Education
National news

Time to stop homophobic bullying

(04/07/08) Unions call for LGBT equality education in schools

Final pay offer for further education workers

(23/06/08) Association of Colleges (AoC) makes an improved pay offer of 3.2%, or £550 - whichever is higher - from 1 October 2008.

Members speak up for public services

(09/06/08) MPs hear call for pay justice
News list >

How we organise
UNISON members working in schools and education departments organise within local government branches. Any workplace issues or problems should be raised with the UNISON representative in the school or department (if there is one) or by contacting the UNISON branch at the local authority.

Most staff working in schools and local authority education departments are on local government pay and conditions. You can get more information on conditions in individual local authorities and schools from your local UNISON branch office.

UNISON works at regional level through regional officers who support branches.

Schools

UNISON is the largest trade union for staff in schools and local authority education departments.

Our members include teaching assistants, nursery staff, administrators, secretaries, policy officers, technicians, cleaners, caretakers, school meals workers - in fact anyone working in schools or supporting education.

UNISON is campaigning to make sure the vital contribution these staff make to schools and education is recognised and rewarded by calling for:

  • Better pay and conditions
  • Improved career structures
  • Access to training and development
  • Fair treatment for term-time, part-time and temporary staff
  • High quality, well-resourced education services accountable to the local community

What we are doing now

School Newsletter Special Strike Edition

(07/07/2008) Please find attached the school newsletter which includes a FAQ on taking strike action and a section for Connexions/Careers members.

Click here to download the newsletter
Link to a document on this siteSchool Newsletter Strike Edition

Click here for other strike documents http://www.unison.org.uk/paymatters/docs_list.asp

Teaching assistant controls urged

(19/06/2008) Please click onto this link below - Unison says assistants are being used for cheap teaching across the UK

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7462691.stm

National Awards for School Support Staff 2008

(29/04/08) Branches are encouraged to participate in the national awards for school support staff - launched in 2005 to recognise the valuable contribution these workers make.

School Support Staff Seminar 13th May 2008

(13/03/2008) This circular informs branches that the School Support Staff Seminar will be on 13th May 2008. The closing date for registration is 25th April 2008.
Link to a document on this siteSchool Support Staff Seminar

School Remodelling News

(13/3/2008) UPDATING LOCAL SOCIAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR SCHOOL REMODELLING
Link to a document on this siteSchool Remodelling Seminar

UNISON's New Support Staff Little Pocket Book

UNISON’s new Support Staff LittlePocket Book 2008 is available to new and existing members from your local branch now.

School Remodelling Survival Guide (Updated)

The updated version of the 2005 guide which outlines the dos and don'ts for classroom based support staff in schools. Download from The Documents section of this page.

UNISON Schools Newsletter Winter 2008 Now Available

The new UNISON in Schools Newsletter has now been sent to all schools in England and Wales.

School Remodelling - NEW SURVEY

(27/11/2007) UNISON commissioned the Labour Research Department (LRD) to do a survey on the impact of school remodelling on support staff. They have produced an extensive report on roles, deployment, pay and training.

Union wins new pay body

(27/09/07) A new negotiating body for school support staff in England will be in place by September next year, to develop a national pay and grading structure for school staff which reflects the key roles they play across all schools.

National Pay and Grading for Schools Staff get Ministerial Lift Off

(24/05/2007) Work to begin developing a national pay and grading structure for professional and support staff in schools in England has been welcomed by UNISON, the UK’s largest school staff union. The announcement was made today by Schools minister Jim Knight MP.

Trust School Pilots

(25/10/06) The Government has named the first schools which will take part in trials of “Trust Schools”.

Secondary School Competitions

(9/09/06) From 1 September 2006 new regulations come into effect that requires all local authorities to hold a competition to establish any new secondary schools.

UNISON advice on streamlined route to become a Foundation school

(26/07/2006) New regulations allow community and voluntary controlled schools a streamlined route to change category to foundation status. Foundation schools own their own assets, are the direct employers of staff and are their own admission authorities (within the Code of Practice). Schools that transfer from the Local Authority to the Board of Governors (i.e. become Foundation schools) are subject to TUPE.

Tackling Homophobic Bullying in Schools

(11/07/06) This bulletin provides information on two initiatives by Stonewall to tackle homophobic bullying in schools – one is a postcard campaign and the other is a DVD.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and Schools

(10/07/06) The attached circular provides information on the DDA and its implications for schools. It also provides information on links for further advice.

Building Schools for the Future

(2/02/06) Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a government programme aiming to rebuild and renew every secondary school in England with an initial capital investment of £2.2 billion from 2005/6.

Real danger in education proposals

(26/10/05) UNISON voices serious concerns over the major shake-up in schools.

UNISON calls for an end to contracting out school meals

(03/10/05) A new UNISON report, School meals, markets and quality, warns that contracting-out and the private finance initiative have led to a decline in the school meals service.

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CONTACT DETAILS
• For urgent help and advice at work to go Help at Work.
• UNISON's education workforce unit is managed by Christina McAnea.
UNISON Education workforce
1 Mabledon Place
London WC1H 9AJ
Email: education@unison.co.uk

Pay matters

A fair deal for public service workers

Documents: schools

UNISON in Schools newsletter: Strike special

UNISON members in local government, including schools, are taking strike action on 16 & 17 July. Newsletter includes a FAQ section.
Link to a PDF document on this siteUNISON in Schools newsletter: Strike special

UNISON in Schools Newsletter Summer 2008

The newsletter from UNISON for members working in schools. To order further copies please e-mail stockorders@unison.co.uk and quote stock order number 2166.
Link to a PDF document on this siteUNISON in Schools Newsletter Summer 2008

Skills4schools e-newsletter Winter 2008

(14/02/2008) e-NEWSLETTER for support staff in schools (Winter 2008) brought to you by UNISON and the TDA
Link to a PDF document on this siteSkills4Schools Winter Newsletter 2008

Anti-Academies Alliance reports

(14/02/2008) see attached two new reports from the Anti-Academies Alliance (AAA) which UNISON has supported.

Link to a PDF document on this siteWe pay the piper-they call the tune

Link to a PDF document on this siteCover pages for booklet

Link to a PDF document on this siteReport on the MPs Committee of enquiry and trust schools

Link to a PDF document on this siteReport on the Committee of enquiry into academies and trust schols
All documents >

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