NORFOLK COUNTY DIVISION

NATIONAL UNION OF TEACHERS

Assistant Secretary
Vicky Warnes
/ Joint Secretary
Chrissie Smith
2 Downham Grove
Wymondham
NR18 0SN
07858276935
/ Joint Secretary
Scott Lyons
25 Swan Road
Dereham
NR19 1AG

Draft Secretaries' Report September 2015

Casework: We are getting a steady trickle of requests for advice and sometimes intervention as new regimes are announced at the start of the year and late calendars come out. We've also had casework asking for help with pay progression and flexible working requests.

Young Teachers, Recruitment and Gatherings: We continue to recruit and retain young teachers, mostly down to the social nature of the general meetings which usually take place at lively venues such as Vodka Revolution, where we spend the minimum time on formal business and most of the time sharing experiences and advice. Scott joined Alan, Des and Kendra at the UEA to sign up all the new PGCE students and both he and Chris have helped with the training of SCIT students to make first contact with them. We also rely on School Reps more than ever to welcome any new face into the staffroom and as long as they have QTS or are working towards it, they are being made welcome by the NUT. Teachers in Norfolk, young and old, are turning to the NUT as the Union which gets their problems dealt with fairly, efficiently but most of all with empathy and humanity.

Academies, Small schools, Free Schools and Federations: Mileham School has now closed permanently and Wellney is due to follow shortly. Small schools are being encouraged to federate to make numbers over 105 but preferably over 210. It seems that whatever comes up at an academy consultation, the decision is made before the first bit of information is circulated - prime examples being Hewett, Sewell Park and Sprowston. Some of the chains are beginning to show signs of thinking themselves 'untouchable'.

Facilities' Time: Scott continues to 'chip away' to persuade Chains of the benefits of paying into buying into this particular service. Over 80% have bought in, which is a massive achievement as we could not support members adequately without this release time. Scott has lead the way so admirably that Div Secs from other areas are borrowing and adapting his letters. Perhaps he could be the first Div Sec to win 'Officer of the Year' for a third time!!

The LA: Schools across Norfolk continue to be 'challenged' by the LA's push to have a 'Good School for Every Norfolk Learner' and their N2B&B push. However, the LA(or Whitehall) also seem to be targeting 'coasting schools', which seems to be a catch all for any school which they would like academised!

Redundancies: The Academy Chains still seem to be at the forefront, claiming that they need to economise. Could this be because of the 10% top slicing that is now the norm in some chains. We have the added problem of some chains taking on HR companies that have little knowledge or understanding of STP&C and who haven't even heard of the Burgundy Book!

Officers: Vicky has begun by taking on the website, building rep density and following up member's enquiries; building up to shadowing a couple of cases as we take on new work. We also currently have Mike on one union day per week, the plan being to have him as the wise adviser but circumstances keep him somewhat busier than planned as he continues to take on casework!

Chrissie, Scott, Vicky (and Mike)