School cuts campaign How to oppose academisation Sexism in schools Social justice and poverty NQT survival guide Mental health crisis in our schools Srebrenica visit Crossword Desk yoga THE TEACHER March/April 2018

Might seem crazy what I’m ‘bout to say… Three Bridges and a new way to educate

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20768-2018 LV NUT Advice ad 230x297 RW.indd 1 05/02/2018 16:28 The Teacher March/April 2018 Welcome Three Bridges Primary School in Ealing – see pages 12 & 13 Photo: Kois Miah

School cuts campaign How to oppose academisation Sexism in schools Social justice and poverty SCHOOLS are facing an unprecedented crisis in recruitment NQT survival guide Mental health crisis in our schools Srebrenica visit Crossword Desk yoga THE TEACHER and retention. March/April 2018 A Public Accounts Committee report on teacher numbers delivers a devastating critique of Government failure. Excessive workload and inadequate pay are failing to attract teachers to the profession at a time when school rolls are set to rise by over half a million. And teachers are leaving in their droves, unable to stand

Might the pressure of rising class sizes, inadequate funding and seem crazy what I’m ‘bout to say… unsustainable workload. Three Bridges and a new way to educate The Government spent £14 million on advertising last year in an Your magazine from the National Education Union, NUT section 1 effort to bring in new teachers. Yet recruitment to teacher training President: Louise Regan courses is at a five-year low. The Department for Education has proved itself inadequate in holding back the tide of accountability pressures Joint General Secretary: Kevin Courtney which engulf teachers and drive up their workload. We need radical changes to the accountability regime and a rise in Editor: Helen Watson pay to make the profession attractive. Journalists: In this edition we visit Three Bridges, which claims to be “The Emily Jenkins, Max Watson Happiest School on Earth”. The school has turned current thinking on Administration: Maryam Hulme its head, putting the autonomy of teachers at the centre of education. Newsdesk Teachers decide whether to mark, when to give written feedback or t: 020 7380 4708 set homework. e: [email protected] Staff have seen a dramatic reduction in their workload – no teacher Design & subbing: Amanda Ellis is off sick with stress. And it is in the top three per cent most improved neu.org.uk schools in the UK, despite being in an area of high deprivation. Also in this edition, we report on the relaunch of our school facebook.com/ funding campaign. We made a real impact during the General nationaleducationunion Election. We fought off some cuts, effectively winning £1.3bn extra for our schools. But not all the money cut from schools was replaced. twitter.com/NEUnion We are asking you to put pressure To advertise contact: on candidates in the upcoming Jonathan Knight, Century local elections to back our call One Publishing, Alban Row, 27-31 Verulam Road, for investment in education. St Albans AL3 4DG Visit schoolcuts.org.uk to t: 01727 739 193 find out how to take part. e: jonathan@centuryone publishing.uk Kevin Courtney,

Except where the NEU has formally negotiated National Education Union, agreements with companies as part of its services to members, inclusion of an advertisement in the Teacher Joint General Secretary does not imply any form of recommendation. While every effort is made to ensure the reliability of advertisers, the NEU cannot accept any liability for the quality of goods or services offered. The Teacher is printed by Southern Print. Inside pages are printed on paper comprised of 100% recycled, post-consumer waste.

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 3 Free fundraising kit for your school

AllStar Games is the British Heart Foundation’s easy to You decide on the event that works for your school. organise fundraising event, that encourages your class • Activities for all ages and abilities or whole school to get active, have fun and raise money to save lives. • Can be part of an existing sports day or a one-off event • Keep 20% of funds raised to spend in your school We provide the kit, you provide the passion.

Your kit includes flexible fundraising options, resources, rewards and brilliant ideas for getting everyone involved. ORDER YOUR FREE FUNDRAISING KIT TODAY It has everything you need to smash it on the day and Go to bhf.org.uk/allstarsNEU to find out more raise money for life saving heart research.

© British Heart Foundation 2018, registered charity in England and Wales (225971) and in Scotland (SC039426) The rest is history 19 March, 1834 Contents Six farm labourers from Tolpuddle in Dorset were sentenced to seven years’ transportation to Australia for forming a trade union. The Tolpuddle Martyrs, and the movement they gave rise to, are celebrated every July at a festival bearing their name in the village. This year’s event is from 14-16 July. tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk

Features Regulars 06 News 23 Michael Rosen 33 A class act 34 Ask the Union 37 International 38 Web, app & book reviews 40 Letters 45 Noticeboard 47 Staffroom confidential & yoga 49 Crossword & recipe

“Children Photo: Jim Mortram who are hungry, cold and scared 09 How to campaign against academisation 14 Social justice and poverty cannot learn as They want to turn your school into an Schools are finding themselves on well as their academy. What arguments can you use the frontline of a poverty crisis. What against it (below)? can teachers and trade unionists do better-off peers.” to fight for social justice (above)?

page 14 20 Surviving your first year in school 12 Don’t worry, be happy Read our tips on how NQTs can Meet the head teacher of “The Happiest make the most of their introduction School on Earth”, who doesn’t want his staff to teaching. worrying about marking or planning, or buckling under workload pressures. 24 Under pressure There is a mental health emergency in our schools, with levels of stress, anxiety and depression reaching record levels for both teachers and pupils (far left).

50 Backbeat: Psychologists for Social Change How the Government’s Mental Health Green Paper just doesn’t go far enough.

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 5 News End of ‘no pay, no play’ A WEST Midlands school has been forced to scrap a scheme which segregated children based on whether their parents had made a financial contribution to new sports equipment. The ‘no pay, no play’ scheme at Wednesbury Oak Academy sparked outrage from parents who had been asked to ‘voluntarily’ contribute £6 per child by the school’s Parents’ Council. When the scheme was launched, only pupils whose parents had paid were allowed to use the sports equipment. Head teacher Maria Bull defended the scheme, saying that a WARWICKSHIRE NEU: NUT section members marched in solidarity with NHS workers, protesting ‘couple of times a week’ a child whose against privatisation of the public sector, excessive workload and underfunding. “No ifs, no buts, no parents had contributed could invite public sector cuts!” a friend that hadn’t paid to play with the toys. A petition was launched by parents and within 24 hours the school Six months on, Government had abandoned the scheme. The school chair of governors said: “We have listened to the concerns reneges on sprinkler promise raised and will be ending the scheme THE NEU and the Fire Brigades Union without sprinkler systems fitted. with immediate effect.” (FBU) have written to the Secretary of State Kensington Aldridge Academy, the for Education about schools being rebuilt school at the base of Grenfell Tower, does Greening out, Hinds in without fire sprinklers. not have sprinklers fitted. Barely six months after the Government None of the 35 Croydon school DAMIAN Hinds is the new Education caved in to pressure not to weaken fire building projects since 2012 were fitted Secretary after Justine Greening quit protection arrangements for schools, it with sprinklers, and 32 new schools are due the Government during the recent appears its own advice is routinely flouted. to be built in Northamptonshire without cabinet reshuffle. sprinkler systems. Mr Hinds wrote on Twitter that he No sprinklers if “low risk” was “looking forward to working with Building Bulletin 100: Design for Fire Limiting damage and saving lives the great teachers and lecturers in Safety in Schools says that new schools Andy Dark, Assistant General Secretary of our schools, colleges and universities should have sprinklers fitted, “except in the FBU, said: “Sprinklers play an important giving people the opportunities to a few low-risk schools”. It has emerged role in preventing the growth of fire. make the most of their lives”. that the definition of “low risk” includes “It is essential that the Government Greening reportedly refused to Selsey Academy in West Sussex, which makes it a legal requirement for sprinklers take up a new role in the Department burned down in 2016, yet is being rebuilt to be fitted in all new school buildings.” of Work and Pensions and was sacked from her education role. “We had a good relationship with Justine Greening, with whom we had Dear Prime Minister… from Maggie, 10 regular meetings,” Mary Bousted TEN-year-old Maggie wrote to the Prime Tests only show what and Kevin Courtney, Joint General Minister about the unfair pressure children people can remember Secretaries of the National Education her age are under due to testing. and the pressure can Union (NEU) said in a statement. She said she and her friends feel it’s lead to children to “We hope Damian Hinds will be “unfair to put so much pressure on children forget the answers, she similarly willing to meet and engage and teachers. said. Children could with us and the profession. Most “We are told that if we do badly in tests, instead be assessed by crucially we hope he champions the we will do badly in life,” she wrote. “looking through our need for extra funding for education “We all want to enjoy going to school books and talking to us and is able to get more money from but we don’t enjoy it because of the and our teachers”. the Treasury.” pressure put on us as children.” She herself Downing Street’s ‘Correspondence is “very worried” about her SATs. Officer’ has passed the letter on to the DfE.

6 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 Schools struggle to shield pupils from cuts

REAL-TERMS cuts to school funding have Reading, Isle of Wight, central Bedfordshire, led to a big reduction in the number of East Riding, York, Derby and Milton Keynes. secondary teachers, teaching assistants and support staff in England, according to new Further real-terms cuts ahead research by the School Cuts campaign. The introduction of the National Funding Schools have been doing all they can to Formula won’t solve this problem unless shield their pupils from the damage caused funding cuts are reversed and significant by the £2.8 billion cut from school budgets extra resources included. since 2015, but the lack of investment is Four of the five worst hit local now affecting frontline teaching. authorities – Middlesbrough, Reading, Isle of Wight and Doncaster – face further 31,000 more pupils, 15,000 less staff budget cuts over the next two years, even The latest research – drawn solely from after taking into account gains predicted by Government figures – shows that staff The cuts are happening at a time when the Department for Education. numbers in secondary schools have fallen pupil-to-classroom teacher ratios are The situation is likely to get worse, as by 15,000 between 2014/15 and 2016/17, rising, resulting in bigger classes and less it’s predicted that 17,942 (nine out of ten) despite them having 31,000 more pupils individual attention for children. primary and secondary schools in England to teach. The averages also mask significant and Wales will be hit by a real-terms cut in This equates to an average loss of regional variation. Despite the funding per pupil between 2015-19. 5.5 staff members in each school since Government’s claims to be concerned To find out how your school is affected, 2015: 2.4 fewer classroom teachers, about underfunded areas, some of the visit bit.ly/school_workforce_cuts 1.6 fewer teaching assistants and 1.5 fewer largest staffing cuts are in places with the To find out what you can do to help the support staff. lowest average funding per pupil, such as campaign, visit schoolcuts.org.uk

LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn joined former footballers and local youngsters at an educational event run by Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC). Held at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, the day featured workshops on exploring racism and stereotypes and what hate crime is, as well as a question and answer session with former players. Among those attending were Emily Thornberry MP (pictured above with Corbyn), former Arsenal and England Women’s team player Rachel Yankey, and ex-players Michael Thomas, Perry Groves and Jason Lee. The event was part of a series of SRtRC educational events with English football clubs to educate about hate crime, which also includes work in schools and teacher training. To take part or get more information, visit theredcard.org

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 7 Academies: what they are and how to argue against them

More and more parents and teachers are opposing academisation. If your school is being forced to become an academy, what arguments can you use against it? Here are some facts, figures, advice and ideas for your campaign.

