This academic year has seen a great deal of upheaval in terms of education in Herefordshire. The authority has continued to suffer from low funding (currently 149th out of 151 authorities in England), and in addition to this it has had to contend with the austerity programme drawn up by the coalition government, redundancy and an increasing numbers of schools converting to academies.
The 2011 National Conference in April was held in Glasgow. Four members of the executive attended for 4 days over the Easter weekend. There were many topics and motions debated, and Herefordshire contributed to debates. The Treasurer, Peter Hudson, gave a speech outlining the challenges facing supply teachers in the modern educational world, and the President, Neil Jeffery, made a couple of speeches, including tabling an amendment to the National Executive’s motion on education policy, where he successfully managed to include a vote of no confidence on the part of the Union in the education policies of the coalition government.
The one other major event in the year occured on March 26th, when three members of the executive represented Herefordshire in the ‘March Against the Cuts’ , in a march that numbered around 350000 people. It was awe-inspiring to be among so many fellow public-sector workers protesting about the sweeping cuts being made to services in the country.
Part of the NASUWT Contingent at the London March
Please remember, though, that we exist for our members. We will act upon any issues or concerns raised by the rank and file membership of the Association. Do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to discuss anything.
Herefordshire NASUWT 