January 2021 - Irish National Teachers' Organisation
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January 2021
Nuacht CMÉ
Applying the lessons of 2020,
protecting teachers
INTO was not alone in breathing a from the inherent risks associated with across society and education. What
collective sigh of relief as 2020 finally keeping schools open. It is inevitable it will not do is address, for many, the
came to an end. 2021 we will continue to see mental trauma they have endured
brings with it the fervent outbreaks of the Covid-19 over this prolonged period of risk and
hope that you, your virus in schools and it uncertainty. INTO is acutely aware
families and the young seems very likely that a of the need for improved support for
people in your care will third surge in infections our members in the areas of well-
never again be forced to will occur in the early being and mental health. Indeed, our
endure a year like 2020. months of this year. current Chairperson of the Northern
However, the pandemic The risks teachers are Committee, Caroline McCarthy, has
has not gone away just yet, being exposed to are on made it a priority for her year in charge.
and it is likely, even with a par with those of our This reflects the awareness the Northern
the arrival of the vaccine, colleagues in the health Committee has had of this issue dating
that things will take some and other public services from a long time before Covid-19 was
time to properly settle who interface directly visited upon us and has led to Teacher
back into anything like with the public and it is Health and Well-Being becoming one
what we knew before. It only right therefore that of the priority areas subject to review
therefore remains vitally the teaching profession arising from the pay deal concluded last
important you continue along with our support year.
to take every precaution Gerry Murphy colleagues are prioritised INTO is determined that the
to protect yourselves, Northern Secretary for vaccination. This is experience we have all gained, living
your loved ones and the something INTO will with and managing though Covid-19,
children and young people in your continue to demand on your behalf. will inform how teachers’ working lives
care. We must all continue to limit our Even the Minister, Mr Weir, must are adjusted in the interests of their
contacts with people, keep up the hand understand that if his stubborn approach health and well-being going forward.
washing routine, wear face coverings to keeping schools open at any cost We give notice, now, to DE and the
and maintain social distancing. and what appears to be a pathological employing bodies that this is a subject
We are all aware that for the teaching determination to run with public we will be engaging with them on in
profession out there on the frontline examinations is to be delivered upon, every area of work and remind them
this is difficult and INTO is maintaining vaccination for teachers and their co- when their systems were overwhelmed
the pressure on the Department of workers in education must be a priority. in March and April of 2019, it was
Education, the employing authorities The vaccine will eventually see teachers who saved the day. Teachers are
and the public health bodies to ensure Covid-19 reduced to levels which allow the best resource they have, and we will
you are protected, in so far as is possible, for a more familiar level of functioning see they are protected.
NORTHERN COMMITTEE INFORMATION
Area Branches Mobile INTO Email
CEC 1 District 1 0101-0113 Seamus Hanna CEC Rep shanna@into.ie
CEC 2 District 2 0201-0217 Dorothy McGinley CEC Rep 07818424080 dmcginley@into.ie
BFC - Patrick McAllister BFC Rep 07828769034 pmcallister@into.ie
NEP North Eastern Primary Region 0101/0102/0104/0107/0109/0111 Michelle McCrystal INTO N Ctte 07851460682 mmccrystal@into.ie
NES North Eastern Post-Primary Region 0101/0102/0104/0107/0109/0111 Siobhan McElhinney INTO N Ctte 07915091871 smcelhinney@into.ie
SEP South Eastern Primary Region 0110/0113 Rachel O'Hare INTO N Ctte 07743427483 rohare@into.ie
SES South Eastern Post-Primary Region 0110/0113 John Kelly INTO N Ctte 07809694954 jkelly@into.ie
BP Belfast Region Primary A 0106 Caroline McCarthy INTO N Ctte 07977935988 cmccarthy@into.ie
BP Belfast Region Primary B 0105 Geraldine McGowan INTO N Ctte 07717277565 gmcgowan@into.ie
BS Belfast Region Post-Primary 0105/0106 Caoimhin MacColaim INTO N Ctte 07710234126 cmacolaim@into.ie
SP Southern Region Primary A 0202/0206/0208/0217 Marty Lavery INTO N Ctte 07733207887 mlavery@into.ie
SP Southern Region Primary B 0201/0203/0211/0214 Noreen Kelly INTO N Ctte 07846392235 nkelly@into.ie
SS Southern Region Post-Primary 0201/0202/0203/0206/0208/0211/0214/0217 Kevin Daly INTO N Ctte 07568528951 kdaly@into.ie
WP Western Region Primary A 0209/0213/0215/0216 Marie O'Shea INTO N Ctte 07802891109 moshea@into.ie
WP Western Region Primary B 0207/0212 Moira O'Kane INTO N Ctte 07522937888 mokane@into.ie
WS Western Region Post-Primary 0207/0209/0212/0213/0215/0216 Annmarie Conway INTO N Ctte 07701049789 amconway@into.ie
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INTO news
Grab a cuppa…
… of whatever you fancy, sit back
and take some time for us to help you
Where do I additional support for – it is a strength to the categories, please check it out.