Becoming an academy does NOT… Five more days of strikes are planned at The Village School 1. Improve standards n Research by the Local Government Association shows that ‘inadequate’ No justification for academising The Village schools are more likely to improve if they remain as community schools. MORE than 100 school staff took six involved in conversion to a MAT. Have n “We have been unable to locate any days’ strike action against the proposed the governors considered the effect this evidence… of a relationship between academisation of The Village School in might have on staff morale and whether primary academy status and raised Brent, north west London, in January it would lead to a higher turnover, attainment.” House of Commons and February. including those with many years of Education Committee: Academies and The school was judged ‘outstanding’ experience who contribute so much to free schools, 2015. by Ofsted in October 2016 and the school’s current success?” n “There is no evidence that schools campaigners say there is no educational Staff from the school visited judged as good, satisfactory or reason for it to be forced into a multi- Parliament to meet Barry Gardiner to inadequate… improved their pupils’ academy trust (MAT). express their concerns. The MP for Brent GCSE attainment as a result of the Teacher and National Education North suggested arranging a public academy conversion.” The Education Union (NEU) rep Jennifer Cooper said: meeting, which took place on 31 January Policy Institute: Impact of academies on “The school benefitted from £29 million in front of a packed hall of parents and education outcomes, 2017. capital investment from Brent Council staff. No one from the board of governors to transform the education of children or the head teacher were in attendance. 2. Stop budget cuts with complex learning difficulties and The anti-academisation campaign n The funding crisis is impacting on all disabilities. Is it right that this public has resulted in a real growth in union schools. Stand-alone academies have less money and the capital assets should be membership – in September, the school opportunity to make economies of scale outside of effective democratic control? had 32 NEU members and now there than a local authority. “I would question whether are 156. n Multi-academy trusts are facing changing status can deliver the value to n As the Teacher went to press, five more the same funding pressures as local compensate the extra work and extra risk strike days are planned. authority schools but there is less financial oversight. n The National Audit Office found that a All the advice you need in one place higher proportion of primary academies are running up overspends compared with The NEU has a collection of publications, advice and tips on academisation. It has maintained primary schools. an Academies Toolkit, to help steer reps through the transfer process; advice on requirements to consult on becoming an academy; funding facts; advice on the 3. Provide stability Education and Adoption Act 2016, which has brought about increased powers to n Wakefield City Academies Trust is in the academise; and advice on teachers’ pay and conditions, to name just a few. process of offloading all its 21 schools to Visit teachers.org.uk/campaigns/academies other sponsors. n The Education Fellowship Trust

8 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 Academies: what they are and how to argue against them

requested to transfer all of its 12 schools in March 2017. Newham: academisation is no longer inevitable n All six schools run by Perry Beeches Academy Trust in Birmingham have A MASS campaign against against becoming an academy: 132 been transferred to new sponsors after academisation is sweeping Newham. against and four in favour. a Government investigation found it Strikes and protests have taken Governors said they would go ahead had transferred £1.3 million to a private place at six schools in the east London regardless, prompting parents to instruct company owned by its accounting officer borough – Scott Wilkie, Keir Hardie, lawyers to submit a legal challenge. and head. Shaftsbury, Hallsville, Cumberland Carolyn McGrath, NEU rep at and Avenue. Cumberland, said: “All involved know it is 4. Provide financial stability Two days of strikes were held at collaboration and not privatisation that n There are 38 academy trusts with an Avenue Primary School on 31 January improves schools. open Financial Notice to Improve (FNI) as a and 1 February and Cumberland School “We are striking to be given an result of poor financial management. staff were on strike on 8 February. alternative to academisation. As a n An investigation by Schools Week Coordinated strike action is planned PFI school also affected by the Carillion revealed that 40 academy chains had for 22 February, bringing together collapse, it is clear we don’t need spent more than £1 million on executive Cumberland and Avenue staff, and more privatisation.” expenses, including luxury hotels and first- National Education Union (NEU) class travel. members at Shaftsbury and Keir Hardie, ‘The parents are magnificent’ n Department for Education (DfE) figures depending on ballot results. Carel Buxton, former headteacher and show that 121 academy trusts pay salaries of NEU activist, said: “Teachers and parents more than £150,000 to at least one senior Challenging Newham’s ‘fait accompli’ are working together and that seems to staff member with one in five of them paid Newham NEU Divisional Secretary be a winning combination. The parents at least £200,000 a year. Louise Cuffaro told the Teacher: “For are magnificent. Head teachers have too long, schools in Newham were underestimated what they’re capable of.” 5. Result in better teaching faced with ‘it’s a fait accompli, it’s got to There will be a lobby of Newham n According to the DfE’s Schools happen’. And we’re challenging that.” Council on 26 February, following a Workforce statistics 2016, if your school When Avenue parents were march from the local park, bringing all converts to an academy your child’s consulted, they overwhelmingly voted the school campaigns together. teacher is more likely to be unqualified – 4.9 per cent in local authority secondary schools versus 6.7 per cent in academies. n On average, teachers in secondary academies earned £1,000 less in 2016 than local authority counterparts. n Teachers are more likely to leave to go to another school – 7.8 per cent of teachers left local authority primary schools in 2015 compared to 9.7 per cent in primary academies. n Although transferring staff are protected by TUPE arrangements, when hiring new staff or, in the case of entirely new academies and free schools, trusts can determine their own pay and terms and conditions.

6. Lead to more accountability n “MATs are not sufficiently accountable to their local communities and [parents] feel disconnected from decision making at trustee board level.” House of Commons Education Committee, Multi-Academy Trusts 2017. n There is no mechanism for an academy Staff and parents on the picket line at Cumberland School, Newham to return to local authority control.

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 9 Academies news MATs ‘stripping assets’ in the academy system and do not believe leaders should be teacher workload their legitimate concerns are being and reducing stress as this is the THE chair of the Commons Education listened to”. main reason teachers are leaving the Select Committee says multi-academy profession, she said. trusts (MATs) lack transparency and do not deliver value for money Parents halt academy for schools. plan in Cambridge ‘No appetite for Robert Halfon wrote a letter on A CAMBRIDGE school threatened with academies in Lewisham’ behalf of the committee to Lord Agnew, academisation will remain within the PARENTS and staff are up in arms over academies minister, calling for greater local authority following a long-running proposals to academise Childeric Primary accountability. The letter reads: “We are community campaign. School in New Cross, South London. particularly concerned by the extent to Following months of parent protests, Head teacher Ann Butcher which failing trusts are stripping assets the board of St Philip’s Church of announced a formal consultation on from their schools.” England Aided Primary School decided joining multi-academy trust Communitas Mr Halfon cites the collapse to remain under local authority control. in January. of Wakefield City Academies Trust Local MP Daniel Zeichner said: A campaign launch meeting on (WCAT) as an example and says a “more “I am delighted to hear that parents and 30 January brought together teachers robust system of oversight” could have the community were listened to in the NEU, support staff in the GMB, prevented it. on this very important decision for and parents. the school. Duncan Morrison, Assistant New sponsors, but “I congratulate parents and the Divisional Secretary of Lewisham NEU, what about funds? National Education Union (NEU) on said: “Communitas is run by people making their voices heard.” whose only experience is in business, SPONSORS have been found for 11 of not teaching. There is no appetite for the 21 WCAT schools. WCAT announced Saturday school to academies in Lewisham and parents in September last year that it would of children at academies are unhappy relinquish control of its 21 schools in improve GCSEs about what goes on.” West Yorkshire as it could not rapidly ROYAL Docks Academy in east London Two years ago, a successful improve them. is to open on Saturday mornings and has campaign in Lewisham prevented It was accused of ‘asset stripping’ a longer school day in order to improve the Pendergast schools from after it emerged it had transferred millions GCSE results. Burnt Mill Academy Trust becoming academies. of pounds to its own accounts. introduced the measure in its first month Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General of running the school. DfE ignores request for Secretary of the National Education Mary Bousted, Joint General Union (NEU), condemned the Secretary of the NEU, said teachers salary transparency consultation process and said that would burn out if they worked on THE Department of Education (DfE) is parents and staff have “no confidence Saturdays. The “first concern” of school refusing to name 13 academy trusts that are paying their chief executives over £150,000 – even though their schools are in financial difficulties. In December 2017, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) wrote to 29 single-school academies which pay their leaders high salaries, asking 13 of them to explain their rationale considering their financial troubles. The TES submitted a Freedom of Information request seeking to name the schools but the DfE refused, stating: “Disclosing the information could imply to the relevant trusts that communication with the ESFA is not a safe space and place undue pressure on trusts and or the PARENTS from Highlands Primary School in Redbridge staged a protest against ESFA to act on a complex issue.” the proposed academisation of their school. Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General They are asking for an open debate with governors and a parent ballot on the Secretary of the NEU, said: “Academies issue. For more details, visit Hands off our Highlands Primary on Facebook. don’t need a safe space, they need proper accountability. This is taxpayers’ money.”

10 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 Practical advice on tackling sexism in schools

SEXISM is an issue for every school in every community. That was the finding of the National Education Union’s (NEU) report on sexism in our schools, produced in partnership with UK Feminista. Teachers and trade unions need to commit to making change happen. The report calls for schools to adopt a whole school approach to tackling sexism and take a zero tolerance approach to sexual harassment. Within your school you could: n order copies of the report and stickers (see page 47) to use in a staff meeting or Union meeting (email [email protected] with a postal address and the number of copies needed) and start talking about tackling sexism in your workplace with colleagues; n give a copy of the report and some stickers to your head teacher and request a meeting between them and Union reps to discuss ways of tackling sexism through assemblies, the curriculum and in a wider school context; n download the Twitter board from the web page below and tweet your support for our campaign #SexismInSchools. Ask colleagues and students to do the same – you may also want to Tweet collective school or workplace support. The launch of the Union’s Sexism in Schools report in Parliament on 12 December last year Resources are available at teachers.org.uk/ Photo by Jess Hurd equality/equality-matters

Apply for your place at LGBT+ conference in Leeds

LEEDS will host this year’s LGBT+ Teachers’ Hotel. Also, for the first time, there will be a giving your membership number. You must Conference from 20-22 April. LGBT+ Education Activists Awards Dinner. then attend your next association or division The event will bring together 260 The event will be the largest LGBT+ meeting and be prepared to write up a LGBT+ education professionals to enjoy teachers conference in the country and report about conference when you return. a weekend of workshops, caucuses and places are free. To apply, fill in an online Your association/division has the right keynote speakers at the city’s Queens application form (tinyurl.com/y6vsla8f), to turn down your application.

Mighty smart group of women DESIGNER Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya has created a series of posters celebrating women in science that are perfect for displaying in a classroom or child’s bedroom. There are six posters, which are free to download. Visit amightygirl.com/ blog?p=14570

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 11 Insurmountable workload? Ridiculously long hours? Stressed and bogged down with marking and assessments? Not teachers at Three Bridges Primary School. The Teacher went to Ealing to discover its secret.

If you’re happy and you know it…

Words by Max Watson

What works well for teachers – and head teacher Jeremy Hannay, left – also works well for Three Bridges’ pupils Photos by Kois Miah

THREE Bridges Primary School describes itself Meaningful planning, not for scrutiny as “The Happiest School on Earth”. “I don’t want Teachers are autonomous when it comes to Headteacher Jeremy Hannay describes the teachers worrying marking as well. “I’ve been to schools that have school’s teaching staff as “our most precious so much marking that teachers just don’t have resource”. And the approach it has developed is about Ofsted, any time for anything else. How can they be all about trusting their professional judgement. thinking creatively?” asks Victoria. “All I want them to be worried about is the or marking, or “In terms of reducing workload, it art and craft of teaching,” he says. “I don’t want planning scrutiny frees you up so much to think about lessons.” them worrying about Ofsted, data or nonsense; With planning, it’s down to the teacher. or marking or planning scrutiny – just learning. – just learning. The “It’s not that we don’t do planning,” says “I don’t want them to have any of those Victoria. “It’s just that we’re not going to be stresses. The job itself, being in front of 30 job itself is hard scrutinised and checked. We’re going to be children every single day, is hard enough.” enough.” planning for us, so it’s going to be meaningful So, the school has drastically cut out for us. Whatever works best.” “meaningless work – the paper pushing, the And when it comes to staff meetings, doing work for somebody else and knowing it “We’ve gone from setting homework every week they’re only held when really necessary. “We do has no value”. to setting homework when we feel they need it,” our best to have a common-sense approach as And not only has it improved workload she says. “The pupils really need space to rest much as possible,” says Jeremy. and stress, it’s improved results too. after school, they work so hard.” Jeremy also emphasises the importance of Staff turnover and sickness very low Teacher knows best work/life balance. “We work ten-hour, 11-hour Unsurprisingly, these changes have boosted The school’s teaching policies are determined days sometimes,” he says. staff morale. Turnover is very low. Last year, by teachers. “Our message is never ‘we don’t do “When I go home, I want a break – to the school had two maternity covers and two this or we don’t do that’. It’s that the professional spend time with my family. Are we saying teachers left for promotion, but none quit gets to choose, to decide,” says Jeremy. that the things at school are so important they the profession. There is no traditional homework policy, should take precedence over family time?” There is no sickness absence due to stress for example – instead, it is ‘teacher determined’. Similarly, teachers decide when written either. A few years ago, supply cover was Victoria Ladkin, the National Education feedback is most appropriate. “If they think it’s “substantial”, according to Jeremy. “We’ve cut Union (NEU) rep at Three Bridges, explains. going to be effective, then alright,” says Jeremy. that by 75 per cent, so that’s a massive change.”

