Size matters Let’s Go Zero Winners all The benefits of much smaller Eco-activists building green NEU awards union people. classes. See page 20. schools. See page 26. See page 32. May/June 2021 Your magazine from the National Education Union ‘No going back to the bad old days’ #NEU21 conference see pages 12-15 TUC best membership communication print journal 2019 IN 1974, SHE COULD BUY HER FIRST BIG MAC BUT NOT HER FIRST HOME It was a time of cultural revolution. So perhaps that’s why it seems so extraordinary that in 1974, single professional women were routinely refused mortgages unless they had a male guarantor. For this very reason Teachers was born. A building society that promised equality, lending to young teachers regardless of gender. Call us today to find out how we could help you take your first steps towards buying your own home. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE 0800 378669 www.teachersbs.co.uk Teachers Building Society, Allenview House, Hanham Road, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 1AG. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Reg No. 156580) BIG MAC - New Branding Ads-V6.indd 1 12/04/2021 07:59 Educate May/June 2021 Welcome NEU virtual annual conference, from Hamilton House, London. Photo: Kois Miah koismiah.co.uk Size matters Let’s Go Zero Winners all WELCOME to this edition of Educate – especially all our new members The benefits of much smaller Eco-activists building green NEU awards union people. classes. See page 20. schools. See page 26. See page 32. who have just signed up to receive their first union magazine. May/June 2021 We are so proud of everything you have done during the pandemic – and all the brilliant new reps who have joined the rising tide of education trade unionists. I hope you’ve had a well-earned, relaxing break. Your magazine from the National Education Union This issue comes hot on the heels of our very first online three- day annual conference held during the Easter holidays. How proud are we of our in-house digital democracy app for delegate voting and the interactive Zoom webinars? More than 1,100 elected NEU delegates logged on to debate and vote on the most important issues affecting you and your working lives. ‘No going back to the All in a Covid-compliant, safe and accessible format. bad old days’ #NEU21 conference From fringe meetings and CPD sessions to all the key decisions, we see pages 12-15 introduced you to some first-time speakers as well as stalwarts such TUC best membership communication print journal 2019 as NEU president Robin Bevan. Read about just some of the critical moments of our conference on pages 12-15. NEU president: One motion, which was passionately debated, was from climate Robin Bevan change activists, so I’m delighted to draw attention to the construction NEU joint general secretaries: of one of the first ‘zero carbon’ schools – being built in Bedfordshire – Mary Bousted & Kevin Courtney and a full exploration of the Let’s Go Zero campaign on pages 26-29. Also at conference was an important discussion on workload post- Editor: Max Watson Covid – including a call for legal class size limits. So it’s apt we publish Editorial assistant: a first-hand account from a teacher whose experience of the joy of Sarah Thompson teaching a significantly smaller class size during lockdown this year moved her to write an article for Educate (see pages 20-22). Journalists: Meanwhile, the Herculean efforts of our reps in the independent Sally Gillen, Nadia Idle & Emily Jenkins sector to successfully defend access to their Teachers’ Pension Scheme Newsdesk are recorded on page 16. t: 020 7380 4760 We’ve also got the usual features – the ever-popular teacher’s pet, e: [email protected] puzzles, photo opportunity – plus incisive commentary from your favourite columnists and in-house Design & subbing: Amanda Ellis poet Michael Rosen. Thanks again for all you are doing for your students neu.org.uk and our union. Mary Bousted facebook.com/ National Education Union nationaleducationunion Joint general secretary twitter.com/NEUnion To advertise contact: Leanne Rowley, Century One Publishing, Alban Row, 27-31 Verulam Road, St Albans AL3 4DG t: 01727 739 183 e: [email protected] Except where the NEU has formally negotiated agreements with companies as part of its services to members, inclusion of an advertisement in Educate 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. Educate is printed by Walstead Bicester Ltd. Inside pages are printed on paper comprised of 100% recycled, post-consumer waste. educate Your magazine from the National Education Union (NEU) 3 An innovative approach to Initial Teacher Training and CPD. Combining the quality of university-standard education with the practical convenience of school-based