The NI Executive has announced that schools and other education settings will have the half-term holiday break extended from 19 to 30 October, reopening on Monday 2 November.
This guidance has been developed for education settings, to support a safe reopening of schools in line with the Northern Ireland Executive’s “Coronavirus Executive Approach to Decision-Making” published on 12 May 2020.
A guide for SENCOs and school leaders to the questions for mainstream schools on SEND students and arrangements for their safe return to school in the Autumn term.
This guidance sets out the steps members can take to ensure that parents and carers are not disadvantaged during the Covid-19 crisis by their childcare responsibilities.
The National Education Union councillors’ network thanks Marcus Rashford for speaking out about his family’s personal experiences and is calling on the Government to fully fund a summer holiday offer for learners.
Despite the uncertainty, there are opportunities- and practical reasons- why we need creativity and flexibility in our approach to the curriculum during coronavirus.
Summer 2020 provide LAs an opportunity to respond to the experiences of children and young people during lockdown, offered as a minimum to disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people, to support their well-being and health this summer.
This NEU survey of supply worker members on employment during the COVID-19 crisis opened on 24 April, receiving 1,966 responses. Most responses were received by 28 April, although responses continued to arrive until 14 May.
NEU legal advice if your school announces that it is open or planning to reopen for more pupils and asks staff to return to work at school before the lock down is lifted.
The NEU Hardship Fund has been established to provide financial assistance to members facing financial difficulties as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
To help families get the information they need, the NEU has created a series of posters designed to be personalised for your school/college and emailed out to parents, carers, staff and students.
Join Andrew Morris, assistant general secretary and Jayne Phillips, head of legal services for a telephone town hall conference call for supply members at 3.00pm on Monday, 30 March.
The NEU is working to help ensure the health and safety of our members, their families and our schools as we continue to face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As winter approaches, staff and students will be spending more time indoors. Ventilating indoor work areas, whilst at the same time ensuring a comfortable working temperature, will become more and more challenging.
As we move towards another, short, school lockdown, you may be aware of widespread concerns amongst teachers across the schools’ system about live streamed teaching.
This advice supports professional discussions and negotiations in school about developing a blended learning offer for students in your school or college.
NEU position remains that the coming together of large groups of adults in schools, for example staff meetings, parent meetings, open days, should be suspended.
In any normal year there can be great anxiety for students, parents, carers and education staff in and around results day. This year will be no different but will have the added complexity of the extraordinary situation for awarding grades, appeals and entries into the autumn series.
The following checklist will help you to assess, in discussion with the member, whether it is safe for a physical meeting to go ahead, and if not, whether a remote, digital, meeting is appropriate.
This National Education Union (NEU) checklist for supply members gives advice on work via supply agencies or directly with schools and colleges from 1 September onwards.
We know that supply educators have experienced real difficulties since lockdown began in March. Those difficulties continue even with schools and colleges open.
Ten points on the wearing of face coverings to reduce the risk of transmission and on circumstances where medical masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) may be appropriate.
Some schools plan to continue with academy conversion during the COVID-19 crisis. This is despite the current lockdown meaning schools are closed to most pupils.
Although most NEU members will be have been back in school/college from September, some will be working from home, either because an individual risk assessment deems it necessary or because of a local lockdown.
Our major priority, during this awful crisis, is the health and safety of our members who are continuing to go to work to care for vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers.
The NEU is committed to helping you ensure safety in the workplace for all staff and students in schools and colleges during this very challenging time.
As teachers and staff take a well-earned extended break at Halloween, Mark Langhammer, Northern Ireland regional secretary reflects on the ‘school restart’.
Mark Langhammer, Northern Ireland regional secretary's blog on social distancing, hiring more teachers, a 1 to 10 ratio, secondary spikes and a cautionary note from Azerbaijan.
How has Northern Ireland’s economy coped with lockdown, and how might the workplace change as we gradually emerge? By Mark Langhammer, Northern Ireland regional secretary.
Week of 30 March, Professor Scally published important articles in the Irish Times and Irish News which were widely read and debated, and get to the heart of the UK Government’s approach to the Covid-19 crisis. Prof. Scally’s article is reproduced here in full, without the need for further comment.
Teachers require an assurance that the results of key stage 2 tests in 2021, which cannot possibly be a measure of the quality of a school, will not be used as a measure of accountability.
The Westminster Government’s slow decision-making process on secondary exams and qualifications is better than nothing, but far less helpful than it could have been if it had been made sooner.
We are deeply concerned by the results of the REACT-1 coronavirus survey which show that over the lockdown coronavirus has continued to increase amongst school age children
The Office for National Statistics' latest infection survey shows that secondary-age pupils now have the highest rate of infection of any age group and, whilst it has fallen a little as a result of the half-term holiday, it is likely to carry on increasing.