12 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 Big smiles all round at Three Bridges

Although Victoria hasn’t surveyed her She recalls discussing marking with members, she says they work fewer hours than “Everything we another teacher at an NEU training day: colleagues in other schools. do, we do for “I said our marking policy is down to teachers “A few years ago, people were wheeling to decide. They said, ‘our head started to around bags with books and things like our children and introduce something like that but then Ofsted that, but that just doesn’t happen anymore,” were expected and so it all changed’.” she says. our staff.” Jeremy is Canadian and worked in Ontario Joseph Wyglendacz, NEU National for eight years, where schools are run “very Executive member, who arranged our visit, differently”. When he saw how “terrible” things chats with staff in the corridor during their and, in 2017, it was in the top three per cent were here, he knew there was a different way. lunch break – they’re relaxed and joke about of all English primary schools for pupil being a happy family. They’re cheerful about progress from KS1 to KS2. The Real Schools Spread the word – courage in numbers being photographed and the kids clearly love Guide 2017 named it ‘Top Primary School Now Jeremy and Victoria are on a mission to their learning environment. in Ealing’. inspire others to change their approach. “I hope other schools will read this and Results speak for themselves Just don’t mention the ‘O’ word… think about their marking and planning What’s more, the results speak for themselves, Jeremy avoids talking about Ofsted with staff. policies, making teachers more autonomous,” dispelling what Jeremy calls “a false dichotomy “I don’t know the last time I even said that word says Victoria. of: ‘You can be a really happy school and in a staff meeting,” he says. “There is nothing we “It’s such a small change but it makes the everybody is going to be working less and do for Ofsted or because it’s in some handbook. whole teaching experience so different.” it’s going to be great, but results are going to Everything we do, we do for our children and Jeremy agrees: “The more we spread the suffer. You can’t possibly attain well unless our staff.” good word, the more heads will feel courageous. you’re constantly on top of teachers.’ Well, that’s Why aren’t more schools like Three There is courage in numbers. absolute nonsense.” Bridges? Historically, Ofsted has a lot to answer “I want to be in a position where we can Three Bridges “runs a tight ship” he for, says Jeremy, and Victoria agrees: “There is support other schools. If this works here, it can says. Its Ofsted report in 2014 was good obviously a lot of fear around Ofsted.” work anywhere.”

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 13 Photo: Jim Mortram

14 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 More than half of all children in some UK cities are living in poverty, according to research by the End Child Poverty Coalition. Nearly 400,000 more are living in poverty than five years ago, which the coalition attributes to Government’s welfare reforms. We discuss the fight for social justice and the effects of poverty on the children we teach. On the frontline of the poverty crisis

THE child poverty map of the UK, published Deepest cuts at poorest schools books or materials. Two in five children in last month by the End Child Poverty Schools can and do make a difference to these families said they had missed a term-time Coalition (ECPC), is a shocking indictment children’s life chances but if children come to school trip because of the cost. of Government policies. school hungry, cold, scared and without school The Government must accept that it is The UK is the world’s sixth-largest global equipment they cannot learn as well as their responsible for policies that are worsening economy, yet 53 per cent of children live in better-off peers. Schools cannot compensate on levels of pay and support for those who poverty in some of the most disadvantaged their own for the impacts of poverty. need it, and that this impacts on children’s areas of London, Birmingham and Manchester, Yet our Union’s joint research with the achievements at school. It is Government’s according to research by the ECPC, of which Child Poverty Action Group, using DfE data, responsibility to put this right. the Union is a member. shows that schools with the highest proportion Then schools can get on with doing what That means one in every two children of children on free school meals are facing they do best – educating children to achieve not having enough to eat, not being properly much higher cuts in funding per pupil than their unlimited potential, wherever they live, clothed, their families falling behind with rent schools as a whole. and from whichever family they are born into. and at risk of homelessness. Families not being The Children’s Commission on Poverty Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary able to feed the meter for heating and hot found that a third of children who said their water and not having money for books, school family was “not well off at all” had fallen behind For data on child poverty in your area, go to end equipment, toys, baby necessities, let alone in class because their family could not afford childpoverty.org.uk/poverty-in-your-area-2018 treats or days out. Across the UK, more than four million children live in poverty. Despite the Government’s mantra, work does not guarantee Low pay, inequality and 4m children in poverty a route out of it. According to the Children’s Laura Pidcock where we have a disproportionate Society, more than two-thirds of children in is Labour MP number of workers on these contracts. poverty have at least one parent in work. for North West Many teachers will have seen this Levels of poverty are also projected to Durham. She is poverty in their schools. The shocking rise in the next five years, with the Institute a former mental facts are that four million children are for Fiscal Studies predicting that there will be health support currently living in poverty in the UK, 5.2 million in poverty by 2022. worker and 1.7 million of those in severe poverty. The gap between the wealthiest and worked for charity And this acute poverty is not just poorest parts of the UK are stark. In Theresa Show Racism the about worklessness. Sixty per cent of May’s constituency, the child poverty rate Red Card. people in poverty in the UK live in a is 13.6 per cent. Yet in the poorest – such as household where someone is in work. Bethnal Green and Bow, London, where it is 54 THE Government talks about lower Many people working in schools will be per cent, or Birmingham, Ladywood, at 53 per unemployment rates and a strong feeling the pinch too. cent – 16 children in every class of 30 are poor. economy, but the reality for most people Until we tackle the scourge of is very different. low pay – not with gimmicks or the Austerity is not inevitable Crucially, real pay – when earnings rebranding of the minimum wage, but But none of this is inevitable. The growth are adjusted to take into account starting with a £10 an hour living wage in child poverty is a direct result of policies inflation – is falling. That’s what people and more rights to enable workers to implemented in the name of austerity. Austerity feel, in their pockets, and what they organise and fight for better wages and is a political choice – the Government is witness in unpaid bills and rent arrears. terms and conditions – we will not see an pressing ahead with the implementation of Real pay is now lower than it was end to child poverty in this country. Universal Credit, despite warnings that it will in 2010. Too many jobs that have been Teachers and all school staff are drive more families into poverty. created since are insecure, casualised crucial to this fight, both in terms of their Local authorities might once have been and entrench poverty through low pay. union activism and campaigning in the able to provide a buffer but with councils This long-term low pay is creating community. Working together, we can experiencing budget cuts, they are slashing acute poverty and inequality in our beat poverty pay and pave the way for a services for those most in need. This includes communities, especially in certain parts better, more equal future for all. services and subsidies to schools, which are of the country like my own constituency, Continued on page 16 now on the frontline of the poverty crisis.

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 15 Moving and beautiful portraits of social injustice THIS photo of a family in emergency housing was taken by Norfolk photographer Jim Mortram. His new book, Small Town Inertia, documents the lives of those struggling to survive at a time of welfare cuts and failing health services in his hometown of Dereham. Taken over a period of seven years, Jim has been photographing the lives of people in his community who, through physical and mental health issues and a failing social security system, face isolation and loneliness in their daily lives. His work covers difficult subjects such as disability, addiction and self-harm, but always with hope and dignity; focusing upon the strength and resilience of the people he photographs. A full-time carer for his mother, Jim is, like his subjects, unable to escape from the geographical confines of his hometown and his understanding and empathy for his neighbours is apparent in every photograph. With introductory essays by Paul Mason and Lewis Bush, it’s a moving and beautiful portrait of social injustice in times of austerity. Helen Watson Small Town Inertia by Jim Mortram. Bluecoat Press. Hardback. £25

‘We are still educating different social classes for different functions in society. It is time to stop rearing an elite’

Diane Reay is privatisation all worked to make working-class There are predominantly middle-class Professor of educational experiences worse, not better. schools and predominantly working-class Education at Yet, I was constantly told by politicians and ethnically mixed schools – and despite all Cambridge and policy makers that I was responsible the rhetoric around pupil premiums, pupils University. She is for my working-class children’s in the more working-class schools get executive editor of lack of high attainment or it less money per head. They get the British Journal was the fault of their families If you’re a less qualified teachers, higher of Sociology – they lacked aspiration levels of teacher turnover of Education and didn’t support their working-class and more supply teachers. and author of children enough. child, you’re Even if they are in the Miseducation: same schools as middle- Inequality, Education and the Working Classes. Ticking time bomb of starting the race class children, they are soaring poverty halfway round the in lower sets with less ALTHOUGH I am now a Cambridge professor, But the chief culprit is track behind the experienced teachers. I did what many educationally successful neither teachers and working-class girls did in the 1970s – I became schools nor working-class middle-class Academic hierarchy a teacher. families and working-class child instilled from early age And I remained an inner London teacher culture – it is poverty. We are still educating different for 20 years, trying – against a growing Research from the Institute social classes for different functions avalanche of ill thought-out policies – to make of Fiscal Studies shows that the number in society. All the working-class children I education for working-class children better of children living in poverty will soar to five interviewed for my book had a powerful sense than it had been for me. million over the next five years. This is the time of their position in the academic hierarchy. I failed because the growing processes bomb facing schools. Right from reception, increasing numbers of regulation, hyper competition, testing and But even without growing poverty, of children are in sets and can tell they’re not assessment, the preoccupation with parental working-class children are already in a very good group, which means they’re choice, increasing setting and streaming, and experiencing educational inequality. ‘not very clever’. Increased testing and setting

16 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 A destabilising cherry on top of a crumbling cake

A letter to Mike Sheridan, Your report impacts on two serious London Ofsted regional director problems – behaviour and recruitment. Children are increasingly edgy and Dear Mr Sheridan, unsettled. The pattern of calm progress You don’t know me, but our paths we established is coming apart. There crossed in my school hall when you were are many reasons – rising levels of child carrying out an inspection. poverty; a widespread fear of the future I know that Ofsted will – and the loss of so many established not discuss its findings, teachers is a profoundly destabilising If our restricting comment to cherry on the top of this crumbling cake. matters of fact within teachers are a framework that Ofsted’s impact on recruitment so ‘inadequate’, excludes some of As an “inadequate” school, we can’t get the most relevant NQTs and why would an experienced why have they issues. teacher look for a post at a school likely since been The result of to be going through such a hard time? headhunted your inspection And if a school is having a hard time, was that our if the children are nervous, unsettled by other school was declared and challenging, many supplies won’t go schools? “inadequate”. But your there or take on the job long term. report displays a number So is the solution a change of of questionable presumptions. government policy to tackle child poverty and school funding? No, at Context counts for little present we have the almost surreal The contextual information – appended proposal that going from a community seemingly as an afterthought – reveals school to an academy is the way forward. that our school serves one of the most Schools have recovered from deprived communities in the country; special measures 12 times more with a level of free school meals frequently as community schools than entitlement more than four times the as academies – your national average. previous boss, ‘We are still educating different social classes for different functions in society. It is time to stop rearing an elite’ Nevertheless, the report says we are Michael So is the failing because year 1 children are not Wilshaw, have resulted in even very young children displaying operating at national averages and have was solution more high levels of anxiety. below national average scores on the scathing school funding Yet, research shows that it is the wealth and phonic screening test; even though they about the inclination of parents, rather than the ability and match this standard by the end of year 2. record of and less child efforts of the child, that have the most bearing on a Your expectation is that early academy poverty? No! child’s educational success today. years provision, on its own, should be chains in Become an If you’re a working-class child, you’re starting enough to get the most disadvantaged this respect. the race halfway round the track behind the middle- children in the country up to national Using an academy… class child. Middle- and upper-class parents are able expectations. Is this reasonable? Ofsted report to guarantee their children’s success through private Our teaching was rated “inadequate”. to force a school to tuition, extra resources and enrichment activities. But the report notes that we managed become an academy is not about school to achieve some of the highest scores in improvement at all. Respect and value all, regardless of class our area at key stage 1 last year. Yours faithfully, a London teacher It is time to end selecting and rejecting in order to rear Our “inadequate” teachers have, an elite, and develop a National Educational Service since the report, been headhunted by PS… in which all children are respected and valued. other schools. Nine are leaving; two as Since your report, our “inadequate” This would require a shift away from excessive key stage co-ordinators and one with school, with one of the most challenging testing, setting and streaming to focus on a broad an enhanced salary package. If these intakes in the country, has managed to and balanced curriculum in which the vocational has teachers are so “inadequate”, why are achieve above national average results parity with the academic, and creativity and critical they so sought after? in key stage 2 SATs for everything except thinking skills lie at the heart of learning. I know schools that maintain their reading – despite two members of staff We need to restore the status, work conditions “outstanding” grade by making sure that going off with stress and several others and autonomy of teachers, but equally important are any child that imperils it is eased out struggling on through depression. broader systemic changes that narrow the inequality or not included. We have always taken On a return visit, your team said we gap in wider society. A more redistributive tax system children that others reject and, in most were making good progress but that needs to go hand-in-hand with educational changes. cases, turned them around. morale was low. Is it any wonder why?

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 17 Your FREE award-winning resource to book university events for your school:

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18 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 ‘I love the creativity’ Union people

Alex Ramiz is lead rep at The Kenmal Academy Trust. He has been leading a dispute with the chain over facility time, which has strengthened the Union and recruited many new members.

What do you love about teaching? massive recruitment and retention crisis I love the creativity. As an English teacher, in education. my best lessons have always been to do People should want to be teachers with writing. As that was my favourite thing and should want to stay in teaching, as it to do when I was a student, I try to think can be the best job in the world. about what I would enjoy if I went to one of I think it was a terrible mistake to my own classes. reduce university involvement in teacher training and I think if we want to recruit What do you love about being in and retain teachers, we need to improve the Union? working conditions and not mess people As one of many people who has seen around with their pay. how terribly cuts and meddling from the Government has damaged education, What do you do on your day off? I always enjoy meeting up with other I am studying for a doctorate in education, teachers who have such a progressive view so I spend quite a bit of time interviewing of learning. teachers to collect their stories. I am been working with my fellow reps to fight researching the early careers of teachers. What have you been up to lately? for a facilities agreement. My association has been getting ready for Tell us something that we don’t know. conference, which is very exciting. As an What’s important to you right now? I got married (fairly) recently to my area rep within an academy chain, I have Personally, my own bugbear is the wonderfully perfect, brilliant wife, Heather.

