hotel, , and Cardiff. Cowbridge over to the Career Average scheme. n To help members develop their digital These can then be used as evidence Advanced competence, weekend workshops will of your annual salary if you notice 10-11 October – The Village Hotel, be organised during the autumn and any discrepancies in your benefits. spring terms. Discrepancies need to be resolved quickly as these figures are used to Employment law TRAINING FOR SUPPLY TEACHERS calculate your pension benefits. 27 November – NEU Office, Cardiff First aid at work For more information visit 30 October-1 November – Future Inn, teachers.org.uk and click on Pay, If you’re interested in becoming a Cardiff Pensions & Conditions. school rep and attending one of the above, email [email protected] n Several accredited online courses Recruiting student including food hygiene and health & Reps are legally entitled to attend safety at work will also be available to teachers at uni days these courses and the Union will supply teacher members. NEU CYMRU is visiting all Welsh support any rep that has difficulties universities this term, to recruit new getting time off work to attend. If you’re interested in any of the above, student teachers to the Union. email [email protected] It is also delivering lectures including “How to stay safe on social Check your email inbox for information on the latest training opportunities. media” to trainees. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/neucymrutraining, follow us on Twitter at A range of topics have been @neucymrutrain and visit teachers.org.uk/learning brought up and discussed by the students at the universities so far visited this term, with the devolution of pay and conditions to the Welsh Restraining a pupil: the legalities Government being the most popular. Student membership is free, A GOOD employer should provide staff the skills to do so appropriately. and newly qualified teachers can training on restraint and safeguarding. But The Education Workforce Council will get a year’s full membership for the Union is aware that there are a good be providing guidance to teachers and the just £1. number who do not. Union will continue to support members To find out more about both As a result, many find themselves in faced with these difficult situations. offers, visitneu.org.uk/join/ situations where they may be called upon Our advice is to push for and attend membership-rates to intervene and restrain a pupil but not training on restraint, make sure you are be acquainted with the legal framework familiar with your school’s policies and know for lawful restraint or be confident of having where to go for help.

2 Teachers in Wales: autumn term 2018 Warm welcome for Prof’s Estyn review

NEU Cymru has welcomed the publication wanted the new curriculum to succeed and of Professor Graham Donaldson’s “We welcome the it was of vital importance that practitioners independent review of Estyn, the school’s positive impact the were provided with every assistance to inspectorate in Wales. secure that aim. His recommendations, if accepted recommendations “Inspection can be a stressful time for and implemented, will represent a seismic education professionals,” said David Evans, shift in the school inspection arrangements could have on our Wales Secretary. “We welcome these in Wales, which will be welcomed by the education system” announcements and the potential positive profession as it wrestles with ambitious impact the recommendations could have educational reforms already underway. David Evans, Wales Secretary on our education system. We have long In particular, the Union notes concerns pushed for self-evaluation for the schools’ about the high stakes accountability sector in Wales, and Professor Donaldson's measures that have caused significant inspection as inspectors, schools and other recommendations could help make this pressures since being imposed on schools key stakeholders learn about, develop and a reality. in 2011. implement the new curriculum. “We look forward to working with Estyn A welcome recommendation is the The National Education Union (NEU) and the to take these proposal for a moratorium on formal strongly pressed for this. It has always recommendations forward.”

and street stalls and public meetings Spotlight on… highlighting the impact of cuts on Carmarthenshire children’s futures. “It’s been a significant challenge THE Carmarthenshire Division has seen taking on the role but one which has a big increase in membership since the given me a lot of satisfaction,” Jason creation of the NEU. Dickinson told Teachers in Wales. Joint division secretaries Jason “We have a great core team and Dickinson and Tina Bowen took over take pride in the support that we can in June 2014, inheriting a strong, offer members. It’s really pleasing to see active division led for many years by more people getting actively involved. June Jenkins. “We’re in a very healthy situation to Jason Dickinson, Emyr Brown and Kate James fight for our members over the coming Balance between serious and social run a street stall on school funding school year.” The division meets termly but has extra meetings if need arises. Events are there has been a marked increase in the Strength in numbers – so join in spread around Carmarthenshire to allow number of school reps attending the While the meetings are well attended, all members the chance of going. They Foundation Reps course. This has helped Jason is keen to get as many members are well attended and enjoyable, with to increase the strength of the division. involved as possible. the right balance struck between serious There have also been challenges “Although we’re strong, we can be and social. in the county, notably school stronger with more members engaged, New members become regular funding and the associated threat of trained and prepared to challenge attendees and active reps. And members redundancies. The division has been unnecessary workload and unfair from nearby divisions often attend to very active in fighting these cuts through treatment,” he said. share experiences and common issues. lobbying AMs and county council To get involved, email jason. Since the new Union was formed, meetings, writing to the local press, [email protected]

