The NASUWT teaching union is putting in place “alternative arrangements” to hold its annual conference online, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

There has been uncertainty hanging over the plans for the annual event held by England’s second-largest teaching union, which was due to be held over the Easter weekend at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham.

Now Tes has learned that the union is planning to stage an online version of the conference.

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A union spokesperson said tech experts were currently exploring how best to utilise web technology to ensure alternative arrangements went ahead.

Acting general secretary Chris Keates said: “The NASUWT has, over a number of weeks, reviewed and revised the arrangements for its annual conference to ensure that we continue to meet our obligations whilst also protecting the health and safety of our members and staff.

“We are unable to host the annual conference at the ICC, Birmingham, as planned. However, the union has put in place alternative arrangements to ensure that we can continue to meet our statutory and constitutional obligations.”

Statutory obligations include passing on the annual report to members and handing over the role of general secretary from the union’s outgoing leader Chris Keates to incoming leader Patrick Roach.

A member, who did not wish to be named, said it was understood the conference would be held via the union’s virtual conference facilities.