‘More black parents need to become governors’

FIGURES from the Education I had no idea that being black might make Workforce Council show none of Wales’ things impossible.” 1,458 head teachers identify as black; After working as a medical rep Daniel, five are Asian, British Asian or mixed 47, trained as a teacher in 2009. race; and just 59 of Wales’ 36,182 “The lack of black head teachers boils teachers are black. down to unconscious cultural bias,” he said. High school physics teacher and “When I left Cardiff University in 1992 National Education Union activist Daniel with a degree in biochemistry and chemistry, Wilson (pictured left) believes he is the the first 14 jobs I applied to I did the ethnic only black teacher in Blaenau Gwent. monitoring and did not get shortlisted. “For the next lot, I just applied as Daniel “For most of the kids in the valley, the first Wilson, born in Cardiff, and was shortlisted. black person they come across is me,” None of these were teaching jobs. Daniel told WalesOnline. “The challenge to me in schools is the “I have never experienced racism interview panel. Until we have more black working in school here. But there are so few governors, the tendency will be to employ of us visible that, whether you like it or not, people like them. we are ambassadors for black people.” “There needs to be more black parents Daniel was born in Cardiff but his family becoming governors. If you want to make a left for Ghana when he was one. Returning difference become a governor.” when he was 12, he went on to study n A longer version of this interview biochemistry at Cardiff University. originally appeared at walesonline.co.uk “In Ghana, my role models were black, /news/education/what-its-like-one- male teachers. When I came back in 1983, few-13993378

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 19 Entering the teaching profession is exciting, but it can also feel daunting. Here is a handy guide to help you navigate the early stages of your career.

Buckle up and enjoy the adventure

Planning ahead n All teachers are entitled to have at least ten per cent of their teaching timetable for planning, preparation and assessment (PPA). n This time should be during core school hours, not bolted on either side of a school day, and must be allocated in minimum blocks of 30 minutes. n NQTs are entitled to spend ten per cent less time teaching than other main scale teachers, so that they have time to undertake activities in their induction programme. Inspections Child protection n Teachers on School Direct n n The NEU has advice materials to support (salaried) have the same rights and Teachers are not responsible for you through the Ofsted/Estyn (its Welsh responsibilities as other teachers, but investigating suspected physical or emotional equivalent) process, available at teachers.org. shouldn’t be abuse, but should know where to report uk/education-policies/ofsted-estyn expected to any concerns. n Seek out your fellow NEU members and fulfil as many n Acquaint yourself with the procedures in find a collective approach to inspections, which of the teaching your school. Know who is the designated minimises additional work and ensures that duties. teacher responsible for child protection and teachers are in control. insist on training on child protection issues.

Cyber security Pay day n It’s important to be vigilant when n Most newly qualified teachers using electronic communication will be at the bottom end of the main and social media. Your professional pay range. position can be compromised if n The STPCD permits inappropriate information is accessed governing bodies to or shared online. place teachers with n We recommend teachers limit relevant experience public access to accounts and not post outside teaching at a information that you wouldn’t want higher point. If you’ve been your employers to see. told the school will do this, ensure your pay reflects the position. n Never use personal email addresses, mobile phones or other n If you’re working in an academy, personal social media Marking check the pay arrangements because accounts to contact these can vary significantly between n Teachers should be allowed to exercise their pupils or parents. academies and academy trusts. professional autonomy when it comes to the frequency and style of marking.

20 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 Time out n The NEU thinks all schools should have a work/life balance policy. n The DfE has also stated that schools should consider incorporating work/ life balance into the school development plan – check if your school has Behaviour one. Lesson plans n Establish your own expectations and n Keep these to a minimum length and set class rules and outline this with pupils at out in bullet points, including how learning the beginning of the year. They are more objectives can be achieved. likely to respond positively to rules which n The format is up to you – Ofsted and Estyn they have agreed. do not require a particular format. n We’re here for you Even experienced teachers find behaviour n You should not be expected to hand in plans challenging. Make sure you read the school’s If you have difficulties in your for scrutiny. Speak to your NEU rep if you are behaviour policy and discuss practice with asked to do this. your mentor. school, discuss them with your mentor, department head, colleagues or your NEU rep. Your head teacher may also be able to offer guidance Professional development (CPD) and support. Teachers’ pension scheme n The NEU’s CPD programme is delivered by a team of qualified For advice and guidance n All new teachers trainers and offers a contact the NEU AdviceLine will automatically range of courses aimed on 0345 811 8111 or email join the ‘career at new teachers. [email protected] average’ pension scheme. n Visit teachers. Visit teachers.org.uk/help- org.uk/learning and-advice n Visit teachers.org.uk/pay-pensions -conditions/pensions

Extra activities n Activities such as breakfast or after school clubs must be voluntary. n If you do take on additional activities, in some circumstances you can be paid for the time if employed under the Government’s School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD). n The level of payment should be set out in your school’s pay policy. n Classroom observations Payments to classroom teachers Dealing with stress should only be made for activities n The NEU believes classroom observations n undertaken outside the 1,265 hours Inspections are the most common cause of should be developmental and supportive. of directed time or stress. The NEU believes all schools should n A teacher should be subject to no more the appropriate have a policy on how to reduce and prevent than three classroom observations per year, proportion for stress. If you’re stressed, it’s likely your exceeding no more than three hours in total. part-time colleagues will be too. n NQTs are not subject to appraisal, but teachers. n Speak to your NEU rep so they can provide observations may be used for other purposes. support on how to combat it.

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 21 360˚ schools

NUT Ad outlines.indd 1 2/2/2018 3:00:06 PM

There is a growing mental health crisis in our schools, with an epidemic of stress- related illness among teachers. And it’s affecting children, too – according to the DfE’s own figures, an estimated three pupils in every classroom have a diagnosable mental health disorder such as anxiety or depression. We talk to teachers about their experiences of mental health problems and look at what can be done to tackle the issue.

Under pressure

Words by Emily Jenkins

CORINNE Lamoureaux is a primary teacher away. Yet the workload isn’t dropping – if Active union member from Cornwall. She came into teaching after anything, it’s mounting. Corinne received medical help but it was three retraining in her forties. Within three years “I was really struggling to juggle months before she was able to return to work. she was signed off with work-related stress. everything.” “If I wasn’t actively involved in the Union “I went from earning a lot more money Corinne found herself working late every and had support from my Union colleagues, and having a lot more free time, to being a evening and at weekends, but still found it hard both morally and emotionally, then I don’t poor teacher who works 50-60 hours a week,” to keep on top of the workload. Her health know if I could have stayed in teaching. They she jokes. began to suffer. gave me the courage to continue,” she says. “Because you care so much, you’re driving “I got more and more behind with data yourself to perfection all the time. You always and assessment and the whole thing started to Mental health feel like you’re failing. mount up,” she said. Unsurprisingly, tackling mental health issues is “We have school funding cuts across “I went to my doctor and burst out crying, a topic Corinne has become passionate about. the board, so resources keep getting taken and he signed me off.” She uses her experience to raise awareness of

24 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 “Teaching has never been an easy job, however in recent years, the pressure of workload has become too much.” Daniel Neale

LIKE many other teachers, I sometimes feel I’m being crushed by workload. I’ve been a teacher since 2003 and it’s never been an easy job, there have always been many demands for my time. However, in recent years the pressure of workload for many has become too much. Workload affects mental health to varying degrees. NEU Derbyshire recently carried out a poll of members using Survey Monkey. The results were: n 17 per cent said they were stressed all the time; n 36 per cent were stressed most of the time; n 32 per cent about half the time. The survey also asked members what they believed were the main causes of their stress: n 86 per cent attributed it to workload; n 54 per cent to long working hours; n 77 per cent to insufficient time to do their job; n 60 per cent to unrealistic targets. The two previous Secretaries of State for Education seemed to want to tackle excessive workload and retention of teachers. As recently as October 2017, Justine Greening said she wanted staff in schools to have flexible working and close the gender pay gap. However, little appears to have happened. Education is facing a crisis on many fronts – including workload, retention and pay – and all these add stress to an already stressful profession. Something must be done. Daniel Neale, Derbyshire NEU: NUT section

the problem and campaigns on the issue on it’s a real issue. In four years, 139 teachers “Because behalf of the Union. committed suicide and the stress of the job was you care She is now her school rep, health and seen as a factor,” she says. so much, safety rep, and represents the south west on the Union’s health and safety forum. Worth the stress you’re “My experience has taught me that Despite Corinne’s struggles with stress, she still driving teachers need protecting,” she says. “If we’re loves her job. yourself to not, how can we teach?” “Although it’s really hard, those moments Corinne has also begun giving talks to when you get a child who didn’t think they perfection teachers in Cornwall and Plymouth about how could do something and, then suddenly, their all the time. You always they can use health and safety legislation to face lights up because they realise they can. feel like you’re failing.” help tackle workload. Those moments make it all worthwhile.” Corinne Lamoureaux “There are tragic statistics that prove Continued on page 26

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 25 “Anxiety knows no boundaries, if you are struggling with it, seek help to understand it.” Mike Evans

MIKE Evans is a supply teacher in East Riding, Yorkshire. After 20 years working full-time as an English teacher, he left his job due to mental health issues that he believes were triggered by academisation and over-zealous accountability systems. “I’ve struggled with anxiety all my life. However, when my last school was One in 83 teachers support measures for their members. We want taken over by a multi-academy trust, employers to take responsibility for employee things got a lot worse,” Mike says. signed off on sick leave mental health. And our Union can also take a FIGURES obtained by the Liberal Democrats leading role. Prodded and poked show alarmingly high numbers of teachers on We want to promote wellbeing, work-life “It seemed that teaching was no longer long-term sick leave. balance and ethical leadership by recruiting about turning the children into well- A mass Freedom of Information request to and empowering mental health reps, training as rounded human beings,” he says. all local authorities revealed 3,750 teachers were Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA). Mike started to suffer from severe signed off on long-term sick leave last year due This is not a ‘tick box exercise’ – it’s about anxiety and mental health issues and to pressures of work, anxiety and mental illness developing a Union rep with confidence to eventually got signed off work. – a five per cent rise on the year before. support members through crisis and the “The accountability system made This equates to one in 83 teachers signed strength to knock on management’s door and me feel like I was constantly being off sick for one month or more due to stress not be ignored. prodded and poked.” and mental health reasons. These figures are Our ambition is to have a mental health likely to be underestimates, as a large number of champion in every Norfolk school and, Seeking help authorities did not respond to the request or do ultimately, in every one in the UK. Mike sought help through counselling not hold the data. Scott Lyons, Joint Division Secretary, sessions. He began to write a blog Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary Norfolk NEU: NUT section (readafterburnout.com) to help of the NEU, said the figures show an ‘epidemic him chart his mental health and the of stress’ in our schools. MHFA rep in every school changing world of teaching. “Classroom teachers routinely work 55 IN the north west, we recognised an urgent “It has helped me to remember hours or over a week – school leaders over 60. need for something that would highlight what what made me want to be a teacher in And it is not just the amount of work. It is the mental illness looks like in schools and arm the first place, as well as to understand pressures of a punitive and non-productive members with the skills to negotiate changes myself and my anxieties more.” accountability system.” that focus on prevention rather than cure. New challenges Teachers need our help Working closely with the North West TUC, Mike now works as a supply teacher we developed bespoke training incorporating and is passionate about the mental CASEWORKERS and officers in Norfolk Mental Health First Aid, England’s accredited wellbeing of pupils and their teachers. have had heart-breaking experiences helping model, and key elements of NEU health and “Schools are becoming like factory members through a mental health crisis – safety rep training. production lines and there is definitely including talking people out of suicide over the Every course has been oversubscribed and a huge increase in mental illness in phone. And this is not uncommon for officers we now have 60 new NEU MHFA reps. Many teachers and pupils. It’s extremely around the country. have gone on to become school and health and worrying,” he says. An independent review on how employers safety reps or local union officers. Mike’s advice is: “Find someone can better support the mental health of NEU MHFA training is an incredibly who can listen to you. Anxiety employees has been published this month. powerful organising and recruitment tool. We knows no boundaries and, if you are The Stevenson/Farmer review, Thriving need to prioritise this training nationally until struggling with it, you need to seek at Work, recommends that all employers every school has a trained NEU MHFA rep. help to understand it.” adopt mental health core standards and Ian Watkinson, health and safety officer, professional bodies implement training and Lancashire NEU: NUT section

