Posted: 24th August 2016
Administration of medicines in schools
Increasingly GMB members working in schools are being asked to administer medicines to children. With the rise in childhood asthma and allergies, reduction in school nurses and with education becoming more inclusive, increasingly GMB members working in schools are being asked to administer medicines to children.
…
Posted: 24th August 2016
Review of the NJC ‘Green Book’ Pay Spine
You will recall that as part of the 2016-18 pay deal, the NJC agreed to conduct a review of
the NJC pay spine. The primary reason for this review is the introduction of the National
Living Wage. The agreed Terms of Reference for the…
Posted: 24th August 2016
The 10 legal enquiries most asked by school support staff
1. What happens if a child or parent makes an allegation against me?
Depending on the severity of the allegation, you may be suspended on full pay straight away, pending a full investigation of the incident by the Head Teacher. The Child Protection Agency…
Posted: 15th August 2016
Working Arrangements: Christmas & New Year 2016/17
Christmas Day and Boxing Day 2016 fall on Sunday and Monday respectively and New Year’s Day 2017 falls on a Sunday. The Government has designated Tuesday 27 December and Monday 2 January as public holidays with pay in substitution for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day respectively.…
Posted: 18th July 2016
Theresa May could back new wave of grammar schools across England
According to the Express, a new wave of grammar schools could be opened across England under plans being considered by Theresa May.
Indications from within Downing Street have given campaigners fresh hope that the Prime Minister will repeal a…
Posted: 18th July 2016
Children carrying weapons in schools goes up 90% in five year
The number of children found with knives and offensive weapons in schools has increased by almost 90 per cent over the past five years, according to figures obtained by ITV News.
Last year the youngest suspect was just nine years…
Posted: 18th July 2016
Anna Christina Connelly is teacher and writer. She is interested in union and wellbeing issues.
As teacher workload hits an all-time high and with pressures on schools growing, it is inevitable that this is now beginning to impact on school support staff.
I have interviewed teaching assistants (TAs) from around the country with many describing…
Posted: 18th July 2016
Justine Greening announced as new education secretary replacing – Nicky Morgan
Greening was tipped for the role by several news outlets after prime minister Theresa May was said to be seeking more women for top cabinet positions.
She moves to the role from the Department for International Development, where she has been secretary of state…
Posted: 18th July 2016
‘Why do teaching assistants not get appropriate recognition?’
When highly trained, teaching assistants support the progress of so many of our children, especially the most challenging. Why don’t we celebrate them more, this primary headteacher asks
How lucky I was to be able to attend the TES Schools Awards evening last Friday. It was…
Posted: 18th July 2016
‘Paltry pay’
This young man, it should be noted, takes home about £1,000 a month after tax. This paltry pay in no way reflects the responsibilities he is being given by the school.
This is, unfortunately, not an isolated example of exploitation. My email inbox is filling up with more horror stories as the weeks…