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 helpline: don't forget the out-of-office-hours helpline. For details see our Need help now? section.
Meet our national officials
ATL's national officials provide specific advice and support for education professionals in independent schools and for support staff.
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.
Collette Bradford, national organiser
Collette's key responsibility is to lead, line manage and support ATL's organising team and recruiters-in-the field. She has developed the union's centre of excellence with regard to organising and recruitment, and has been instrumental in developing ATL's 'Get involved' campaign as well as the union's student and newly qualified recruitment strategy and the annual series of summer seminars for NQ members.
Katherine Fry, lead organiser, Northern Region
Katherine has responsibility for branches in the Northern Region, covering the North East and Yorkshire and Humberside. As well as organising and delivering reps training, she leads on organising work in academies. Katherine helps branches become more in touch with their members, and has developed new networks in the Northern Region for FE reps. Katherine has a special interest in support staff working in independent schools.
Richard Marshall, TUC trainee organiser
Richard Marshall works with Katherine Fry in the Northern Region. He will be working with ATL student and newly qualified members, as well as recruiting reps in workplaces in the region.
Karl English, lead organiser (Midlands)
Karl supports ATL branches in the Midlands and has particular responsibility for supporting Independent reps and campaigning in the Independent sector. Karl has helped branches in the Midlands to improve their communication with members and has encouraged a member-led approach to organising branch activity. He has developed new health and safety training for reps, and organised health and safety and other events for members in the region.
Ben Egan, TUC trainee organiser
Ben Egan works with Karl English in the Midlands region. He will be working with ATL student and newly qualified members, developing a ATL Future network in the West Midlands, and recruiting reps in workplaces in the region.
Mike Towl, lead organiser (South)
Mike works with branches in the South East. He organised the first independent member network, has developed campaign toolkits for branches, and delivers reps training. He is working on the 'target workplace' campaign, the renewal of ATL branches, and with members on ATL recognition in specific workplaces.
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 also works with the national organiser on ATL Future student reps training and the joint ATL/TUC activist academy training, and with ATL Future members in London and the South East on their network activity.
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.
Mary Hajistassi, lead organiser (North West)
Mary works across branches in the North West and supports them with their development plans and their recruitment and organising work. Mary supports activity which recruit retains and develops members in the region through campaigning. Mary also works on the ATL Health & Safety campaign.
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-Leigh has particular responsibility for organising in the FE sector and the North West ATL future network.
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.
Michael Higgins, organiser/caseworker (Scotland)
Michael's key responsibility is organising members in the independent sector, which inlcudes developing and supporting a vibrant reps and activists network in Scotland. Michael also has responsibility for student and newly qualified organisation and recruitment activity, key elements of which are organising ATL Future events, improving communications, conducting surveys and developing an active ATL Future forum in Scotland. Michael also delivers casework support for ATL 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.