26 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em Green Paper just won’t cut it TEACHING can be the most rewarding but “We laugh so much, TOO little, too late is the Union verdict also the most stressful of occupations. Striking a which helps after being on the woefully unambitious proposals good work-life balance is essential. But making set out in the Government’s mental this more than a platitude is a big challenge. in the classroom all day.” health Green Paper. One teacher from Kent thinks he has part Secondary TA Schools and local authorities of the answer. Paul Ursell, from Laleham Gap need sufficient funding for appropriate in Thanet – a school that specialises in teaching staffing and well-resourced care children with autistic spectrum and speech and pathways. Simply ‘incentivising’ language disorders – is also a fully qualified schools to have a designated senior table tennis coach. lead for mental health is not the issue. ‘Ping Pong Paul’, as he is affectionately known, originally set up table tennis clubs for More harm than good his pupils with a National Lottery grant for ten Mental health support teams indoor and two outdoor tables. comprising hastily trained, non- specialist staff can not substitute for Smashing for kids, so why not staff too? educational psychologists, properly “The success of the clubs for the children got “It’s great to spend time resourced child and adolescent mental me thinking,” explained Paul. with staff who we usually health services provision and other “Clubs were doing great things for their support services which have been physical, social and mental wellbeing. And, just pass in the corridor.” culled due to the funding crisis in most importantly, they were fun. So if they were Resources manager local government. In fact, the NEU’s great for the kids, why not for the staff?” concern is that these teams might So every Thursday, Paul runs a staff table ‘Hit Mr Ursell’ – a game using me as a target – actually cause more harm than good. tennis club with the added incentive of an is popular. Towards the end, there is usually a The Green Paper fails to mention annual staff vs pupils trophy to encourage ‘ladder’ so players can play matches and end up the effects of the arts being squeezed people to put the practice in. on top. The weekly ladder report is a hot topic out of the curriculum, exam factory- A total of 30 staff attend. One of the in the staff room.” style assessment across all key stages keys to its success is a relaxed and welcoming and ongoing accountability pressures. atmosphere. “People lead busy lives,” Paul ‘Happy teachers are better teachers’ Specialist teams supporting pupils said. “We have homes to go to, meetings and The weekly Effort and Achievement certificate, with SEND are also omitted, raising marking to do and kids to pick up. They don’t handed out in assembly, is much prized, while serious safeguarding issues. have to stay for the whole hour – they can just the biggest award is the end-of-year trophy. The The NEU response will be robust drop in. Sometimes people are having so much club now plans to extend sessions and have a and raise concerns we know members fun it overruns, so latecomers get a good game. fun match with teachers from a local school. have about these proposals. “The head teacher and deputies are regular So, Ping Pong Paul’s advice? “Go for it! Proper funding of services visitors, as are support staff and teachers from ‘Instant Ping’ sets are very cheap so any table can and staff alongside a whole school all key stages and residential, allowing everyone easily be converted for play. The benefits in terms approach, which fosters a supportive to mix. Much of the success of the club has been of physical, mental and social wellbeing are huge. community atmosphere, with a people meeting and mixing with people they And happy teachers are better teachers.” creative curriculum and statutory n may never have spoken to otherwise. Paul can help those interested in setting PSHE, would at least begin to tackle “It’s the perfect antidote to a stressful day. up a club. Email [email protected] putting the issue of mental health. Much of the time is spent playing team games. ‘Ping Pong Paul’ in the subject line.

NEU advice focuses on the workplace, not the worker THE Union has a wealth of information and advice on workplace, encouraging support and help from colleagues, improving workplace mental health and tackling stress. instituting fair and equal treatment, clear procedures and The NEU Mental Health Charter addresses the issues stress risk assessments. in schools or colleges which lead or contribute to mental Download your copy at teachers.org.uk/help-and- ill health in staff. It aims to put the focus on the workplace advice/health-and-safety/mental-health-charter not the worker, to challenge employers to develop healthy The website also includes advice on protecting workplaces and promote a collective approach to good teachers’ mental health, tackling stress and step-by-step mental health at work. guides to stress risk assessments. It contains advice on how to introduce a model Visit teachers.org.uk/help-and-advice/health-and- mental health policy at work, including developing a safe safety/s to download your copies.

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 27 News NQTs buzzing with great ideas Conference calling NEU: NUT section will hold its annual conference over the Easter weekend. This year’s event is in Brighton, where delegates will debate motions from associations which will go on to form Union policy. This is the last year that the ATL and NUT sections of the NEU will hold separate conferences. Follow events online at teachers. org.uk/news-events/events/ annual-conference or on Facebook at facebook.com/nut.campaigns and Twitter @NUTonline WE all know about the struggles of cohort (pictured above) and tried to show Trans support network getting newly qualified teachers involved them what a campaigning Union is really for. THE NEU’s first trans teachers’ in the Union: workload, no-one has time Volunteer mentors discussed NEU roundtable took place in January. to sit through a two-hour meeting and, campaigns, the successes we’ve achieved The event, open to all trans and sometimes, ‘union’ is a dirty word. and the vision we have for education. non-binary members of NUT and But what if we could make ‘union’ a Students were handed a ‘Build your ATL sections, set about developing different sort of word? One that suggested own campaign’ guide and were soon guidance documents on transitioning positive change, that things can be better, buzzing with ideas: developing and in the workplace and building a being part of a movement making the world supporting diversity in schools; workload support network in the Union. a better, fairer place. and mental health concerns; assessment Feedback was overwhelmingly reform; and curriculum suggestions around positive, with participants describing On a mission to inspire NQTs increasing accessibility and engagement. the day as “inspirational”, and Many of us already think of the Union like Students will present their ideas to a “profound”. One said: “I am seriously that, but it’s not always easy to see over a judging panel, including NEU Joint General planning to come out at work.” pile of marking. Secretary Kevin Courtney, at an awards David Braniff-Herbert, senior So, armed with a buffet, cookies dinner in June, and the strongest campaign organiser for LGBT+ members, and grand plans, the Northern National will be funded by NEU Northern region. said: “The NEU wants to build the Education Union (NEU) borrowed a PGCE Nik Jones, Vale of Derwent, NEU: NUT section representation of trans and non- binary teachers while creating a space for discussion, ideas and support.” n The group’s next meeting will take Union focuses on Welsh policy place at the NEU LGBT+ conference, which takes place from 20-22 April. A CONFERENCE, allowing members to set workload, pay and conditions; child the agenda for the Union’s work, will take poverty; 3-19 schools; supply teaching; Under-35s conference place in Wales on 3-4 March. and funding. THE NUT section Young Teachers’ More than 100 delegates from every Conference takes place from 22-24 local authority in Wales are due to attend Wales at the heart of NEU’s agenda June at Warwick University. the first policy conference since the “This is a really exciting development for the Open to members aged 35 and formation of the NEU, which will be held at Union in Wales,” said David Evans, Wales under, the event gives young teachers Celtic Manor in Newport. secretary of NEU: NUT section. a chance to discuss the issues they During the Saturday session, delegates “The establishment of a conference face and work out practical solutions. will hear views from the frontline on the to allow Welsh members to set policy on Speakers include NEU Joint challenges we face, and be addressed by devolved issues will really help put the General Secretary Kevin Courtney the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary expertise and experience of individual and author and journalist Melissa for Education, Kirsty Williams AM, who will members at the heart of the Union’s agenda. Benn. There will also be plays, a disco be updating members on her vision for “The fact that the Cabinet Secretary is and a quiz. To apply, visit teachers. the sector. attending goes to show just how important org.uk/news-events/events/ Some of the key motions to be this conference is and how influential our young-teachers-conference or email debated are the role and existence growing membership is to the education [email protected] of regional education consortia; the debate within the sector.” implementation of a new curriculum; Email [email protected]

28 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 Obituary Mary Compton

Inspirational teacher trade unionist and former NUT president Mary Compton Photo by Report Digital A passion to make the world a better place

Words by Ian Murch, NEU: NUT section executive

FORMER NUT president Mary Compton She made many memorable contributions them matters of life and death as teachers has died. She was an inspirational teacher to campaigns in both countries. In fight repression in many countries. trade unionist and her passing has robbed Powys, she led marches, lobbies and a Mary was also a contributor to and us of someone who worked with passion strike against school closures as recently editor of books that documented these and far-sightedness to make the world a as 2015/2016. struggles. She visited India a number of better place. She was the NUT speaker at the times to understand, report on and build Mary, a secondary school teacher of million-strong rally against British support for teachers there. modern languages, was active in the NUT intervention in Iraq in 2003. She began throughout her teaching career. She was her speech: “I am speaking as a teacher. ‘No edge or self-importance’ secretary of the Radnor Association for I extend my solidarity to the teachers of Mary was the architect of the Global 30 years and of the Powys Division. Iraq and the children of Iraq.” Education Reform conference held in After being an executive member for 2014 that was the catalyst for our system Wales, she became a national officer of the International perspective of International Solidarity Officers. NUT in 2002 and served as President in Mary was determined to internationalise Her illness prevented her attending 2004-5. At the time of her death, Mary was the struggles of teachers against the the NUT’s recent delegation to Mexico, a trustee of the Union. global phenomena of privatisation and which she had asked us to organise in neoliberalism that so often undermine our solidarity with persecuted teacher trade Putting words into action professional status and drive down the unionists there, but she was keen to hear Mary saw injustice as something to be quality of education in the interest of profit. the outcomes. tackled, not just complained about. She founded and obtained funding Mary, a lovely person with no edge or In Wales and in England she thought to develop teachersolidarity.com as a way self-importance, leaves behind a wonderful about what needed to be done, committed of bringing together information about family – her husband Hugh Pope, and herself and recruited others to the cause. struggles everywhere in the world, some of children Clarrie, Helen, Blanche and Faith.

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 29 News It’s time to revisit the No workplace rep? golden age of Plowden You can elect one WORKPLACE reps are the lifeblood of the Union and make a huge difference. A CONFERENCE marking 50 years since If you don’t have an NUT section the publication of the Plowden Report was rep, hold a meeting of members in held at Hamilton House. your workplace and elect one. Notify Children and their Primary Schools was your division or association secretary – published in 1967 by the Central Advisory details on your membership credential Council for Education, chaired by Lady and at teachers.org.uk/contactus Bridget Plowden – it became known as the Find out more at teachers.org.uk/ Plowden Report. getinvolved Plowden promoted the concept of If you have moved, tell us your child-centred learning: “At the heart of the new home or school address. You educational process lies the child.” may also be eligible for reduced subscriptions. Art as the fourth ‘R’ Visit teachers.org.uk/update, In the report, Plowden said that art was seen call us on 0345 811 8111 (Mon-Fri as crucial for children’s development – the 9am-5pm), email membership@ fourth ‘R’ in education. neu.org.uk or write to: Membership Speaker Helen Featherstone, Associate & Subscriptions, National Education Professor Emerita of Teacher Education, Michigan State University, visited UK Education Union (NEU) senior policy officer Union, Hamilton House, Mabledon Ken Jones said. Reading through the pages Place, London, WC1H 9BD. primary schools from the late 1960s. She told conference how the school of the Teacher in 1967, you are struck by how environment was beautiful, decorated with much the Union focuses on teacher salaries The Teacher reduces children’s art: “Teachers valued children’s and funding for school buildings. its carbon footprint beautiful creations as much as they valued Primary wellbeing back on the agenda WITH the use of plastics in everyday their growth in skills,” she said. “You don’t see that today. All gets Today, pay and funding have been joined products in the news, we thought by curriculum and assessment on the you might like to know a bit about the swept away – we’re on a staircase and don’t want to get left behind.” Union’s agenda. In 2016 the NUT declared: wrapping used to cover the Teacher. “Primary assessment is not fit for purpose. It Our magazine is wrapped in low- Plowden also saw play as vital to children’s learning. “Playing needs to return is harming children’s learning, and in some density polyethylene, or LDPE, which cases, their wellbeing.” is number 4-coded and commonly to centre stage,” south London teacher Scott Hartley told the conference. Teachers want a primary system which used to manufacture shopping bags, promotes learning and includes all children, dry cleaning bags and flexible bottles “We are regurgitating Victorian models of education,” and this is the main reason and in many cases, these are the principles and lids. they work for in their own classrooms. LDPE 4 is often combined with so many teachers are leaving, as they are “stressed out, overworked and disengaged”. Yet when you mention Plowden today wood to create composite lumber used you are “met with blank faces,” said Dr Emily in park benches and play equipment. Teachers complained about today’s assessment culture. “Rather than focus on Harper, a teacher at Lyndhurst Primary Of the three most commonly used School in Camberwell, London. She said recyclable plastics, LDPE results in the the needs of the child, education is about the needs of the country,” said one. “Primary teachers who do recall Plowden see it most greenhouse gas savings during as, “a monument to a lost golden age of the recycling process. school prepares children for secondary school, then for the world of work.” progressive education”. We’d urge you to recycle your In the current climate, said Ken plastic cover. You can: Another said: “Schools are just teaching to the tests. The Union has an important role Jones, revisiting Plowden and its ideas for n Contact your local authority to see progressive primary education is more if it accepts LDPE 4 plastic in your to play in campaigning against this culture.” The NUT at the time did not really important than it’s ever been. curbside recycling bin. n Visit alecclegg.com/plowden n If not, ask if it is accepted at your engage with ‘Plowdenism’, National recycle centre. n Recycle LDPE 4 plastics at your local supermarket in the shopping bag recycle bin. We have also changed the plastic we use and reduced our carbon footprint by a third.