start? Where do ask for help, not a weakness, and if that Now more than any other time it is
any of us start? Recent changes in the simple reminder encourages you to take imperative that everyone of us keeps
virus have seen our work and home that step, jobs a good ‘un! up to date with the guidance that is
lives impacted again in recent weeks. Little that is happening around us is available from DE & EA. The officials and
A potential way out of this is being what we would plan or choose and that administrative staff in Northern Office have
tantalisingly brought closer but it is not makes it even more important for every focused on making sure that information
here yet. Dealing with any situation one of us to find the space in our heads is available for all through the website this
doesn’t have be done in huge strides and lives where we can feel content includes covid specific issues: working
sometimes it doesn’t even have to be and some sense of release, for me it’s from home advice, supporting children in
successful but it does in current times music (listening not playing despite a schools, and information that applies now
need to be safe and, importantly, number of attempts – we all have our and into the post covid future; managing
manageable. limits). This addition of Printout not only workload, events, previous editions of
Time is a precious commodity, now shares information on issues that impact printout and much more. If you have a
more than ever, as we are torn between our working lives (advice about terms logon check in and access what is there. If
work and family duties. It is important to and conditions, wellbeing and INTO you haven’t a logon email infoni@into.ie
find the time to take stock of what you updates) it also sees the launch of the art Some members have called for an app to
are managing and what you need to seek competition. This year we have broadened be available, this is being looked at but for
ease of access a shortcut on your phone
Health & Safety Page
could achieve the same.
Sept 2020 Safe Use of display screens 4 The opportunity to be Chair of the
H&S reps: Advert re H&S Reps 15 Northern Committee is an honour and a
challenge and it’s hard to believe it’s only
Workload
been 5 months. Most important to me
Sept 2020 Working from home avoiding burnout .5 has been hearing and representing the
May 2020 Correctly balancing time budgets 6 voice of INTO members. I have attended
as many branch meetings as I can thanks
Sept 2018 Detrimental impact of workload on teachers 3
to the virtual world we live in and have
Wellbeing appreciated the welcome and the sense
Feb 2017 Inspire 15 of comradery at them all. If you have
yet to attend a branch meeting take the
Sept 2016 Teacher Health & Wellbeing survey 7
plunge, feel the support of colleagues.
May 2016 Stress at work 3 I hope you take time to read Printout
Advice & Guidance this month and if you have missed
Jan 2020 Work Experience info, advice, guidance 15 previous articles they are all available
again on the website, here are a few
Sept 2019 ETI Safeguarding Proforma 2019-20 14 suggestions.
May 2019 Assaults 12
Say no to drugs and nappies 13
Addressing Bullying in schools Act (NI) 2016 14
Jan 2019 Fixed Term employment regulations in action 5
June 2018 Changing patterns of work 5
GDPR 22
Jan 2018 What is reasonable force 4
Over payment scheme 4
Social Media the good the bad and the dangerous 21
Q&A Brief absences and maternity 22
Sept 2017 INTO Urges non engagement with Code of Conduct 3
Parental complaints- what information should teachers expect 5
May 2017 Are teachers suffering in silence? 3
Make the budget fit the school 5 CAROLINE MCCARTHY,
Northern Committee Chairperson
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Nuacht CMÉ
Directed Time Budgets
Rather than presenting Directed Time
Budget training as workshops around the
branches and districts as would be normal,
Covid-19 meant that INTO plans were
stymied and so it was forced to roll up its IT
sleeves and embark on two webinars.
