No to PRU privatisation
Any attempt to privatise pupil referral units could be met with national industrial action from teachers working in the units, following a vote by NUT members this week. Ed Balls, Schools Secretary, said last year he would consult on whether private companies should be allowed to make a profit running the units that educate excluded pupils. Jerry Glazier, NUT executive member and PRU teacher, said: “We do not want privatisation, which will simply put up barriers to partnership working not take them down.”
Pension problem
The NASUWT yesterday warned against the Government “raiding” public service pension schemes to counter the effects of the recession. Speaking at the conference in Bournemouth, Chris Keates, general secretary, said: “The futures of hard-working public servants must not be sacrificed by raiding public service pensions to counter the effects of the recession.”
Push for a pay rise
Low salaries are forcing young teachers out of the profession, the NUT conference in Cardiff heard this week as delegates voted for a 10 per cent pay rise. The union also threatened industrial action against any attempt to reduce the planned 2.3 per cent pay awards in September 2009 and 2010.
A byte of success
TES Connect, The TES’s website, has been nominated for the leading global internet prize, the Webby Awards. The awards recognise excellence online and are awarded by the International Academy of Digital Arts, whose members include Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and creator of The Simpsons Matt Groening. TES Connect has been placed in the employment category and will battle it out against recruitment heavyweights. Winners will be announced on May 5 and handed their award at the Webby Awards ceremony in New York on June 8.
Logged on to e-safety
A new web-based e-learning resource has been released by the National Strategies to help ICT subject teachers learn more about e-safety. This online course helps teachers explore the technical implications of e-safety while delivering the revised ICT national curriculum programme of study. To access the materials visit, http:nationalstrategies. standards.dcsf.gov.uke-safety.