30 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 Cartoon by Polly Donnison

Mental health matters… but not that much

Warwick Mansell is a her heartbreak at visiting schools, speaking sentence about how young people can be freelance education to children in lower sets and learning of their helped dealing with exam pressure. journalist and former feelings of low self-esteem. Any objective observer might TES correspondent. In December, the Departments wonder, for the sake of pupils, whether the Read his blog at of Education and Health and Social seemingly anxiety-freighted pressure on teachers.org.uk/blogs/ Care published a joint Green Paper on schools, teachers, children and parents to web-editor-1 “transforming” children’s mental health raise results was having a negative impact. provision. It comes complete with its They might also consider whether own set of statistics, such as 850,000 policymakers’ desire to move “tougher” THE tweet from charity Barnardo’s was UK children and young people having a material earlier into primary school curricula, unequivocal. “School is the biggest worry “diagnosable mental health disorder”. and make tests harder so more children fail for children… our new research shows half Yet nowhere within this 54-page them, might have negative effects. of all secondary schoolchildren feel sad or document is there any mention of even All of this is depressingly predictable anxious every week.” the possibility that education policy may be when viewed through the lens of Whitehall School was cited as the main cause contributing to some young people’s anxiety. calculation: why consider whether your own of stress by 65 per cent of English 12- to The document – which overall focuses policies might be causing problems, when 16-year-olds taking part in Barnardo’s on tackling symptoms rather than delving that could lay yourself open to criticism? survey, while by the age of 16, “stress at too deeply into causes – mentions the But it is staggering when you take a school was a worry for 83 per cent”. pressures of “social media” 14 times, step back. A Government department In response, Natasha Devon, the presumably as this is an issue that can supposedly concerned to make children’s Government’s former mental health largely be parked at other people’s doors. mental health one of its priorities has in champion, wrote: “My own research Barnardo’s survey acknowledges that effect ruled out pulling on the one lever it confirms this. ‘Academic anxiety’ now social media is a problem for some children, has the most direct control over – education tops the list of young people’s worries, but the proportions were relatively low, at policy itself – to make a change for the better. replacing bullying, social media and body between 10 and 20 per cent. So children’s mental health is seen as image concerns. The school system itself is Yet national curriculum tests, important. But not, apparently, important harming children and young people alike.” for example, feature not once in the enough for the Government to lay open At a recent conference, Cambridge Government document, and the word its own policies, or their philosophical educationist Professor Diane Reay spoke of “exam” merits a single mention, in a underpinning, to criticism.

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 31 NEU MEMBER BENEFIT LOGIN: NEU

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32 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 “You can’t just put that in A class act a book and mark it”

Laura-Jane Fisher is a drama teacher at an academy in Wakefield. As well as a full-day teaching 11- to 16-year-olds, she is also an officer for the Union. Emily Jenkins finds out what makes her a class act.

LAURA-JANE Fisher didn’t start her career Drama teacher in drama. She trained as an English teacher, Laura-Jane Fisher, but found that acting helped pupils to who is also an active express themselves. Union member and “In my first job in Bradford, a lot of the officer. She is currently children had language problems or English battling to save the as a second language,” she says. “I found teaching of music, that acting something out gave them a way drama and arts in into the English curriculum.” our schools. Soon, she made the move full- time into drama and became head of department. That was 15 years ago and Laura-Jane speaks enthusiastically of the value of drama and arts in education.

Learning through play “Drama is really important for both primary and secondary students,” she says. “Play is the basis with which we learn, and learning is all about experimenting. “The education system now is all about proving things – it’s all in books. The problem with drama is it’s not in the books, it’s in the child. It’s what the child has done that day and how they’ve grown. You can’t whether you think working-class children our teachers and our children,” she says. just put that in a book and mark it.” deserve the arts. “In particular, knowing the dangers in As a result, arts subjects are “I don’t see why the children I work cutting the arts. I try to prevent that disappearing in many schools. Laura- with shouldn’t have the same opportunities through the Union.” Jane thinks a lot of it comes from the as those going to Eton.” When I ask her how she fits it all in, she introduction of the Ebacc at GCSE level, After a full day at school, starting at laughs. “I have a teaching life and a political which prioritises core academic subjects 7.30am, Laura-Jane is usually to be found life,” she says. such as maths and science. in rehearsals. Not only are children not being taught “We’re always putting on a play of Make a difference to the future of society arts subjects but, as a consequence, some sort,” she says. Despite her hectic life, her enthusiasm for teachers are losing their jobs. “I teach all day then rehearse with teaching never waivers. “I am extremely fearful for the future,” students until 5pm every evening. We’re “I have the best job in the world,” she she says. “I know plenty of schools that currently doing High School Musical.” tells me. “There are very few people who are getting rid of drama, music and even Not only does she direct the plays, but can say they’ve made a difference to our PE. We need to have a wide spectrum also organises props, costumes and sets. future society. of education. ” “It’s way more time than I’m paid for “In my classroom I will have future but the children love putting on shows,” lawyers, doctors, even MPs – who can say ‘Eton won’t stop teaching drama!’ she tells me. that after a day at work?” She also feels there is a divide when it comes to the arts. Protecting teachers and children “I feel it’s a class thing,” Laura-Jane Laura-Jane is also an active Union member How was your day? says. “Eton is never going to stop teaching and an officer for Wakefield Division. If you know someone who’s a class act, drama, so it seems to come down to “My Union work is about protecting email details to [email protected]

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 33 Ask the Union

The workplace, not the training for employees. It tends to focus The National Education Union very much on the individual – looking, for (NEU) continues to press for change worker, needs to change example, at lifestyle factors and how to at national level. Excessive workload MY school is offering all its staff training on challenge ‘negative thinking patterns’. It emanates from a punitive accountability ‘developing personal resilience’. often culminates with the preparation of an regime and this needs to change to Is this a positive development or not? individual plan for maintaining and building secure long-term downward pressure Teachers are overwhelmed with workload on one’s own resilience. on teacher workload. and need something to change. The problem with this approach is that However, there are steps that it focuses on changing the worker rather members can take themselves, in THE fact your school is offering this training than the workplace. collaboration with school leaders, to indicates there is an awareness that work- The massive workload concerns bring about change. related stress is an issue. experienced by teachers – which are driving Organising a whole-school discussion However, a whole industry has many out of the profession – cannot be on tackling the causes of excessive developed around providing ‘resilience’ addressed solely through this approach. workload is likely to be more effective in improving the situation for all teachers than providing training on building personal resilience. The NEU has published a toolkit, giving advice on how to develop a workload campaign in individual schools – visit neu.org.uk/workload For details on resilience training – and why employers will be failing in their legal duties if this is their only response to tackling work-related stress – see tinyurl. com/y7hknfy4

British Lung Foundation advice on air pollution MY school is near a main road. I’ve heard that, in this area, annual limits for air pollution have already been breached. What can I do to help protect myself Courses for the spring term and pupils from the effects of air pollution?

Restorative approaches to conflict complex questions and critically examine THROUGHOUT the UK, levels of air Grounded in the need to repair the the world and their place within it. pollution are at unsafe and illegal levels. harm that has been done to essential 24-25 April – Hamilton House, London Some schools are in areas, like inner relationships, this course provides the London, which do indeed breach the opportunity to understand universal The ancient world in primary schools annual limits by the end of January. aspects of restorative approaches in Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Lord of Breathing toxic air can have serious schools and colleges. the Rings, Magnum ice creams – your implications for health – children and 20-21 March – Belton Woods, Grantham students love the ancient world already! people with lung conditions such as asthma Find out how to weave their enthusiasm are particularly at risk. Philosophy for children for all things Greek and Roman into your To help address concerns, the Union Help your students develop the skills teaching as an engaging support tool for has teamed up with the British Lung to communicate their thoughts and the delivery of the National Curriculum. Foundation to produce practical advice. feelings effectively, to ask and explore 24-25 April – Belton Woods, Grantham There are a number of steps schools can take to stay aware of air quality, For venues, times and more information on all our training and professional including installing air pollution monitors development courses and to book a place, go to teachers.org.uk/learning and checking the daily air pollution forecast. Your school should have an

34 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 Please write The editor welcomes your questions but reserves the right to edit them. Write to: Ask the Union, The Teacher, NEU: NUT section, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD or email [email protected] Questions for the May/June issue should reach us no later than 31 March.

AdviceLine’s crucial role as ‘safety net’

THE Union’s AdviceLine has moved to bigger and better offices in Doncaster. A launch party was held at the new premises in January, which has space for 30 advisers. The event was attended by Joint General Secretary Kevin Courtney and NUT section Assistant General Secretary Amanda Brown. “The AdviceLine is absolutely central to the Union’s strategy to grow and to shape the future of education,” Kevin told staff. “You are a safety net where we don’t have reps or accessible local officers. You are our ear to the ground, and can spot national trends and problems that are harder to see locally.” AdviceLine has had more than 130,000 contacts since 2014 Kevin Courtney cuts the ribbon to open the new offices in Doncaster and deals with 82 per cent of all member enquiries. secretaries and regional staff to allow dealing with more complex case work.” “These calls really matter,” said them to concentrate on finding new If you have a problem and need to Kevin. “You are relieving divisional reps, recruiting members, as well as contact AdviceLine, call 020 3006 6266.

individual school travel plan, which sets Should performance members by the NUT section’s National out how parents can be encouraged to use Organising Forum for Sixth Form Colleges. means of transport that do not contribute scores influence pay? This advice is now available at teachers. to air pollution. AS a sixth-form college teacher, the org.uk/6fcs Schools can also look at ways to reduce A-level Performance System (ALPS) scores Many head teachers and principals their own emissions, such as installing derived from my students are being used will argue that ALPS can be used as a robust energy-efficient appliances and ensuring as an indicator of my performance and will and reliable benchmarking system. Our computers and electronic devices are influence my pay progression. What is the analysis shows how ALPS is intrinsically switched off when not in use. Union’s view on this? flawed, making it potentially more unsuitable The NEU guidance also contains details as a basis for pay progression decisions even of lesson plans and resources that teachers THE Union continues to oppose in than other numerical measures. can use to educate children about these principle the use of numerical appraisal In addition, using ALPS puts the important issues. objectives which are linked to student temptation in front of school and college For more details, visit tinyurl.com/ exam performance. leaders that performance figures can be y8qonpdg However, the use of scores derived dramatically improved simply by bumping Members can check the air quality using ALPs is particularly fraught with weaker students from their courses. near their school by visiting clientearth.org/ problems, and advice specifically on this Feedback from members on the new poisoned-playgrounds/ area has recently been produced for advice would be welcomed.

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 35

International Building a united society

Words by Louise Regan, President, NEU: NUT section

IN October last year, I was invited to attend a fact-finding mission by Remembering Srebrenica. Fact file The organisation is working hard In 1992, Bosnia – a to raise awareness of the atrocities Yugoslav republic that took place in 1995 in Bosnia with a mix of Herzegovina, when over 8,500 people Serbs, Muslims and were killed in or around Srebrenica Croats – voted for and an estimated 20,000-30,000 independence from women were systematically raped. Yugoslavia. Bosnia’s It was an extremely thought- Serbs, backed by provoking visit. We heard survivor Serbs from other testimonies and met organisations parts of Yugoslavia, working to ensure that there is justice resisted. Over a for those affected by what happened. million Bosnian We visited Potocary, a supposed Muslims and ‘safe area’ which proved anything but Louise Regan (left) during her visit last October Croats were driven for the thousands of Muslims who from their homes arrived there in the hope of sanctuary. people we met were keen to build alongside each other and were often in widespread Potocary is now home to a museum, a united, tolerant society and to close friends, to one where hatred ethnic cleansing. documenting the crimes of the overcome the hatred that existed at and intolerance allowed atrocities to By the time the genocide that followed. Opposite is the that time. take place. war ended in 1995, cemetery, where thousands of white One of the most shocking things We must continue to speak out 100,000 people, gravestones stand as a memorial to was how quickly it changed from a about what has happened in the past predominantly those who were killed. peaceful society, where people from but also learn from it. We must build a Muslim, were killed. Despite the atrocities, all the different faiths and cultures lived more tolerant, caring world.

