Members in Schools and Colleges

New Deal for School Support Staff

The Employment Rights Bill, which includes clauses on the restoration of the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB), was introduced to parliament on 10 October. Crucially, we have secured in the legislation that all schools in England, including academies, will be included.

The SSSNB will make a huge difference to our members in England, so it’s vital that we use this opportunity to get into schools and tell support staff about it. Please read the members briefing here

Minimum Service Levels: member involvement in consultation

The Department for Education (DfE) is currently consulting on proposals to introduce Minimum Service Levels (MSLs) in the education sector across England, Wales and Scotland. UNISON is strongly opposed to this attack on the right to strike, and we will be submitting a detailed and substantive response to the consultation.

It would also be helpful if UNISON members could send brief, clear responses to the consultation, expressing your opposition to the proposals, using the online survey below. Not all the questions will apply to all members (as the questions cover all parts of education), but you can simply leave those questions blank, and where appropriate, simply say “Disagree”.

Where text boxes are provided, the following suggested text can be used:

I don’t agree that any minimum service levels should apply in any education settings across England, Scotland or Wales. I believe that imposing minimum service levels will do nothing to resolve the problems facing the sector. Education workers have a detailed understanding of the needs of their students and put their interests at the heart of all they do.

Education staff have been on the frontline supporting students and protecting the quality of the education they receive, as schools, colleges and universities have faced thirteen years of deep and sustained funding cuts that have negatively impacted on student learning.

I do not believe that the introduction of MSLs in schools and colleges will benefit or improve the welfare, wellbeing or attainment of vulnerable children and young people. Our members care deeply for these children and have always put their needs first and foremost – they will continue to do so. However, a heavy-handed approach which would, in effect, withdraw the fundamental right to strike for these workers, will do nothing to solve the crisis and will only exacerbate existing staff shortages.

What education services need is all parties – government, employers and unions – working together constructively to focus on the most pressing issues facing our education system. The imposition of MSLs will irresponsibly escalate tensions and worsen industrial relations when Government should be enhancing social partnership and helping to quickly resolve disputes.

The deadline for responses is 30 January, and the consultation can be accessed online here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/minimum-service-levels-msls-in-education

Stars in Our Schools is an annual celebration of school support staff. This year the event took place on Friday 24 November 2023 – but we encourage schools to join in whenever suits them!

It takes a whole team to make a school a safe and happy place for all children. School support staff help children learn, keep them safe and happy and make sure schools run smoothly. They are the caterers, admin staff, finance officers, teaching assistants, librarians, ICT technicians and many more roles.

Schools across the UK will plan a range of activities including coffee mornings, tea parties and special assemblies to say thank you to support staff.

This celebration day is for everyone to get involved: parents, carers, teachers, head teachers, as well as the support staff themselves.

YOU’RE A HIDDEN HERO!

This year, Nick Peacock was nominated for a Hidden Hero award. Nick is the Facilities Manager at Millside Spencer Academy, and was nominated by his colleagues for all his hard work in furnishing, building and maintaining not just 1 but 2 schools.

Over the course of the year, Nick put his hand to anything the teaching staff asked of him, working hard to turn the temporary buildings at Millside Spencer Academy into a learning village for the start of the school year.

He built a forest school area for the children to thrive in, made all the furniture for the classrooms and offices, and much more! He is also on the playground greeting the children every morning.

Here are some photos from the award ceremony:

Nick Peacock (centre) with the colleagues who nominated him

Nick Peacock receiving his award

Nick Peacock, Hidden Hero at Millside Spencer Academy

The staff at Millside Spencer Academy 2023

Unison in Schools – Newsletter Sept 2023

REGIONAL SCHOOLS FORUM

We are currently inviting school reps, stewards, school ULRs and Health and Safety reps/stewards to the Regional Schools Forum meetings and also share/updated information with them via emails.

If you could send your name/email address to Carol Johnson c.johnson@unison.co.uk and she will make sure that you are added to the list.