Coronavirus : Advice for members in Wales
Advice for NEU members in Wales during the coronavirus crisis.
Welsh Government face coverings announcement
NEU Cymru notes face coverings announcement in schools and colleges.
NEU Cymru is Wales’ largest education union. It has a staff of 23, including a full-time solicitor, dealing with the needs of the education workforce. NEU Cymru campaigns to ensure that Welsh Government and local authorities provide the best for education professional and pupils in every educational institution in Wales.
COVID-19 in Wales
Latest news
Pay award 2020
Following a period of consultation after the publication of the IWPRB pay recommendations, the Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams, has announced the pay award for teachers in Wales which will be backdated to the 1 September 2020. We can confirm that the award will see:
- 8.48% uplift to the minimum of the main pay scale.
- 3.75% uplift to the statutory maxima of the MPS.
- 2.75% uplift to the statutory minima and maxima of the UPS.
- 2.75% uplift to the minima and maxima of the leading practitioner range, unqualified teachers pay scale, leadership pay scale and allowances.
- Statutory national pay scales for all pay points on MPS, UPS, unqualified and leadership scales.
- 2.75% uplift across interim pay points of the leading practitioner pay range and teacher allowances.
The Minister’s statement can be accessed here.
A copy of the full pay and conditions document can be accessed here.
Children, Young People and Education Committee
NEU Cymru gave evidence on the Curriculum and Assessment Bill this am – Evidence session 7. NEU Cymru support the general principles of the legislation – to give more autonomy to educators in schools to design and deliver a curriculum for their learners. But more funding and training are needed to make sure that the ambitions of the Bill are realised. See our full response to the Bill.
School Teachers’ Pay: IWPRB’s 2nd Report and Welsh Government Response
NEU Cymru response letter to the Minister for Education in Wales on the IWPRB’s 2nd Report and proposals for implementation of the IWPRB’s recommendations relating to school teacher pay in Wales.
Operational protocol to support the return of staff to Further Education Colleges in Wales
These protocols have been developed by the FE sector in consultation with teaching unions.
Guidance for wider opening of schools
The Welsh Government has published guidance relating to the wider opening of schools in Wales:
- Keep Childcare Safe: Protective measures in pre-school childcare settings
- Keep Education Safe: Operational guidance for schools and settings from the autumn term
- Keep Education Safe: Learning guidance for schools
- Keep Education Safe: Guidance on recommencing face to face further education and work based learning
Education Minister Kirsty Williams to reopen schools to all year groups.
The Minister’s statement in which she has opened schools to all year groups with effect from 29 June does not sit well with NEU Cymru. It is too much, too soon. Read the press release here.
Children's Commission for Wales letter
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales has written a letter in which she has expressed concern regarding the position in England and indicated support to the position being taken in Wales.
Education Minister sets out five key principles for schools’ return
NEU Cymru has welcomed the announcement by the Education Minister, setting out the conditions under which schools in Wales will reopen. The union agrees that the safety of staff and students alike is paramount. Read the press release here.
Education Minister confirms no imminent plans to open schools
NEU Cymru is pleased Education Minister Kirsty Williams AM responded to our letter about schools reopening. She confirmed that safety of staff and students is her priority and she wont be allowing the schools to open up again until the medical professionals say it is safe to do so.
The Minister wrote to NEU members a few weeks ago, read her blog here.
Press release
Press release 
NEU Cymru launches petition calling for exam fairness in 2021
NEU Cymru has today (20th August) launched a petition with the Welsh Parliament, asking for fairness for students taking exams in 2021.
Press release
NEU Cymru comments on GCSE Results
Schools and colleges stepped up in challenging circumstances when exams were cancelled. They have worked tirelessly and professionally to submit grades for their students, based on all the evidence available to them.
Press release
NEU Cymru welcomes use of assessed grades in Wales
NEU Cymru hugely welcomes this decision from the Education Minister.
Press release
A level grades in Wales
NEU Cymru wishes many congratulations to those who have secured expected grades and we trust that the adjustment and appeals processes will be robust enough to deal with all anomalies that may have arisen.
Press release
Announcement on last minute changes to A level grades
NEU Cymru comment on Education Minister's announcement on last minute changes to A level grades
Latest blogs
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Blog 
Coronavirus: Schools are providing a vital service during this time
Kirsty Williams, Education Minister Wales thanks the school community for helping the country in a time of national need.
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Blog 
Coronavirus: Supporting teachers in our national mission towards a new Curriculum for Wales
Kirsty Williams, Minister for Education, Welsh Government cites plans to support teachers to deliver the new Curriculum for Wales.
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Blog 
Wales needs to end child poverty
Around one fifth of children in Wales lives in poverty, the highest percentage of children in the UK.
Advice and guidance
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Advice 
Standards for school premises (Wales)
There is a vast range of legislation on health and safety matters which applies in whole, or in part, to schools in Wales.
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Advice 
Cold weather and classroom temperature (Wales)
Advice on the heating levels in schools and classrooms in Wales, and how to deal with the various types of heating problems which are commonly encountered during cold weather and snow.
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Advice 
Classroom observation protocol in Wales
Guidance on classroom observation protocol in Wales
In your Summer term 2020 edition of Educate in Wales magazine:
- How to tackle racism.
- Tech for half a million pupils.
- Protecting young lungs.
Training in Wales
We will be rescheduling the NEU Cymru Reps training programme as soon as possible for 2021 but in the meantime, we will continue to deliver regular training / briefing sessions for our workplace representatives via Zoom so look out for email notification of these. Thank you for your continued support.
