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If your school has already converted to academy status
Once a school has become an academy, it is vital ATL reps continue to promote the rights and working conditions of members within the school. ATL reps in academies play an important role providing bespoke information and support to our members in academies.
What you can do
1. Secure union recognition
If the principle of union recognition has not been accepted, or if a recognition agreement based on the TUC model recognition agreement or otherwise, has not been signed, pursue the issue as a matter of urgency, keeping your ATL branch secretary and ATL's London office informed of progress. The TUC has also produced guidance to help with discussions between school managers, governors and trade unions.
ATL is already recognised by and has established policies with a number of existing academies - see ATL's recognition agreements and policies with academies.
AMiE has produced some guidance for its members on academy status and the TUC model recognition agreement.
2. Establish a joint consultative and negotiating committee (JCNC)
Get a date in the diary for the first meeting of the JCNC, and then ensure it meets at least once a term. See ATL's Your school joint consulative negotiating committee - why it is important and the annex of the TUC model recognition agreement for more information about setting up a JCNC.
3. Attend ATL's reps' training course
If you haven't, consider attending one of ATL's regionally based reps' training courses.
4. Join ATL's academies network
Sign up to ATL's academies email network, where day-to-day problems of life in an academy are discussed.
5. Circulate Academy news
ATL's newsletter Academy news is produced and distributed to members in academies.
6. Ensure everyone is in ATL
Size matters when campaigning - by showing that staff and significant members of the local community are behind us, the greater the chance of success. ATL's online joining form is at www.atl.org.uk/join.
7. Keep members informed
Keep members fully aware of what is happening within the school. If you need to hold meetings for members, these should be joint meetings with members of GMB, NASUWT, NUT, Unison and Unite when appropriate. See ATL's guidance on arranging staff meetings.
8. Keep ATL informed
It's important you keep in touch so we can give you the support you need. Liaise with your ATL Branch, and you can also contact ATL's London office.
Also contact ATL if the school seeks to undermine the union recognition arrangements, unreasonably restrict time off for union duties, or depart from the term of the STPCD, Burgundy Book or Green Book.
Full list of resources for reps in schools that have converted to academy status
- ATL's FAQs on academies for governors
- Joint union FAQs on academies for staff
- Joint union FAQs on academies for parents
- Downloadable version of ATL's academies checklist (see part 3)
- TUC model recognition agreement
- TUC guidance to help with discussions between school managers, governors and trade unions
- Covering letter for the model agreement
- ATL's academies and facilities time guidance
- ATL's introduction to the transfer of undertakings
- Your school joint consulative negotiating committee - why it is important
- Guidance for AMiE members on academy status and the TUC model recognition agreement
- ATL factsheet on leaving an academy and continuous service
You can also see ATL's recognition agreements and policies with exisitings academies.