The National Education Union agrees with the Education Select Committee’s conclusion that exams for 2021 must take account of the differential impacts of access to education across the country.
The National Education Union has urged the Minister of Education to “let go” of GCSEs as a means of coping with the pandemic and as a way of de-stressing schools from relentless and obsessive testing, tracking, monitoring and assessment.
With high numbers of pupils and staff having to isolate as a result of Covid cases in their school, Govt decisions are doubling the difficulties faced by disadvantaged children and young people.
The latest figures on school absence add to an ever-more compelling argument that Government needs to be vastly more assertive in its efforts to futureproof schools against the effects of Covid outbreaks.
Five education organisations, representing school leaders, teachers, and governors, have submitted a set of joint proposals to make next summer’s A-levels and GCSEs as fair as possible amidst the ongoing disruption of the Covid pandemic.
The Government’s inability to provide what schools need to ensure they remain open for as long as possible is unacceptable and will affect not only children's education, but the wellbeing of staff and students.
If the Government is serious about ensuring all pupils receive access to a good quality, equitable education they must put their money where their mouth is and put measures in place to lift pupils out of the grip of poverty and disadvantage.
We commend the students and staff who have supported them this year. They have shown great patience throughout the challenges of lockdown and last week's shambolic uncertainty.
The Joint General Secretaries of the National Education Union have written to Gavin Williamson the Education Secretary, setting out why the disastrous handling of this year’s exam results must never happen again.
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.
The politics of results season 2020 has drowned out the most important point - that students must be congratulated for their hard work and patience through a difficult time for the whole nation.
NEU Cymru are extremely pleased to see that Welsh Government will be using extra money to support local authorities and local bus operators, including extra money for school and college transport.
Today's confirmation of business as normal for the content of most subjects next year makes insufficient allowance for the disruption this year and allows no contingency for any further disruption as a result of local or regional lockdowns.
The NEU has raised concerns with Government in relation to the wearing of face coverings in schools, and its lack of consistency with guidance on other public places.
Results from this year's extraordinary exams process are broadly comparable to previous years’ results, and the majority of students will not be disadvantaged by this year's process.
Ambitious proposals to regenerate the further education sector are welcome. The devil of course will be in the detail and we will need to see what is in the White Paper in September.
NEU Cymru welcomes an increase to the workforce. We believe that supply staff and those new to the profession will welcome the opportunity to provide extra support for those pupils who need it at this challenging time.
School leaders need clear guidance based on scientific evidence, but instead they are confronted by a Government which is rushing through ideas that seem more based on hope than on science.
Advice from the Department of Education, Northern Ireland guidance on School Restart Programme, including responses to the questions asked by NEU members at the recent Zoom meeting.
NEU Cymru have written to the Minister for Education, Welsh Government calling for local authorities to be funded to make a summer holiday local offer available to children and young people.
Today’s data show the proportion of pupils in class sizes of 31+ now stands at 13.4% across primary and secondary. This accounts for almost 1 million children, a shocking figure.
Leaks of proposals for school re-opening in September are not helpful. Schools and parents need to see from Government a clearly thought-out plan outlining the scientific reasoning behind a return for all pupils.
A joint letter of agreement has been agreed and issued further to the announcement confirming that as a consequence of the current exceptional circumstances, the start of the academic year 20/21 will be from week commencing 17 August 2020.
The Prime Minister's hopes are not enough. He needs a plan for more teachers, to ask teachers who have left the profession to return, and he needs to be finding extra spaces in which they can teach smaller groups.
The NFER report shows that a quarter of pupils have limited access to IT at home. Gavin Williamson confirmed in the Commons last week that only around half of requests for the Government’s free laptop scheme for disadvantaged students have so far been met.
The figures released show what a very long way the Government has to go to convince the nation’s parents and teachers that a wider opening of schools is safe.
The government’s social distancing rules made it impossible for primary schools to admit all pupils before the summer holidays. Primary schools and secondary schools will not re-open to all pupils until September at the earliest.
The NEU calls on the Government and Public Health England to develop urgent advice on the issues of greater health risk identified in the Fenton Review.
It is deeply alarming that in an already parlous situation, this report forecasts that an enormous number of children will be thrown into poverty by Christmas.
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.
Respondents to a survey conducted by the National Education Union between 31 May and 1 June, reveals the pragmatism of schools when asked to open more widely under easing of lockdown.
The NEU sends its solidarity to the family and friends mourning George Floyd. We condemn the systemic racism that caused George's death and we support the urgent demands for justice for George Floyd, for his family and his community.
