Author Archives: Stefan Simms

Ealing NEU Banner Design?

Above is almost the final draft version (5th version). I have gone back and forth between the graphic designer and the trade union banner designer/maker. In the process I learnt quite a lot and appreciated their skills.

The changes to the last one I showed you are because:

1. Banners needs a border if image goes up to the edge the stitching will cause the paint to crack.

2. Logo must be bigger, to fiddling to paint as must the font size for Blair Peach.

3. Image of children can’t be too big sadly, as the paint will crack over time.

These points made having “National Education Union” in white at the top look ‘to busy’. Both of them agreed on that so it’s gone.

The lime yellow whilst a NEU official colour doesn’t work on Banners, primary colours much better. Graphic designer said trust banner designer/maker opinion on this. So lime yellow fonts will change to primary yellow.

When I emailed the earlier version to you all, the members that responded all loved it. This improved version is recommended by both the banner designer/maker and the graphic designer

We hope you like this improved version and recommend it to you. It is in keeping with the old NUT banner and personally I love the photo of the children. They are Ealing Children from a Southall primary school. (With appropriate parent/carer permission). Please comment below.

Have a great summer break.

Old Ealing NUT Banner

Reducing Your Workload – Directed Time

Workload is the number one reason why teachers leave the profession. A ‘Directed Time Calendar’ will help reduce it. The school must statutorily consult with the school rep over next year’s ‘Directed Time Calendar’ this term. Not got a school rep, then please contact me.

What is the Directed Time Calendar?

This is the maximum amount of hours per year (1265), spread over 195 days that you must be available for work.

Discussing with your headteacher about next year’s directed time calendar may for example reveal that meetings are longer than they should be or that some things are actually voluntary. This is the first step, an easy step, in the union’s campaign to help you improve your work-life balance.

Most schools in Ealing do publish the directed time calendar and are indeed below the 1265 directed hours. Nonetheless, it is wise in terms of clarity for all that this statutory consultation happens. Already school reps are discovering genuine oversights that will improve the work-life balance for all in their school. The resources below will help you check your directed time calendar; need help then please contact me.

1. Directed Time 2 Min Video Explainer

2. Directed Time FAQs

3. PowerPoint –> DT School Presentation W@W 3.21

4.  Calculate Your School’s Directed Time Using This Excel Spreadsheet. Its easy to use with lots of helpful notes  Improved DT calculator

5. Model letters for Headteacher –> Directed Time Model Letters

AGM Wed June 23 At 6:30 pm

We have a great AGM; whether it is picking up excellent quick and easy ‘wins’ regarding reducing workload or the inspiring accounts from school reps sharing their successes, or the important union perspective on Palestine, then zoom into your AGM.

Finally I hope to be able to introduce you to the new leader of Ealing Council Peter Mason.

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 826 3387 3285
Passcode: 834151

Please have your camera on and identify yourself name and school

Agenda

1. Introductions (2 Mins)
2. AGM March 2019 – Mandy Hudson (2 Mins)
3. Financial Report DISTRICT CASHBOOK 2019-2020 & Ealing Accounts 2019-20 Form 106– Dee Higgins (5 mins)
4. Elected Officers & Ctte 2021-2 – Mandy Hudson (2 Mins)
5. Palestine, Education & Free Expression – Rob Ferguson (15 mins + Discussion/Questions)
6. Reducing Workload – Stefan Simms (10 mins + Questions)
7. Leader of Ealing Council Peter Mason (Invited) (5 Mins)
8. Successful disputes at Leaways Hackney Iain Forsyth Sch’ Rep (5 mins) & Beal Redbridge Sajia Iqbal or Sylvain Savier Sch’ Co-Reps (5 mins)
9. Patrice Unite Rep for Ealing Parking Officers  (5 mins)

Ealing NEU Elections

All Ealing NEU members are able to stand for the following local district officer positions:

Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Vice President, Treasurer, 3 x Equality Officers, Support Staff, Young Educators, Independent & Post 16, (all these roles can be job shared). Plus two scrutineers and a returning officer are needed for the following AGM.

Please note from September 2021 I will be reducing the number of ‘working’ days per week I work from 5 to 4. The proposal is for the Assistant Secretary position to take the remaining day.

In addition, there are local officer positions without portfolio i.e. Committee Members (a minimum of 6 is required). All elected posts are held for one year, except the Vice President who holds office for three years as; Vice President, President & Past President.

All nominations must have a proposer and seconder and be endorsed by the nominee.

If you are interested and/or wish to know more regarding any of these positions then please do contact me. Nominations must be returned to me by May 31st via email and as described above. My email address is stefan.simms@neu.org.uk

A full agenda will be sent by May 31st.

Thanks

Stefan Simms