PRC (Policy, Research and Campaigns) Committee
· Agreed two motions to go to TUC – one on the far right and Artificial Intelligence and one on Climate Change and Extreme Temperatures
· Discussion on results of a survey of members on the new Ofsted framework. Results show more primary school members reporting negative impact than secondary school members (may be because deep dives have gone). Members in schools in areas of high deprivation also reporting negative impact. Leaders are also reporting negative impact. 26% of respondents said they wanted to leave the profession because of Ofsted. Given that the new framework was supposed to be a response to the death of Ruth Perry, the findings are still showing that Ofsted has a negative impact on members.
· Discussion on the curriculum and assessment review which has not recommended any significant changes to the current assessment system.
· Discussion on the Education International report on AI (https://www.ei-ie.org/en/item/32620:teaching-ai-and-the-human-core-of-education-the-future-worth-defending)
General Secretary’s report
· Report on the Snap Poll: 15% turnout. Q1. Is the pay offer acceptable? Yes 37% No 63%, Q2. Would you strike for an improved pay offer? Yes 75% No 25%, Q3. Is it acceptable that schools pay first 1.1% of pay award? Yes 3% No 97%, Q4. Would you strike to ensure pay is fully funded? Yes 89%, No 11%.
· Daniel recommended that October’s ballot question should be about winning full funding for the pay award and to seek maximum unity with other education unions. The paper was discussed at B&N Committee and amended (see below)
· Daniel reported that membership has remained stable despite 39,000 teachers leaving the profession in 2025.
· Since September we have gained 2959 new reps but rep turnover is a concern
National Executive Committee – Urgency reports
International
· Agreed the following donations: £20,000 to Rohingya school project, £20,000 to Raising Hope for Children in Crisis, £25,000 for Hebron International Rescue Network, £20,000 for Ukraine Education International Solidarity Fund, £30,000 for Cuba Solidarity Campaign, £10,000 for Justice 4 Colombia Campaign, £15,000 for Venezuela appeal and £10,000 for Lajee Centre Summer School
Treasurer’s Report
· Actual surplus is currently £4.6m against a budgeted surplus of £6.3m.
Membership Report
· Support staff members are the biggest single category of joiners and overall membership is stable
General Purposes
· Staff union pay award will be 3.5% with an increase to maternity and paternity leave
· Agreed dates for annual conference 2028-2031 – 10/4/2028-13/4/2028 in Bournemouth, 26/03/2029-29/03/2029 in Liverpool, 15/04/2030-18/04/2030 in Liverpool, 7/04/2031-10/4/2031 venue to be confimred
Policy, Research and Campaigns
· Agreed both TUC motions
Bargaining and Negotiations
· Agreed to amend the wording of Daniel’s report and to frame a ballot question around a substantial increase in school funding and significant steps towards pat restoration.
Union Strength
· A membership review working party to be established as agreed at Special Conference
· Allocation of places for equality and sector conferences next year to be based on core principles of increasing numbers of women, 20-50% new members or first time delegates and engaging new activists and reps
Member Defence
· A review of our current casework strategy to be undertaken
· Support for Overseas Trained Teachers agreed.
Action Committee
· This academic year there have been 331 indicative ballots and 342 formal ballots.
· Also there have been some significant victories at MAT, LA and school level.
Email: deborah.gwynn@neu.org.uk
Phone: 07552198769