Sunshine and smiles at the Eisteddfod THE NEU stand at this summer’s National campaign on devolution of pay and Eisteddfod in Cardiff was a whirlwind of conditions to Wales. activity, welcoming many guests and She supported the Union’s call NEU members. to ensure that the First Minister make One of the guests visiting was Labour good on his promise “that there is no MP for Cardiff Central Jo Stevens (pictured question – no question at all – of teachers with Stuart Williams), who pledged in Wales being paid less than teachers her support for NEU Cymru’s ongoing in England”.

Teachers in Wales: autumn term 2018 3 Here to help Setting the agenda for Wales AS the largest teachers’ union, NEU THE key issues affecting education and Cymru (NUT section) is able to offer those who work in it will be debated at the members an unrivalled service. National Education Union’s (NEU) first Our professional team is here to Wales Policy Conference. provide expertise to our network of Taking place from 20-21 October, at school and college representatives Celtic Manor in Newport, the event will and local association and division allow members to set the agenda for the secretaries. Union’s work over the coming year. If you have a problem at work or Over 100 delegates will attend from want to know more about member every local authority in Wales. During services, contact: the Saturday session, delegates will be Kirsty Williams and David Evans n your school or college addressed by Cabinet Secretary for representative; Education Kirsty Williams AM, who will 3-19 schools, supply teaching and funding. n your association or division update members on her vision for the Wales Secretary David Evans said: “This secretary; sector as well as hearing their views on the is really exciting for the Union in Wales. challenges they face. “A conference to allow Welsh n NEU Cymru (NUT section) office. Key motions include the role members to set policy on devolved issues of regional education consortia, the will really help put the expertise and NEU CYMRU implementation of a new curriculum, experience of members at the heart of (NUT section) workload, pay and conditions, child poverty, our agenda.” Ty Sinnott, 18 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff CF24 5PJ Tel: 029 2049 1818 Fax: 029 2049 2491 Rave review for behaviour course Email: [email protected] TWO days training on the Union’s Getting Julia Brice, who Behaviour Right course in Cardiff and attended the Wales Secretary: David Evans Julia Brice went home filled with “belief, Union's Getting Wales Officers: Gareth Lloyd, Debbie positivity and excitement“ – keen to try out Behaviour Right Scott, Dilwyn Griffiths her newly learned techniques. course in Cardiff Principal Officer – Organising & “BACK to school with a bump today, or so Communications: Stuart Williams I thought. However, everyone was asking North Wales Organiser: Cai Jones how the course went and I couldn’t wait to Wales Solicitor: Angharad Booker share (so unlike me!). Executive members: Neil Foden, “Every time someone asked, I told Angela Jardine, Beth Davies them about three brilliant guys who full up with belief, positivity and excitement delivered one of the best courses I’ve coming home yesterday. ever attended. “Thank you. I just wanted to express my HEAD OFFICE “I smiled and smiled as I repeated appreciation and let you know that, even National Education Union: mantras and explained strategies, tips if I do nothing more with all the wonderful NUT section, Hamilton House, and tricks. stuff you have given me, today a very Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD “Late morning, as often happens, one unhappy little boy smiled from ear to ear of our less happy young pupils was sent and said: ‘I'm quite clever, aren’t I?’“ Tel: 020 7388 6191 with work to me. Julia Brice, Gwaunmeisgyn Primary School, 020 7387 8458 Fax: “The fire in him was raging. I grounded Beddau RCT Website: neu.org.uk my feet, breathed deeply, got down to eye President: Kiri Tunks level, set my boundaries and applied “liberal Joint amounts of water”. “I wanted to General “By session end, I had eight, well- express my Secretary: constructed and neatly written sentences Kevin – previously rivalled by pages and pages of appreciation. Courtney doodles and nothingness. “He felt amazing and that was really Just for today, it good for everyone. “I know it won’t always work like this, felt like I had a but, just for today, it felt like I had a magic magic wand“ wand, in the same way it felt magic to be so

4 Teachers in Wales: autumn term 2018