Liverpool Conference Report 2010

"Standing up for education for a fairer future"

The level of agreement and consensus was again a strong feature of this year's conference. Sensible positions were adopted on a range of issues, focusing largely on teacher conditions of service and preparing to protect schools and, therefore, children from the threats likely to follow the election. These are policies that we believe the vast majority of teachers in Cumbria would support. It was good to see the Union leading on classroom issues, the curriculum and professional development. Sadly these issues seemed to get very little coverage in the media who, in the main, referred to calls for strike action which were never actually debated!

SATs Boycott

We heard from Michael Rosen, Alan Gibbons and Mick Brookes (General Secretary of the NAHT) who were unanimous in their support for the call for a boycott against Key Stage 2 SATs, which are now only carried out in England. It was refreshing to hear how this collaboration has proposed a clear alternative, accepts the wide range of beliefs of our leadership and was clear that last year's call for unified action has resulted in action. It was sad to hear that some Unions feel that taking a principled stand against SATs was seen as "pointless"!

Policy Development

There were passionate sound-bites from some elements on important wider issues, but these were not as radical as the press often portray. Everyone did agree on key issues and the only issues that were seriously debated related to tactics not principles. We agreed some really important educational policy statements relating to:

  • SATs, Assessment & League Tables
  • Workload
  • Teacher Mental Health - the impact of Leadership and Management
  • The GTC Code of Practice
  • The Licence to Practice
  • Supply Teachers
  • Workload and Stress*
  • Independent Safeguarding Authority*
  • Asbestos
  • Ofsted
  • Academy, Trust and "Free" Schools
  • Discrimination & Harassment
  • Disabled Teachers
  • Challenging Homo & Transphobia
  • Fighting Racism and Fascism
  • Protecting & Defending our Pensions
  • The Economic Crisis
  • Tackling Climate Change
  • Young Teachers
  • Reading for Pleasure
  • Early Years
  • The future of 14-19 Qualifications
  • Special Schools

Cumbria NUT has a growing reputation as an effective and active organisation and this year we heard two Cumbrian delegates speak on Workload and issues with the ISA* - due to become active from this term. We heard how some members in Cumbria have already been affected and supported by local NUT officers. Cumbria NUT works hard and has a strong reputation within the Union. Our reception was again a great success with a live band and an excellent atmosphere. The collection raised £276.79 for Mountain Rescue (the President's Charity).

To find out more about any of the above please come along to any of the next local association meetings.

General Secretary's Address

Christine Blower's closing remarks covered many of these issues and is available on the NUT website - www.teachers.org.uk Alan Rutter, Chris Brooksbank, Allyson Ingall, Mike Charlton, Jonathan Whitwell, Lucy Hillbeck, Angie Leonard, Paul Parkinson, & Richard Wilson.
As a Division, Cumbria continues to make an impact and seek a lively social scene to balance the serious business. If you want to know any more; have any ideas for motions for next year in Manchester; or would like to go to Conference but can't get to any of our association meetings contact any of us through our schools or association secretaries or website.

Click HERE for a picture of your delegates at Conference