The first of two, well attended webinars,
was on 4th November and was primarily
for school reps. The second, on the 5th
November, was for ordinary members,
including principals. An extended
invitation was issued to management and
the other teacher unions and individuals
from both of these additional groups did
take up our offer.
The webinars were deemed
essential because of what can only be
described as frustration on the part
of our complete membership. Most
had complained that the EA had not
provided meaningful, relevant training
with a clear understanding of how a out how many had actually agreed a associated with teaching allowances were
time budget should be drawn up. This time budget with their principal and also contained in a directed time budget.
frustration added to a delay in having audited their understanding of a time The webinar also provided two
individually agreed time budgets. It budget. Surprisingly, the result from the templates which Caroline and I explained
must be remembered that INTO insisted poll was that 84% of the attendees did in step-by-step detail. We had decided
on time budgets being included as not have an agreed time budget and 56% to follow the published model exemplar
an essential aspect of the 2020 pay had a poor understanding of Directed which formed the fourth Appendix to
agreement given the introduction of 10% Time Budgets. the TNC Workload Agreement from
of a teacher’s directed time being left for During the webinar the whole of the 2011. The time budgets exemplar was
planning, preparation and Workload Agreement, representative of a primary, Key Stage 1
assessment and the fact including the recent teacher, with one managerial allowance
that most teachers did amendments, were and the second was representative
not have a time budget discussed and the of a post-primary teacher with two
which is something that implications around a time managerial allowances. Both are included
employing authorities budget were examined here in this article and are available along
and school managements in relation to starting with the webinar on the INTO website.
should have already had and finishing times, At the beginning of the webinar Caroline
in place. supervision, contact time, explained to the attendees that she hoped
This was the background duties, breaks, registration, that by the end of the presentation they
for the INTO webinar PPA, SEN requirements would have more confidence with DTBs,
training which settled on and much more. and this was realised with the results of
titling the training ‘getting As part of the the final survey where 84% of attendees
it right’. It was explained in presentation different stated their understanding was either
the introduction that for slides and templates good or improved. Also, at the end of the
time budgets to be done were provided. Before we webinar no one ticked the box to say they
in a meaningful fashion looked at the actual time had a poor understanding of directed time
then they really needed to Tommy McGlone budgets the slide on facts budgets.
be done right. Senior Official generated quite a bit of The feedback from both webinars has
The webinar went discussion. We presented been very positive and has achieved what
through different directed nine facts (see above) and we had planned – to deliver clear and
time budgets from the start to the finish explained each of them. Many attendees concise guidance and ensure that there is a
and presented the information from the were unaware that morning break was consistent understanding. For those of you
viewpoint of someone who was a total included in their directed time. Some that may wish to listen again to the webinar
newcomer to DTBs. were of the impression that they were training, it is available at INTO website –
Before actually looking at the only credited for the time they actually https://www.into.ie/ni/help-advice/rights-
construction of a Directed Time Budget, supervised during break. Similarly, some conditions/working-time-professional-
Caroline surveyed the attendees to find teachers were unaware that the duties duties/directed-time-budgets/
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INTO news
Directed Time Budgets
Webinar Questions and answers
Throughout the two days of webinar could be described as pastoral then ‘workers should be working from home
demonstration, Tommy and I were this period, irrespective of its length, wherever possible’ careful consideration
presented with questions by the is considered to be contact time and is of this directive should be given but we
attendees. We have committed to included as part of a teacher’s 23½ hours would reiterate directed time must not
answering all questions and have shared contact time. exceed 1265 hours within the 195 days.
them on the Directed Time Budgets Our post-primary template simply
webpage. We have selected some states the maximum teaching cover time Is marking included in the directed
examples to share with you. You can see that a teacher can be asked to do is 23½ time hours?
all questions/answers, hours. Time calculations Yes, marking is included within the
along with the webinar, can be done on the directed time 1265 hours.
