ATL

Independent schools conference 2010

ATL president Andy Brown stressed the importance of ATL's independent sector members to the ATL 'family' at the union's independent schools conference on 13 November in London.

Coming from Northern Ireland, Andy said he appreciates ATL's broad based family as one of its unique strengths.

ATL general secretary Mary Bousted gave the 90 delegates an overview of the coalition government's education programme and ATL's views.

Drawing on the findings of the ATL's 2010 independent sector pay and conditions survey, Dr Bousted also provided an authoritative view of the current state of the sector and some of the challenges members face. One delegate described her speech as "clear, concise and intelligent".  "Informative and clear, she stands face on to challenges" said another.

Guest speaker was a thought-provoking and entertaining presentation by Ian Yorston, ATL member, and head of digital strategy at Radley College in Oxfordshire. He delivered a sober warning about the frightening advance of technology and the struggle of educationalists to keep up.

While not everyone agreed with Ian's views, with some questioning where the ethics were in this brave new world, the majority found the presentation invigorating. "Provocative, fun, and interesting" said one member. "Shocking in a good way" and "thought provoking and scary" said others.

One apt member comment underlined ATL's role as a professional association, as well as a trade union: "The best INSET I have been to in a very long time," they said.

Seminar break-out groups gave delegates the opportunity to discuss a variety of issues from CPD, the results of the pay and conditions survey, and redundancy - using the revised edition of the ATL's guide Working in the independent sector. 

IPSAG members chaired the seminar groups, conducted a learning needs survey and made sure all delegates were involved.