Schools sign up to ground-breaking UNISON agreement

Three Catholic Multi-Academy Trusts with schools across the East Midlands have signed UNISON’s Learning Charter which commits them to support the learning needs of their staff. St Thomas Aquinas, Saint Ralph Sherwin, and Our Lady of Lourdes, who are part of the Nottingham Catholic Diocese, have committed to work in partnership with UNISON East Midlands […]

Closure of Ashgate Nursery School a foregone conclusion

Plans by Derby City Council to close Ashgate Nursery School could be one step closer to becoming a reality this Wednesday, as councillors get their say. An overwhelming number of residents and families voiced their opposition to the council’s proposals during the 7-week consultation period. Over 91% of respondents strongly opposed Ashgate’s planned closure in […]

January schools advice

This advice applies to all primary schools, special schools, SEND and early years settings in England. In UNISON’s view, it is unsafe for you to attend the workplace at present if your school is fully opened to all pupils. Visit the national website on the link below for the full information; January Schools Advice

Launch of Schools Checklist for September

UNISON, along with some of the other unions in schools, has produced a checklist covering all school settings, including special schools. It’ll help school staff and reps have discussions with school leaders about their plans for safe reopening, and assist them in completing a thorough risk assessment that addresses the issues that concern you. 👇 Schools […]

Staffing, safety and vulnerable children must be priority for schools’ return

Responding to plans published today (Thursday) by the government for the full return of schools from September, UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: “Everyone wants all children to return to the classroom as soon as possible. There are still issues, though, around staffing and safety. “Test and trace must get a whole lot better for social […]

UNISON’s Campaign for Safety Reps in Schools Gets off to Flying Start

UNISON’s campaign for union safety representatives in schools has got off to a great start.  School support staff members and local UNISON contacts have begun actively finding out about the union safety rep role.  Within a couple of hours of the launch a teaching assistant in Nottingham, had come forward as a safety rep. Louisa Wass-Griffiths, UNISON […]

Academy chain failing to protect staff and pupils, say unions

UNISON and GMB make formal complaint about David Ross Education Trust to Health and Safety Executive National academy chain the David Ross Education Trust has failed to consult staff properly on Covid-19 risk planning ahead of a wider reopening of its schools, say UNISON and GMB today (Tuesday). The unions have made a formal complaint […]

Joint union letters issued to all headteachers, MAT CEOs and Local Authorities

UNISON, NEU, GMB and Unite have sent joint letters centrally to all headteachers, MAT CEOs and Local Authorities in England. The purpose of the letters is to show understanding for the predicament they have been put in by the government and to urge them to work with us to only increase pupil numbers when it […]