Walking through shelling to leave a note for her students

RETIRED teacher Safija Trbonja (pictured city. But this just added to Safija’s worries. “My with her son Rešad) was in her fifties cheek was never dry in that time; I was always when the Bosnian war broke out. Born crying,” she said. “I couldn’t say I was afraid for and raised in Sarajevo – Bosnia’s capital my life, only that my Rešad stayed alive. city – she spent much of her career “You could bear everything: the cold, and teaching in primary schools in the city. not having anything to eat, and the shortage of electricity, all of that was bearable. But the fact “I couldn’t believe that war could happen in that you could lose your child, that’s something Bosnia,” she said. “But one morning in February you could never understand.” 1992, after the independence from Yugoslavia The family was so close to starvation that referendum was completed, barricades food. But life continued, no matter what.” they had to resort to extreme measures. On his appeared in the streets and trenches were dug.” Eventually they found a space to set up a days off from fighting, Rešad would often go So began the Siege of Sarajevo, the school but whether it could open depended on to the hospital – several days in a row – to give longest of a capital city in the history of the strength of the bombardment each day. blood, just so he could get the single tin of beef modern warfare. Bosnian Serbs encircled Either way, Safija would have to walk he would receive in return. Sarajevo with a siege force of 13,000 troops. through the shelling and leave a note on the The siege lasted until 29 February, 1996. Under constant shelling Safija attempted door to let the children know if school would A total of 13,952 people were killed, including to teach students from her apartment. “We be open that day or not. On the days that it was 5,434 civilians. Somehow, Safija and her family patched together that school year, so that open, protecting the children on the journey to managed to survive. the children could finish something,” she said. and from school was extremely difficult. Safija is now 79 and still living in Sarajevo. “We were surrounded, with nowhere to Safija’s son Rešad, who was 19 at the time, She now spends her time encouraging her go; no water, no electricity, not to mention immediately joined the army to help protect the grandchildren with their school work.

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 37 Apps Websites

Wunderlist A TO-DO list and STEM Learning project organizer, featuring timed reminders, notes and additional information for each item. You can quickly create different folders for different types of to-dos and lists, for example: ‘movies to watch’ or ‘shopping lists’, which makes managing tasks much easier. The app synchronises lists across your devices, and can also share lists and folders with others and forward emails to the application to save as tasks and to-dos. Clear and easy to use. Clara Cavendish Wunderlist. Free. Available on iOS, Android, Windows, Kindle Fire and STEM Learning is the largest UK provider of can be used without tinkering. It’s possible the Web education and careers support in science, to ‘favourite’ specific resources for ease technology, engineering and mathematics. of use and a rating system helps filter the Phrasebot As part of its offering for educators, the most popular. website contains a range of resources to With such a wide variety of resources, support the teaching of STEM subjects. STEM teachers are sure to benefit. And the Registration is free, and the library fact it’s free is a welcome bonus. of resources is large, with chapters of text Joseph Allen DESIGNED to replace old-fashioned books nestled alongside activities that stem.org.uk/resources physical flashcard games to boost students’ vocabulary. Players receive clues and have to connect word tiles to construct the answer. A star system is used Lesley Clarke Synthetic Phonics to track progress and keep players engaged. CREATED by a National Education Union resources for teaching phases 5 & 6 of While various card sets come (NEU) member, this one-stop phonics Letters and Sounds. There are table-top bundled with the app, including website provides lots of time-saving mats, materials for display, links to useful Spanish and Japanese, users can also classroom resources, useful information internet resources, all the past phonics import their own flashcards using and links to help teachers, TAs and parents screening check materials in one place Quizlet, if they are prepared to pay a support children’s knowledge and skills. and sound files parents can use to help one-off fee for the privilege. Resources include activities to use with enunciation of phonemes. Younger users, English as an in phonics lessons, adult-initiated tasks, Clara Cavendish additional language students, or detailed lesson plans and accompanying lesleyclarkesyntheticphonics.co.uk those working in modern foreign language subjects should find enough here to keep them occupied. Joseph Allen Phrasebot. Free. Available on iOS and Android

If you have websites or apps useful to teachers or pupils that you think we should review, or you would like to become a reviewer, email [email protected]

38 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 Books for teachers Kids’ books Lightbulb revision guides Let’s Talk About the Birds and the Bees A NEW series written by NEU member Janet Oliver, AIMED at designed to help students aiming at grade 5 or above in parents and English literature GCSE. carers to share The guides are clearly laid out using key quotations with their from texts which can be analysed for language, children, this structure and context. The quotations are then informative book ‘recycled’ to fit different themes and characters within a is sensitively text, which really helps students to be focused and written in a efficient with their revision. There is also a detailed model child-friendly style. Each double page essay for each chapter, plus a grade 9 exploration box to has a question that children might ask, encourage students to consider alternative interpretations. such as: what does puberty feel like? There are also free videos on Youtube for teachers to and how are babies born? use in class – visit www.lightbulbrevision.com Cindy Shanks Helen Watson Let’s Talk About the Birds and the Bees by Lightbulb GCSE English literature revision guides by Janet Oliver. Vega Publishing. £9.99 Molly Potter, illustrated by Sarah Jennings. Bloomsbury. £12.99 The Everything Machine Developing Self-Confidence IMAGINE you were expecting a new in Young Writers rabbit hutch in the post when, upon WITH the help of this book, cries of ‘I don’t know how to write!’ unpacking, you find may become a thing of the past. a 3D printer. Eleven- The book lists dozens of practical suggestions to help year-old Olly makes children feel more confident when developing their writing. sweets, a swimming It offers two approaches: providing children with a toolkit pool and even a of different techniques, alongside encouraging them to think working dad replica. Heart-warming for themselves. It also promotes their development as writers and compelling, if there is a moral it’s through a series of activities designed to boost their self- be careful what you wish for! esteem and confidence. Len Parkyn Aliss Langridge The Everything Machine by Ally Kennen. Developing Self-Confidence in Young Writers by Steve Bowkett. Bloomsbury Education. £16.99 Scholastic Children’s Books. £6.99 The Secrets of the Stone Making every primary lesson count NINE-year-old amateur sleuth Lottie Lipton lives in PRIMARY school teachers Payne and Scott share good the British Museum. practice and advice for really making a difference to In this adventure, young learners. she finds herself Written in an engaging style, this is both practical and caught up in a accessible and a book for primary teachers to return to mystery involving again and again. the Rosetta Stone. It combines theory with practice: providing practical A set of secret clues send Lottie examples while sharing six pedagogical principles – across London looking for historical challenge, explanation, modelling, practice, feedback and sights. Packed with fun facts and questioning. It illustrates these with realistic classroom riddles for the reader to help solve. strategies to help develop growth of pupils. Sian Collinson Aliss Langridge The Secrets of the Stone by Dan Metcalf. Making every primary lesson count – six principles to support A&C Black. £4.99 great teaching and learning by Jo Payne and Mel Scott. Crown House. £12.99

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 39 Letters

Educating mermaids On kindness, care, compassion; actions recognisable. The use of the picture was from the heart. somewhat contradictory since Cuba Upon qualification, they sent me out to sea Yet it seems to be with humans that they is one of the countries in the world A long and lonely journey, just my book take longer to start which has already achieved – and indeed for company, They need written methods, data, facts, surpassed – the majority of the targets To educate the merfolk. Oh, how naïve it analysis, a chart. identified in SDG Goal 4. was to be How is it we have become so inward- Boys and girls have equal access to So, aloof in my conviction that these looking, so myopic? completely free pre-primary, primary and creatures ‘needed’ me. When really, you could hardly call the secondary education. All tertiary education Of course, they didn’t need to learn their answers microscopic. in Cuba, including all university graduate, times tables by rote Education reaches out to us, if we only post-graduate and doctorate study, is And it was fruitless too to analyse the care to look, completely free of charge. sonnets Shakespeare wrote. And understand that not everything can Cuba has one of the highest literacy Gawking at long division, they decided be taught or learnt from books. rates in the world and has been so all by vote R Waspe successful that its system of teaching To teach me how to become more literacy has received recognition by morally ‘afloat’. Cuba is achieving its goals UNESCO, contributed to the eradication of Shortly after, followed my letter to the illiteracy in Bolivia and Venezuela, and even education board IT WAS somewhat ironic to see the ‘Goals been used in “developed” countries such as Recommending no more teachers to be for the globe’ article in the January issue of New Zealand and Spain. allocated overboard. the Teacher – explaining the involvement Cuba has a strong equality policy with Because no teaching was required, indeed of the NEU/NUT with the campaign to women constituting the majority in many I felt a fraud. promote the United Nations Sustainable professions, while education is viewed as To consider merfolk uneducated, the Development Goals (SDGs) – illustrated by a lifelong process ensuring everyone has system must be flawed. a picture of Cuban school children. access to appropriate education to equip I returned from sea triumphant, new Although the children’s country is not them with the skills for work. knowledge to impart identified, their distinctive uniform is easily The curriculum within the Cuban education system ensures that children learn about threats to the environment and the need to develop initiatives to Teacher’s pet achieve the SDGs. Cuba is continually trying to improve Meet Jane, Lizzie and Marianne the learning environment for its students but is hindered by the impact of the US- CHICKENS Jane, Lizzie and imposed blockade which pushes up the Marianne are the teacher’s pets costs of building materials, computers, of City of Leicester teacher Braille machines, musical instruments and Jessica Edmonds. many other resources. “They’re fantastic!” she writes. Cuba’s record in providing scholarships “They need free range time every for students from developing countries day and watching them scratch and is amazing. The Latin American School of peck around the garden is not only Medicine (ELAM), estimated to be the relaxing, but a great way for me to largest medical school in the world, helps get outside. educate students to become doctors and “They’re endlessly entertaining medical practitioners. Tens of thousands too: dust bathing or jumping to catch have graduated. Students from the USA flies or spiders!” who cannot afford to train as doctors in their own country have graduated from ELAM n If you would like to show off a and returned to practice medicine. much-loved pet, send your high- Children in Cuba are taught in classes resolution picture, with 50 words that are smaller than those in many about them, to [email protected] countries in the so-called developed world and the training of teachers is

40 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 Please write The editor welcomes your letters but reserves the right to edit them. Write to: Letters, The Teacher, NEU: NUT section, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD or email [email protected] Letters for the May/June issue should reach us no later than 31 March. Please note we cannot print letters sent in without a name and postal address (or NUT membership number), although we can withhold details from publication if you wish.

given high priority by the government. Star letter Cuba strongly supports the SDGs. It is a pity that successive British governments Taking the local authority out of have fallen far short of these achievements. Cuba’s educational achievements deserve education: a cautionary tale to be recognised and emulated. Bernard Regan, NEU/NUT Trustee and IN 2008, I left the brutal world secretary of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign of further education (FE), where I had spent the bulk of my working life, for the Pensions’ poet calmer waters of a high school. Dear Teachers’ Pensions, This `brutality’ emanated not Hear my plea, all I want is a P60 from students, but from the Delivered through my letter box the way it management culture which had used to be. firmly taken root throughout the sector. I tried to use your website to get what Not that FE was always I require. such a hostile place in which to But several hours later was floundering in work. Back in the mid-1970s, a mire when I first started out as a Of passwords, numbers, questions, ticks bright-eyed, bushy-tailed young economics lecturer, it was the place to be. and 100s and 100s of bloomin’ clicks. A wonderful document, called the Silver Book (FE’s equivalent of the Burgundy So, next I tried to phone you – at last a voice Book) stipulated national conditions of pay and service to which all colleges had to came through. adhere, and which ensured good annual holidays and maximum limits on teaching Telling me, quite politely, to join a queue – hours, amongst other things. of 62. But, come the early 1990s, a Tory government, still on a high over its defeat of the And now I’ve read the Teacher mag – a few miners, discovered a hitherto unnoticed group of workers – the college lecturers – who, other people having a nag. horror of horrors, seemed to be enjoying decent pay and conditions of service. Although I knew I was not alone – on At the dawn of the age of `internal markets’ and the belief that direct local authority the phone. control of FE had led to unresponsive, inefficient suppliers, this clearly would not do. So in 1993, local authority control was removed and each college was given Perhaps you need an Ofsted (I think that’s corporate status – providers of further education would now manage their own budgets what they call it). and be forced to respond to the wishes of their `customers’ as funding would be Even a review would do, but definitely determined by the numbers `signed up’. an audit. The reality turned out to be somewhat different. The very first thing to happen was But meanwhile, please, come April, it’s not that principals re-designated themselves `chief executives’ and awarded themselves, too much to ask. and their ever-expanding army of top managers, eye-watering pay increases and perks Put my P60 in the post, it’s not an such as company cars and lavishly furnished executive suites. onerous task The CEOs’ next task was to sort out the lecturers by getting them onto `flexible, I’ve sent what’s called an envelope, attached professional’ contracts and to kick out the Silver Book. a stamp (it’s licked, what’s more). What followed in subsequent years was excruciatingly painful for the frontline And then my dear old postman can drop it troops who did the teaching: no nationally agreed conditions of pay and service; through my door. widespread casualisation; holiday times slashed; substantially increased teaching loads, L Seed, NUT Surrey Division sometimes with no weekly limits; hand-picked, largely unaccountable, undemocratic governing bodies; publicly funded institutions crawling with private sector `consultants’; an obsession with `quality assurance’ and ever greater levels of bureaucracy. Gold star for the Teacher! And, all the while, executive salaries and perks continued on their upward path, as I FOUND the current issue of the Teacher did cases of financial mismanagement and corporate corruption. considerably better than previous ones. So, what a good idea it is that schools should now also be able to `take control’ of I’m not sure what changes you have put in their own affairs and free themselves from the `dead hand’ of the local authority. place, but it is working well and making the Somehow, I don’t think so… magazine more interesting. Henry Tiller, Redbridge NEU: NUT section Roy Wilkes, Bury NUT

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TheThe Teacher: Teacher: Advertisement Mar/Apr 2018 43 SCHOOL COMPETITION 2018

The Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) School Competition is free to enter, open to young people of all ages and abilities and is a great follow-on activity to educational work about racism. Young people are welcome to produce work in any medium – artwork, creative writing, song and film. If it's about racism, we want to see it! Participants should work with SRtRC resources before producing entries. If your school already has a copy of the SRtRC film and education pack there is no need to re-order.

