StokeSBM

ISBL prides itself on being non-partisan, but we can’t remain silent on the urgent need to address insufficient funding. Read our open letter to the PM and Secretary of State, urging them to prioritise education spending in the upcoming Autumn Statement: hubs.li/Q028NY0V0

@JamieGBarry It’s fabulous. We travelled around for a month both times. Samui was our favourite followed by Phi phi. Bangkok for a few days is a must!

Has anyone ever been to Thailand in August? Any tips about places to go/stay etc?

Happy Friday, love the DfE* Leaves schools with budgets tens of thousands of pounds less than they were promised DfE said per pupil funding would rise by 2.7%. It will actually rise by just 1.9% * they’ve known about this since last month schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-made-370m-…

@Nick74367509 We definitely need a city wide approach so happy to have a chat…the more schools that are involved the merrier

@StokeSBM Hi, I work in 3 Stoke Schools, if you want to meet up for a chat let me know

Stoke schools are in a PFI which ends in Oct 25! And that’s it! Little advice or guidance on moving forward and many SBMs have not worked without the safety net of an extortionate PFI contract! Any recommendations for compliance/facilities management providers etc?

@WhiteheadSBM Absolutely - I can’t wait. It’s fear of the unknown I suppose. We also have an amazing site team who are eager to rise to any challenge….

@StokeSBM I can't offer advice about the exit itself, but surely once the process of exit is complete, you'll be in a better place and free of the ridiculous circus that is PFI. You'll have control over your premises and it's infinitely more straightforward. I'd never go back.

Thanks for the advice! I’ll be in touch…

Council and school pay 2023 - email to members - 22/8/23 From 23 May to 4 July UNISON held an industrial action ballot for council and school workers in England and Wales over pay. The results were sent out to regions and branches who have worked hard to share the ballot results with members. As this was a ballot of 345,000 members in more than 4,300 employers, the process of getting results out has been a complicated one, and we want to thank you for your patience throughout.

The support during the ballot and pay campaign from UNISON members across England and Wales has been incredible; the turnout was a huge improvement on the 2021/22 industrial action ballot and that groundswell of feeling will only build as we continue to campaign on pay. Due to the Tory anti-trade union laws, we can only take industrial action in employers where we achieved a turnout of 50% or more (with a majority voting for action) and unfortunately while we passed this turnout threshold in a number of employers, most of these were smaller employers. Given the legal restrictions that are in place from the Government, we have decided that it would not be effective to ask our members to take industrial action at this time.

We are currently in the process of talking to the other local government unions, GMB and Unite, so that we can now resolve this year’s pay dispute and get that pay increase in your pockets as soon as possible.
 
While the decision not to take industrial action may be disappointing to you, we are determined to continue our campaign to improve your pay – we want to get on with the 2024 campaign and build from here to the point where we can get the turnouts we need for strike action. We have come a long way and we would like to thank members, branches and regions for all of your hard work and determination in getting the vote out.

The fight continues and we will keep demanding fair pay for the vital work that you do.

Thank you,

Mike Short
Head of local government

I do not have to set my alarm for 5.30am for the next 42 days! ‘We’re off to sunny Spain, Y viva Espana’ ☀️ Adios 🇪🇸

Today, LGBT+ school leaders, their families, friends and allies join 35,000 other marchers and an expected 1.5 million spectators @PrideInLondon. Look for our #NAHTPride banner if you're there, and give us a wave!

🏳️‍🌈This time next week we'll be celebrating Stoke-on-Trent Pride 🗓️Saturday 24 June 📍@HanleyPark ⏰From 12 noon ➡️Find out more and get involved: stokeontrentpride.org.uk #PrideMonth

⚠️ Four weeks ago @NAHTnews ballot papers started to land on members doormats. The dispute, over 👉pay & funding👉inspection👉workload, 👉recruitment and retention is a fight for the heart and soul of education. Be on the right of history by returning those ballot papers today.

Another year, another Happy Anniversary and still absolutely in love 🥰 Here’s to another fabulous year 😘 #21years #loveislove #husbands #Pride2023

Who cares about School business leaders? @SBS_Updates Comment below:

Shocking new figures show two million children – almost ¼ of the entire school population – are now eligible for Free School Meals, an increase of 40% since before the pandemic. The Government must act to end child poverty #NoChildLeftBehind schoolsweek.co.uk/two-million-ch…

Given how crucially important a SBM is in a school right now (shrinking budgets/finding savings) the pay just isn’t enough to attract the right people. I also feel strangled by the LA working within ancient pay grades. Am I missing something? #headteacherchat #schoolbusiness

The day when @_ClaireRichards from the actual @OfficialSteps wishes you a happy birthday! The best birthday EVER!

Wow! How did 40 happen? I look back at this photo from my 18th in Manchester and remember it like yesterday. Anyway, here’s to another decade #40sclub 🎉 🎂

So I was greeted by these in my office when I walked in today. I won’t lie, they scare me so much every morning - I almost ran away!!

Teaching assistants are among staff being balloted on strike action by Unison over a flat rate £1,925 pay offer tes.com/magazine/news/…