learning. Our Initial Teacher Training courses are backed by research, and led by Nationwide experienced education professionals. Training delivered in your They’re designed with your needs in mind. school, anywhere in England Through our innovative approach, your trainee teachers spend all but six days of the PGCE working at school. While trainee teachers develop the real Supportive life experience required to succeed in Mentoring and online teaching, your school could benefit from guidance from experts fresh eyes and new approaches to teaching. For aspiring headteachers, our taught Affordable Master’s in Educational Leadership Guidance on using your will teach them the skills and resilience apprenticeship levy to help to become the next generation of fund training ON TERMS school leaders. Recruit and retain your Find out more: www.coventry.ac.uk/teacher-training next generation of teachers or call 01327 850320 LIGHTHOUSE FINANCIAL ADVICE CAN HELP SUPPORT ANY NEU MEMBERS WITH: • Savings and investments planning • Tax efficient investing • Retirement planning • Protecting your loved ones • Protecting your property We provide all NEU members with a consultation. • Inheritance tax planning Book yours today and call 08000 85 85 90 or email [email protected] and quote NEUAd2104. We can help you with all aspects of your financial planning, to successfully secure your financial future. 4 educate Your magazine from the National Education Union (NEU) The rest is history June 1870 Contents On 25 June around 100 elementary school teachers met in London to form a new trade union. First elected president, J J Graves, said: “By the elevation of the teacher, we elevate the value of education, and accelerate the progress of civilisation.” More than 1,100 delegates met digitally 151 years later. Regulars 25 Michael Rosen 31 Polly Donnison & Warwick Mansell 35 Ask the union 37 International 38 Jon Biddle & reviews 40 Teacher’s pet & letters 47 Recipe & photo opportunity 48 Quick & prize crosswords 12 News 6 Child poverty ‘We Marcus Rashford accepts NEU award for successful campaign can make to extend free school meals. 12 Conference phenomenal Delegates meet online to pledge: “No going back to the changes.’ bad old days” (above). 9 p26-29 18 NEU women at the TUC No more silence on violence, NEU women insist. 32 Union people Meet our award winners. 50 Final word Palestinian children are imprisoned, and 85 per cent experience physical violence. 20 Features 20 Small and perfectly formed Rosa Aers reflects on a glimpse of something beautiful while teaching a smaller class during lockdown (above). 26 All doing their bit 26 Meet the pioneering educators aiming for carbon neutral schools and colleges (left). educate Your magazine from the National Education Union (NEU) 5 News 1,000+ schools benefit from union appeal MORE than 1,200 of the most the paper, then there would be children provide useful advice and Turning the page disadvantaged schools in England who wouldn’t engage. Children can learn practical tips to support on poverty A practical guide for education staff to help and Wales benefited from Help a wherever they are, and if they have a bit more teachers, support staff tackle poverty and the cost of the school day Child to Learn, the joint fundraising equipment they will learn more, so we’re very and school leaders to £ campaign kickstarted by £1 million grateful for the £500 voucher from Help a remove the barriers to / x from the NEU. Child to Learn.” learning that poverty x x n + See letters, page 40 creates in the classroom. n n The appeal, launched by the union and the Visit helpachildtolearn.com Download at neu.org. uk/turning-page +@ % = Daily Mirror in January, raised an additional £ + x - £269,502 in donations from Mirror readers Turning the page on poverty and the union’s districts and branches. A NEW resource to support school staff to Huge impact of hunger on learning The money was turned into vouchers of address poverty in schools has been developed AHEAD of the spring budget, 750 councillors £500, £1,000 and £1,500 and distributed to by the NEU with expert partners. across England signed a letter to Prime Minister schools according to levels of need. The Child Poverty Action Group and Boris Johnson calling for the Government Leaders at 1,260 schools, including Children North East developed the practical to ensure children from low-income families 87 special schools, used the vouchers to guide, Turning the page on poverty, to help have access to free school meals. help meet the costs of basics such as pens understand its impact on children and young More than 1.7 million children in and paper for pupils who did not have them people in the UK, and equip schools and families in receipt of universal credit are at home.