Minutes of the General Meeting held on 27th February, 2007  

Apologies : Mary Compton, John Howarth, James Dean, Deane Naryan Lee, Chris Cheetham, Paul MacDougal, Paul Sowden, Kath Lyttle.

Minutes 5th December : Agreed as true record.

Matters arising :

Anti Racist Project 2 proposals have been received so far:-

• Proposal from Josie Hervey, community cohesion project between Buttershaw and Grange - £700, taking pupils on a residential course.

• Tong – proposal from a non NUT assistant head. Anti racism training, part of sports initiative - £1,000.

Equal Opportunity Committee to award both projects this year and award next one after 2 years, if projects are viable and relevant.

£5,000 for donation to linking schools project will be secured from the National Union – Agreed.

Correspondence

• Sat March 10th – Bolton Community College Conference. To send delegates – Denis White and others.

• ‘ Good Local School for Every Child’ Conference, London.

• ‘Young Teachers’ Conference, weekend 2nd – 4th March.

• ‘United Campaign to repeal Anti Trade Union Laws’ Rally – Proposed to affiliate – Agreed.

• Retirement of Malcolm Anderson. Request for donations towards leaving party. £150 – Agreed

• NUT Survey of EMAG teachers.

Reports and Discussions

Globalisation in Education

Mary Compton to be invited to a future meeting.

Trust Schools

Challenge College is to consider becoming a Trust School. The Government wants to remove schools from being the asset of the community they serve and place them into the ownership of individuals. Through Trust Status a group of people, or a company or a religious organisation can be given the rights to make decisions about its running by the Governing Body voting to award this status. Employees are employed by LEA currently who would have large bite for any redundancies. Can set its own admission arrangements so planning services coherently become difficult for the LEA.

A selective competitive system will be created.

No parental vote is necessary.

Concerns raised about moves by Laisterdyke to change its admissions.

Officers to contact teachers and Governors explaining NUT position. Agreed.

Education, Jobs and Issues for Bradford

• Many recent changes have taken place in Bradford Education leadership roles.
  Colin Gill – Chair Education Committee.
  John McCloud – replaced Phil Green temporarily.
  Met us to discuss various issues.
  
• Academies – Marmaduke Picthall Academy does not have support of council or SERCO despite its claims on its website. (Jane & Ian)
  
• Funding - LEA OFSTED in 2000 said Bradford was underspending on Education. £9 million gap between Bradford and statistical neighbours. CG + JM undertook to look at funding. (Jane & Ian)
  
• SERCO contract – 6 years into the 10 year run. This unique position has led to problems over lack of leadership. (Jane & Ian)
  
• Stress Risk Assessments (Miriam)
  Now have a process and requirement on heads to conduct stress risk assessments. Primary heads have been trained.
  
• Next meeting Holiday Inn 20th March. John Illingworth – Teacher Mental Ill Health.
  
• Training for NUT Reps – 2 sessions to be held.
  
• National Young Teachers Conference
  
• Voting in elections:-
  - John Howarth in National Disciplinary Committee.
  - James Dean – National Young Teachers Committee
  
• National Executive Report – Iraqi teachers union.

Annual Conference Motion Amendments

Motion 11 (False Allegations)

“ “ 13 (Planning)

“ “ 23 (BSF & Academies)

“ “ 24 (Climate Change)

“ “ 30 (Racism)

“ “ 35 (PRP)

Agreed to submit all 6 amendments.

A.O.B.