Today, two months since lockdown was introduced, the Government has finally granted access to some of the scientific modelling behind its proposal for schools to open more widely from June 1.
Independent SAGE set two crucial conditions for the safe wider opening of schools: low levels of Coronavirus in the community, and a robust track and trace system.
NEU Cymru welcomes no date set for opening schools in Wales. Like everyone, we want learners to be back in their classrooms. But not until it is safe to do so.
We are pleased that Sir Patrick Vallance, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government on Covid-19 has told the NEU that information and papers from SAGE would be published and that they will prioritise its release.
It's really important that we are absolutely clear what the level of safety is and if it remains the case that we believe it to be unsafe, we will not back the wider opening of schools.
These studies raise real concerns about the impact that a wider re-opening of schools would have on the rate of Covid 19 transmission and its incidence in families.
On the eve of Sage meeting at which lockdown measures will be reviewed, NEU petition demanding schools re-open only when safe to do so nears 350,000 signatures.
As the Public Accounts Committee report makes clear, the Government approach on support has let SEND children down. Covid-19 means we have to put children's learning needs and interests at the heart of the offer in the classroom.
The General Secretaries of 10 teacher trade unions across the UK and Ireland have written to the Education Ministers in all 5 jurisdictions urging “significant caution in any consideration of reopening schools.
NEU has launched 5 tests for Government before schools can re-open. We believe that these test must be capable of being passed in order to create the necessary confidence amongst parents and staff.
We were relieved to hear confirmation from the Education Secretary that schools and colleges will not be returning during the summer holidays. Lockdown is not a holiday.
For our members, parents and learners themselves, staying safe at this difficult time is critical. We look forward to hearing more details from the Welsh Government in the coming weeks.
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.
NEU joint general secretaries have written to the education secretary Gavin Williamson about issues affecting supply staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.
NEU welcomes Government's announcement that practical steps will be taken to test school staff for Covid-19. It is essential that staff who are self-isolating at home get immediate access to the test.
NEU Cymru welcomes the Welsh Government’s revised guidance today. Our members will be heartened to see that the Welsh Government is thinking about those children most in need of support.
Some pupils will need much more individual support than is possible, and many will need support for their wellbeing before any meaningful learning can take place.
We're pleased the Education Minister has focused on wellbeing in launching this policy statement. Like the Minister says, the wellbeing and safety of learners and education professionals alike is centrally important at this difficult time.
Extra £1.25 million for school counselling services will be invaluable to support the anticipated increase in need for mental health services as a result of social distancing and school shut down measures.
In the light of speculation on the re-opening of schools and colleges, the joint General Secretaries of the National Education Union have called on the Prime minister for clarity on how the Government will make such a decision.
NEU Cymru welcomes the Welsh Government plans to ensure social distancing in the workplace. These are challenging times, and it is right that we try and keep those in work as safe as possible.
The UCL review indicates that school closures are effective as part of a combination of tactics. Schools can only open safely on the basis of sound scientific reasoning. We are a long way from this point.
In a time of crisis it is welcome that the BBC is not just informing and entertaining, but remembering the other part of their original mission statement: to educate.
We are pleased that the Department for Education and Ofqual both recognise the professionalism of teachers. Exams are not the only way to assess someone’s ability.
Today four education unions, NEU, ASCL, NAHT and UCAC have issued joint coronavirus advice to their members calling for mutual respect, understanding and support.
During this time of crisis school leaders, teachers and support staff are doing essential work – caring for the children of key workers and vulnerable children in Wales.
The NEU guidance on distance learning out today makes very clear what should be acceptable levels of workload. Normal education is currently suspended, and teachers should not be teaching a full timetable, or routinely marking work.
The Covid-19 crisis means that school leaders, teachers and support staff are working in new situations and new ways in order to meet the challenges they face every day.
Supply teachers, agency teaching assistants and others working in the education sector must have proper financial stability, on a genuine like-for-like with their directly-employed counterparts.
We know many of our members will be worried, so need strong and clear advice to schools, to back up the head teachers, who are having to choose which young people can be in schools.
Our priority as a union is to our members and the children and young people they work with. We are concerned that Government advice for schools is not currently strong enough.
Schools should only remain open to those whose parents are key workers. The vast majority of children should stay at home. This is the safest place for them.
Introductory webcast of 4 by NEU/NASEN (National Association for Special Educational Needs) in a series of webinars looking at small group interventions.
This 90-minute webinar will look at elements of psychological resilience and how you can find your confidence through key resilience attributes as identified in significant global research.
The Covid19 lockdown will have unique psychological impacts on children and young people as they deal with disrupted routines, loss of personal agency and disconnection from family, friends and favourite activities.
