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If you need support
ATL values the contribution of its representatives enormously, and makes a wide range of support available.
In addition to resources, there is always someone to contact if you have a particular problem or query.
Ongoing individual support and advice
Branches: representatives will receive support and local information from their local branch secretaries, and invitations to attend meetings and share experiences with other reps and members in their locality. You can get contact details from the 'find my branch' drop-down menu on the bottom right-hand side column of this website.
General enquiries/legal advice: for all general enquiries or to speak to a member advisor on a legal or professional matter, call ATL's London office, tel: 020 7930 6441 or via email.
Membership enquiries: for information regarding member details, membership lists, membership categories, subscription rates and payment methods, call ATL's membership department, tel: 020 7782 1600 or contact them via our email contact form. Remember that new members can join ATL by telephone (tel: 0845 057 7000).
ATL's helplines: don't forget the out-of-office-hours helpline and the ATL stress, crisis and legal helplines too. For details see our 'need help now?' section.
Meet the organising team
If you want any advice on your role as a rep, or are interested in getting more involved, ATL's organising team works in the field to support and help members, reps and branches.
If you would like to contact any of the organising team, you can email them using our email contact form.
Lawson Armstrong, Lead organiser (North East)
Lawson works to support north east branches with organising and recruitment activity. He has helped develop many of ATL's resources for reps including the reps toolkit and he puts together the reps bulletin. Lawson also supports the ATL Future forum for student and NQ members and will lead on new organising work, communications and training for members working in academies.Karl English, Lead organiser
Karl supports ATL branches in the midlands and has particular responsibility for health and safety issues. In particular, Karl has helped branches to improve their communication with members and has encouraged a member-led approach to branch activity. He has developed new health and safety training and resources for reps, as well as organised health and safety events.
Mike Towl, Lead organiser (South)
Mike works with branches in the south (just up from London) that haven't worked with the organising team before, as well having particular responsibility for work with independent schools. He organised the first independent member network, has developed campaign toolkits for branches and is also working on union recognition in specific workplaces with our members.
Doreen Stenner, Organiser (South West)
Doreen was previously an ATL member for over 20 years and now works with branches in the south west. Doreen has a particular passion for helping branches support members who are new to the profession, and develops field-based resources and lectures for student and NQ members, as well as delivering workshops for this audience. Doreen recruits and trains new reps in the branches she works with to encourage membership growth and organisation.
Duncan Woodhead, Organiser (London and the South East)
Duncan works with London branches and encourages members to be engaged and involved with ATL, organising surveys and events to support them with workplace issues. Duncan will also be working with the national organiser on an ATL Future reps programme to support student and NQ active members in England.
Jacinta Phillips, Organiser (London and the South East)
Jacinta has responsibility for inner London, and supports members to organise the London-wide network, along with delivering workshops for members and reps. She also works to revitalise a number of branches in the London area and delivers student recruiment activity in the south east. Jacinta is developing the first academy members network in London and regularly visits schools and colleges to meet with ATL members face to face.
Helen Cole, Organiser (South Wales)
Helen works with Gwent and South Glamorgan branches and organises events for reps and members in Wales. She works on the ATL Cymru newsletter and supports the Wales Committee. Helen also has a special interest in working with FE members in both Wales and south west colleges in England.
Jon-Leigh Pritchard, Organiser (North West)
Jon-Leigh supports branches in the north west to develop their organising work as well as supporting student and NQ recruitment activity. He has been successful in identifying and developing new branch secretaries in the area and organising events for members. Jon-Leight has particular responsibility for organising in the FE sector, working across England with members who face uncertainty with merger issues in their colleges.
Katherine Fry, Organiser (Yorkshire and Humberside)
Katherine has responsibility for Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and North Yorkshire branches, and organises and delivers reps training in this area. Katherine helps branches become more in touch with their members. She is also setting up new networks in Yorkshire and Humberside for FE reps, support staff and ATL Future members. Katherine has a special interest in support staff who work in independent schools.
Demelza Vasco-Kisimisi, Organising team administrator
Demelza is the key point of contact for the organising team and provides administrative support. She also liaises with branches on newsletters, events and promotional materials, arranges student recruitment events and lectures in London, and ensures the NQ summer seminars run smoothly for members.
Keith Robson, National official (Scotland)
Keith works as ATL's national official in Scotland. He has set up an ATL Scotland office, and is supporting student and NQ recruitment in Scotland, as well as working on ATL responses to education policy developments in Scotland, and increasing ATL's profile in Scottish independent schools.Alastair Donaghy, Northern Ireland
Alastair works with Theresa Devenney to support student and NQ recruitment in Northern Ireland, as well as developing member networks, organising workshops and training for reps and members. Alastair has a dual role delivering case work support for members.
Theresa Devenney, ATL Northern Ireland
Theresa works with Alastair Donaghy to support student and NQ recruitment in Northern Ireland, as well as developing member networks, organising workshops and training for reps and members. Theresa works on the Northern Ireland newsletter.
