There is a vast range of legislation on health and safety matters which applies in whole, or in part, to schools in Wales. This briefing identifies those which will be most relevant and the areas which they cover.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NEU Cymru's evidence to the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB) asked for a 7% pay award for all teachers, and sadly this does not fully do that. We will continue to argue for this.
NEU Cymru welcomes the Education Minister’s commitment in providing much needed additional funding for universities, colleges and students in response to the economic impact of the coronavirus.
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.
Our members have always welcomed the principles behind the new Curriculum. It is an opportunity for Wales to ensure that children have an opportunity to learn a curriculum with wellbeing at its heart.
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.
NEU Cymru have written to the Minister for Education, Welsh Government to express deep concerns about the injustices and racial disparities that have been highlighted by the virus and by the horrific events of brutality against black people in the United States.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Free school meals over the Easter period is going to be useful for those families. We know that Welsh Government has put extra money into this, and it is welcome.
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.
We welcome the Education Minister’s announcement to close schools from Friday. We are pleased that Wales is the first UK nation to take this practical and pragmatic approach.
Our members do not believe it is right for any child to miss out on these important areas of learning, and support the Minister's plan to discontinue the parental right to withdraw their children from RE and RSE.
The new Curriculum is a huge step change for education here in Wales, but more detail is clearly needed on the Progression Steps and assessment arrangements.
Years of underfunding have seen the post 16 sector in Wales suffer from restructuring. It is sad to hear members’ experiences which suggest they are not valued.”
Wales’s largest education union has concerns over the continued and growing use of teaching assistants, including Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) and cover supervisors being used to teach classes both on a long- and short-term basis.
The National Education Union Cymru also feels that there can be no real progress in reducing teacher workload until the high level of teacher accountability is dropped.
The cutting back of teaching assistants and teachers in many schools have exacerbated workload issues which has led to a marked increase in stress and mental health issues in teachers.
The National Education Union Cymru is also concerned that Welsh MPs, and the Secretary of State for Wales in particular, don’t see it as their job to approach Westminster to ask for more money for Education in Wales.
The level of violence and abusive behaviour against our members is an issue. Aggressive behaviour, including physical attacks and verbal abuse towards school staff and leaders occur across Wales and the causes of this needs to be addressed.
Wales’s largest education union believes that there is not enough evidence of Regional Consortia having a positive impact on schools in terms of improving standards for pupils.
Wales’ largest education union has called on the office of the Secretary of State for Wales to publish proposals for rectifying the harm that has been inflicted upon Wales, its public services and education in particular as a result of the Conservatives’ austerity programme.
The National Education Union Cymru will launch the ‘Making News Toolkit for Schools’ online resource to its members at their Annual Conference in Newport on 9 November.
David Evans, Wales Secretary of the National Education Union Cymru has commented on the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body First Report 2019 and the proposals from Minister for Education Kirsty Williams published today.
Speaking about the sudden closure of Godre'r Graig School, following risk of landslides last week, David Evans, Wales Secretary of the National Education Union, who represents many members in the school, said:
Wales’s largest education union has responded to the National Assembly’s Children, Young People and Education Committee Report into School funding in Wales.
Speaking ahead of the Education Minister's statement on Adult Learners' Week, David Evans, Wales secretary NEU Cymru, said: "We need to value our adult learners and make sure the FE and adult learning sectors are properly planned for and funded."
Welcoming the Education Minister's statement today, David Evans, Wales secretary NEU Cymru said: "Workload is an extremely important issue to education professionals here in Wales and it is welcome that the Minister has committed to looking at this."
Reacting to the debate on "Tackling Poverty" in the Assembly yesterday, David Evans, Wales secretary NEU Cymru said: "NEU Cymru members are clear - tackling poverty is a critical issue for education professionals in Wales, and key to improving schools and colleges for learners"
David Evans, secretary NEU Cymru comments on today’s decision by First Minister Mark Drakeford to scrap plans to build the £1.4bn M4 relief road around Newport, Wales.
Commenting on Child Poverty figures released today, David Evans, Wales Secretary for the National Education Union said: "Rates of poverty in Wales have risen when compared to other parts of the UK is shocking - but it is not a shock."
Commenting on Conservative plans to scrap the Welsh Bacc, David Evans, Wales Secretary for National Education Union Cymru, said: "We are broadly supportive of the Welsh Bacc, but believe it has had some problems which mean it has less value than originally intended."
A recent Freedom of Information Request to local authorities by NEU Cymru has shown that almost £114 million has been spent on staff from private supply teacher agencies in the three academic years to August 2018.
Speaking ahead of the Plaid Cymru debate on workers’ rights, NEU Cymru’s Wales Secretary David Evans said: “We would welcome a 'collective bargaining' approach to School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions negotiations here in Wales.
Commenting on the passing of Motion 18 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“We are entering unchartered waters in Wales following the devolution of pay and conditions for school teachers in September 2018.
Responding to a Welsh Government statement on a report by Professor Mick Waters, Teaching: A valued profession, David Evans, Wales Secretary for the NEU Cymru said:
National Education Union Cymru, notes Education Minister Kirsty Williams' commitment to lifelong learning, during Education Minister's Questions today.
David Evans, Wales Secretary of the National Education Union Cymru, welcomes Education Minister's reiteration that wellbeing of staff is as important as wellbeing of learners, during Education Minister's questions today.
David Evans, Secretary of NEU Cymru Wales, notes that this year's results of the Categorisation system in Wales show that schools in Wales remain 'stable', in terms of their "improvement" category.
Pay and conditions for supply teachers is an emotive issue for our members. New Framework Agreement is welcomed but a return to direct employment of supply teachers is needed.
This course is aimed at workplace reps or anyone interested in becoming a workplace rep within Torfaen and will help you to develop the skills and confidence to support and represent members in a range of situations.