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How green is Book now for speech & your garden? language conference THE Royal Horticultural AN organisation supporting language Society has begun its and communication development annual search to find school is taking bookings for its 2018 gardening’s brightest stars. conference. NAPLIC’s Developmental The RHS School Gardeners Language Disorder (DLD): Making of the Year celebrates passion Change Happen event will take place and creativity in school on Saturday, 28 April. gardening, encourages schools’ Previously known as Specific ambitions with a range of top Language Impairment, DLD is the prizes and shines a light on the new internationally agreed term powerful impact that gardening to describe significant ongoing can have on children’s learning, difficulties in understanding and/or development and wellbeing. using spoken language. Nominate your Young The conference is open to School Gardener (aged 5-16), anyone with an interest in speech, School Gardening Team or language and communication needs School Gardening Champion and will provide useful resources by Wednesday, 25 April. and examples of good practice Visit schoolgardening.rhs. to help delegates make change org.uk/competitions/school- happen locally. gardeners-of-the-year The event takes place at Conference Aston Meeting Suites, Photo by Luke MacGregor (RHS) Aston University, Birmingham. To find out more and to book visit naplic.org.uk/conference Free disability awareness training Help teachers in Africa over summer holidays A CHARITY dedicated to raising disability awareness is offering free training to state schools within a 40-mile radius of its Littlehampton office. THE Charity Enable Me expects that, given the budgetary restraints on schools, disability Street Child awareness training will be greatly reduced, so it has allocated funds to try and plug the gap. is calling The training is delivered by volunteers and staff, who are all people with disabilities, on UK both physical and hidden. teachers If you are a school staff member within 40 miles of Littlehampton and interested in the to take training, call 01903 734400 or email [email protected] part in its International Teacher Training Programme in the 2018 summer holidays. The programme gives teachers a unique opportunity to travel to Sierra Leone or Liberia, and spend two weeks mentoring local teachers and improving the quality of education for thousands of children. Participants stay in local communities and visit rural schools where Street Child is working with some of the most vulnerable children. The focus is on building schools, training teachers and empowering families. Visit street-child.co.uk/ international-teacher-training- programme/ Enable Me specialises in providing disability awareness enrichment days for children of all ages

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46 The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 Staffroom conf idential Reader’s rant

To order Of myths and mums

the Union’s Girls ONE of the most prominent memories are from my childhood is sitting in the car anti-sexism with my mother, listening to a radio stickers, segment on teachers who were on email strike that day. Parents complained about finding alternative childcare equality@ and quoted statistics on how much neu.org.uk a teacher made, while the presenter including laughed at their long holidays. I remember wondering how my a postal mum felt, listening to them trample address. over her achievements. I’m almost 20 now and would like to take on some of the myths about people like my mum. 1. Teachers work from 9am to 3pm Teachers are in school before the first student arrives and long after the final bell. Today, my mother was in from 8.30am until 5pm (on a day with no after- school clubs). On an average night, she works for “an hour or two” at home, and past midnight during assessment season. 2. Teachers get long, paid holidays Though a teacher’s wage is staggered Every Desk yogaNEU272/1117 girl is throughout the year, they are different technically not paid for holidays. I have Yoga has lots of health benefits – it releases tension, many memories of summer days spent improves flexibility, ups your heart rate and lowers your at school, helping mum tidy things and blood pressure. Here are a few bendy poses you can try decide where displays would go. at your desk. 3. Teaching is a back-up plan Teaching requires dedication, a passion for enabling students to learn and grow, leadership skills and an understanding of how children and young adults think and behave. Mum studied for four years to be a teacher. For the past year, she has been taking a course to enable her to apply to be a head. 4. Teaching, especially KS1, is easy. The workload is immense – my mother often works through all her breaks during the day and at home as well. There are playground duties, trips, extra-curricular activities and keeping an eye on students’ wellbeing. When I ask my mum why she does it, her answer is simple. “There’s nothing Seated forward bend Forward fold Desk shoulder opener better than watching a little one sound Sitting straight, place your Stand up straight, then Stand a couple of feet away out letters and begin to read, to hear arms behind your lower fold forwards in half. Let from your desk. With your their laughter, their awe and wonder, back, interlacing your fingers. your shoulders and head head between your arms, enjoy their excitement… it can be the Bend forward from the waist, hang down and hold for five bend forward, placing your most rewarding job in the world.” bringing your interlaced to ten breaths. Slowly stand hands flat on the desk. Hold I hope that parents and the public hands over your back. Hold up straight, take a few deep for five to ten breaths, and can see the amount of care and hard for five to ten breaths. Repeat breaths and repeat three return to standing. Repeat work put into each school day. three times. Relieves tension times. Decompresses neck three times. Improves Name and address supplied in back and shoulders. and shoulders. shoulder alignment.

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Across 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Down 1 ___ Zuckerberg: co-founder of 1 Culinary herb (8) 8 Facebook (4) 2 ___ Zellweger: US actress in 3 Famous cricket series (3,5) 9 10 Bridget Jones’s Diary (5) 9 Ruth ___ : author and creator of 4 ___ Caulfield: protagonist of Chief Inspector Wexford (7) The Catcher in the Rye (6) 10 Brother of Moses (5) 11 5 English cricket captain 11 Boy band who took part in succeeded by Joe Root (8,4) 12 The X Factor in 2010 (3,9) 6 Eg insulin (7) 13 Ointment used to treat bruises (6) 13 14 15 7 A form of silicon dioxide (4) 15 Roman statesman and writer 8 Actor who starred in 16 (106-43 BC) (6) Waterworld (5,7) 17 Actor who played Maximus in 17 18 12 Ada ___ : English Gladiator (7,5) mathematician and daughter 19 20 Gordon ___ : former Prime Minister (5) of Lord Byron (8) 21 Infectious disease of the small 20 21 14 Cells that transmit nerve intestine (7) impulses (7) 22 Nationality of composer Joseph 16 ___ Keys: US R&B singer (6) Haydn (8) 22 23 18 Final letter of the Greek 23 Virginia ___ : British tennis player alphabet (5) Across Down who won Wimbledon in 1977 (4) 1Answers - ___ Zuckerberg: at Facebook bottom co-founder of(4) this page1 - Culinary herb (8) 19 Swedish pop group (4) 3 - Famous cricket series (3,5) 2 - ___ Zellweger: US actress in Bridget Jones's Diary (5) 9 - Ruth ___ : author and creator of Chief Inspector 4 - ___ Caulfield: protagonist of The Catcher in the Rye (6) Wexford (7) 5 - English cricket captain succeeded by Joe Root (8,4) 10 - Brother of Moses (5) 6 - Eg insulin (7) 11 - Boy band who took part in The X Factor in 2010 7 - A form of silicon dioxide (4) What's in your(3,9) lunchbox? 8 - Actor who starred in Waterworld (5,7) Leek, 13 - Ointment used to treat bruises (6) 12 - Ada ___ : English mathematician and daughter of Lord Byron 15 - Roman statesman and writer (106-43 BC) (6) Faced with the choice of school dinners, sandwiches from(8) the tarragon and 17 - Actor who played Maximus in Gladiator (7,5) 14 - Cells that transmit nerve impulses (7) local Spar or a snack in between20 - Gordon ___midday : former Prime Minister activities, (5) many teachers 16 - ___ Keys: US R&B singer (6) mushroom 21 - Infectious disease of the small intestine (7) opt to bring in food from home. Send us your tasty lunchbox18 - Final letter of theideas Greek alphabet (5) 22 - Nationality of composer Joseph Haydn (8) 19 - Swedish pop group (4) risotto for our recipe column. 23 - Virginia ___ : British tennis player who won Wimbledon in 1977 (4) Serves 2 This recipe comes from NEU: NUT section executive member Alex Kenny, who suggests eating it while watching an episode of detective series Endeavour. The dish serves two, or one and enough for lunch the next day.

Ingredients 3. Cut the mushrooms into bite-sized 4. Add the rice and tarragon. Stir to make chunks. Add them to the pan and stir for sure the rice is coated. 3 small leeks two minutes. 5. Add a ladleful of stock. Cook until the 50g butter rice has absorbed the liquid. 225g chestnut mushrooms 6. Repeat, adding a ladle of stock at a time. 2 tbsp chopped tarragon When all the stock is absorbed, the rice 275g Arborio rice 7. should be ‘al dente’. A litre of hot vegetable stock 2 tbsp chopped parsley 8. Add a large knob of butter and the chopped parsley. 9. Serve with shavings of Parmesan Method cheese, tender stem broccoli and a glass 1. Cut the leeks into small rings and wash. of chilled Verdicchio. 2. Melt half the butter in a large saucepan Email your recipe to [email protected]. and cook the leeks over a moderate heat uk with LUNCHBOX in the subject line.

for 7-8 minutes. Don’t forget to attach a picture!

19 18 16 14 ABBA. OMEGA ALICIA NEURONS Crossword solution

12 8 7 6 5 4 2 1 Down 23 22 LOVELACE COSTNER KEVIN SAND HORMONE COOK ALASTAIR HOLDEN RENEE MARJORAM WADE. AUSTRIAN

21 20 17 15 13 11 10 9 3 1 Across CHOLERA BROWN CROWE RUSSELL CICERO ARNICA DIRECTION ONE AARON RENDELL ASHES THE MARK

The Teacher: Mar/Apr 2018 49 Poverty and mental health Backbeat

Words by Jen Daffin

GROWING numbers of people UK’s most disadvantaged families. experiences and reduce the strain are becoming increasingly Rising income inequality and on teachers and children. oppressed and marginalised poverty, reduced social mobility The current system of by current political, social and and the growing number of people measuring pupils’ attainment and economic choices, generating living in insecure, overcrowded using this to judge teachers and psychological distress. housing are all problematic social schools does not support teaching Psychologists for Social issues associated with poorer or learning, and nor does it lead to Change aims to ensure that policy mental health. a balanced education. We support changes are scrutinised for their the National Education Union’s call impact on marginalised groups, and Intergenerational cycles of distress on the Government to stop turning works towards reducing structural Between now and 2021, child schools into ‘exam factories’, which inequalities which improve the poverty is forecast to rise at more affect the mental health of pupils. nation’s mental health. than three times the rate of poverty We also back the demand for a Fact file overall. According to the Child review of school ‘accountability’ Jen Daffin Ignoring the root causes Poverty Action Group, there are measures, which lead to repeated is a clinical A Green Paper, Transforming nine children living in poverty in an and unhelpful testing of pupils. psychologist Children and Young People’s average classroom of 30. in training at Mental Health Provision, By their GCSE year, there is a Broaden Government ambition Cardiff University. released by the Government 28 per cent gap between children We have written a letter asking She is part of for consultation in December, receiving free school meals and the new Secretary of State for Psychologists for is an example of a policy their more affluent peers in terms of Education, Damian Hinds, and Social Change, development which sounds the number achieving at least five Secretary of State for Health and a network of positive, but actually is a huge A*-C grades. Social Care, Jeremy Hunt, to professionals diversion from the real issues. Evidence shows that these broaden their ambition and take a working to The paper’s main thrust is experiences lead to lifelong mental public health perspective on the create the social about increasing mental health and physical health problems and mental health of children, young conditions for a provision in schools, which we intergenerational cycles of distress. people and their families. psychologically would not deny is important. The Government should be We want Government to healthy However, it ignores the root causes working towards bringing an end accurately reflect the evidence society. Visit of the growing demand on mental to unnecessary austerity policies base for socially adverse childhood psychchange.org health services. and reverse the rise in childhood experiences and review the current or on Twitter The implementation of poverty, inequality and housing education system’s ‘accountability’ @Psych austerity policies has been a insecurity. This would prevent measures and their impact on SocChange disaster for the mental health of the socially adverse childhood pupils’ mental health. Endorsed by the

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