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ATL Conference 2009
Thursday 9 April - morning session
Sixth session of conference - 9am-12.30pm
During this session there was an address by Dr Mary Bousted, ATL General Secretary followed by a debate with Michael Gove MP, Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, and David Laws MP, Liberal Democrats Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.
RESOLUTIONS
62 Stress, health and safety and class sizes - carried
-- Urgent business 2 - carried
63 Large schools - carried
64 Bullying of staff - carried
65 Coaching skills - carried
66 Male teachers - carried
67 Free school meals - carried
62 Stress, health and safety and class sizes - carried
SURREY BRANCH
THAT Conference notes the increase in teacher stress levels, the decline in pupil benefits and the health and safety risks in schools exceeding recommended class sizes, especially in practical subjects. Conference requests that the Executive Committee lobbies for sanctions against such schools, and/or incentives for those complying.
Proposer: Tamsin Buckingham, St Andrews RC School, Surrey
Seconder: Leslie Jackson, Esher CE High School, Surrey
-- Urgent business 2 - carried
--
THAT Conference, noting Sir Andrew Forster's damning report into the mismanagement of the FE capital programme by DIUS and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), calls on the Execuutive Committee to lobby the government to end the intense anxiety experienced by students and staff by this crisis, by ensuring that funding is available to allow FE and sixth form colleges to meet all the capital commitments they entered into in good faith with the active encouragement of the LSC.
Proposer: Stella Jales
Seconder: David Ambler
63 Large schools - carried
INNER LONDON BRANCH
THAT Conference is extremely concerned at the increase of schools with very large numbers of children. Conference calls on the Executive Committee to organise a vigorous campaign to oppose these massive schools and to approach other education unions/bodies for support.
Proposer: Jean Roberts, Old Oak Primary School, London
Seconder: Kim Knappett, Forest Hill School, London
64 Bullying of staff - carried
BRENT BRANCH
THAT Conference abhors bullying in any shape or form and recognises that bullying can be a serious problem in schools and colleges both for children and young people, but also for employees. Conference is alarmed at the rise in bullying of staff, particularly from senior managers in schools.
Conference asks the Executive Committee to survey members to ascertain the type and extent of bullying by other staff and to put forward a plan of action to Conference 2010.
Proposer: Azra Haque, Hay Lane Special School, Brent
Seconder: Kevin Alderton, Copland Specialist Science Community College, Brent
65 Coaching skills - carried
DERBYSHIRE BRANCH
THAT Conference considers it vital for school heads and managers to develop coaching skills as part of their leadership role. Conference requests the Executive Committee to lobby the National College of School Leadership to ensure the content of the NPQH and other leadership courses reflects this priority.
Proposer: Cathy Tattersfield, Peak School, Derbyshire
Seconder: Ian Robinson, Tupton Hall School, Derbyshire
66 Male teachers - carried
WILTSHIRE BRANCH
THAT Conference, recognising the need to improve the gender balance in the profession, especially in primary schools, urges the Executive Committee to lobby the TDA to campaign actively and openly on recruiting more male teachers into the profession.
Proposer: Philip Whalley, Hardenhuish School, Wiltshire
Seconder: Elizabeth Wrighton, South Wilts Grammar School, Wiltshire
67 Free school meals - carried
INNER LONDON BRANCH
THAT Conference welcomes the Government's decision to undertake three pilot schemes of providing free school meals to primary pupils. Conference calls on the Executive Committee to lobby the Government to:
(i) increase the number of pilots in order to test various methods of delivery;
(ii) set 'target' criteria before the pilots;
(iii) ensure that, as far as possible, the food provided is from sustainable sources.
Proposer: Diana Manville
Seconder: Jean Roberts