PowerPoint, templates minimum of a weekly
(Irish & English basis; daily calculations What if there is no time budget in my
version) https://www. should be avoided. school?
into.ie/ni/help-advice/ If a teacher’s It is a requirement for Boards of
rights-conditions/ responsibilities and duties Governors/principal to provide you
working-time- identify that the contact with an agreed individual time budget.
professional-duties/ and cover time needs to Speak to your principal and request
directed-time-budgets/ be reduced this would a time for discussion about your
be reflected in the first individual time budget. If an agreement
I have heard talk about section of the post-primary cannot be reached contact your INTO
1265 hours what does directed time budget on representative who will advise you on
this mean to me as a the INTO template. the way forward.
teacher?
Full time teachers are How much of your What advice do you give if a principal
contracted to work 195 directed time can be is attempting to use a “generic” time
days in the year up to a CAROLINE MCCARTHY, included at home, on a budget and applying this to ALL staff?
maximum of 1265 hours Northern Committee Chairperson normal week not COVID Directed Time Budgets are to be
and all tasks/duties are related? individually agreed and must allocate
to be included in the 1265 hours. A normal week, i.e. non-COVID times, time to the tasks and duties specific to
Part-time teachers work pro-rata of should not have any time directed at each individual teacher – there may be
the 1265hrs/195 days. home. The purpose of an individual some aspects that are generic e.g., times
directed time budget is that work-life of day, parents’ meetings etc.
Could you differentiate between and home-life have a distinct separation. If a principal develops a generic
directed time and teaching, cover etc. During COVID – specifically under time budget this does not meet
Are things like registration counted? the current Executive guidance where the requirements of TNC 2020/1
Every minute from the time a teacher
is directed to be in school until the end
of the school day, with the exception
of a teacher’s lunch which is unpaid, is
included in a directed time budget.
A Registration period must also be
included in the directed time budget
and if a teacher is required to deliver
learning or pastoral work, this period
of time is considered to be class contact
time.
If a school has a timetabled
registration period which lasts no longer
than five minutes, and the teacher is
expected to do nothing more than call
a roll, then this dedicated five-minute
registration period should be deemed as
supervision.
If the timetabled registration period
is longer than five minutes and a teacher
is required to carry out any duty that
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Nuacht CMÉ
Agreement. The school rep
should refer the principal to
TNC 2020/1 and inform the
principal that members will
require an individual time
budget following individual
consultation.
When meeting with the
principal to agree the time
budget, should we have
our own draft prepared
beforehand?
Yes, this should help as a
starting point. INTO would
certainly advise that a teacher
has clearly planned and
outlined how long they believe
they require for activities and
would advise teachers to carry
out an audit of how long it takes them Teachers are not paid for their lunch Is there a directed time budget for
to carry out their duties to inform the break (unless employed under a separate principals & vice principals?
discussion that they have with the contract) and so this time is their own Currently no, but this should not mean
principal. If enough time is not allocated and if they wish can leave the school that the workload of a principal or vice
to carry out duties within the 1265 then premises. principal is not managed. It is important
simply, they should not be done. to remember the following points:
Teachers should consider each aspect Should the use of PPA time be left up • A healthy work life balance is
of the directed time budget template to individual teachers? important to all. Boards of Governors
and refer to the check list for example Generally, PPA time is something that have a duty of care to the health
report writing, x pupil no., managerial/ is determined by a teacher. Teachers and wellbeing of all in the school,
teaching allowance duties etc. generally know what they need to do. including the school leaders.
However, teachers are legally (Teachers’ • While principal’s do not have the
What is contingency time? Terms & Conditions 1987) under the same contractual entitlement to 1265
Every time budget must include direction of the principal for 1265 hours. hours currently, they are protected
contingency time to allow for PPA is time that is there for teachers to from excessive working hours under
unexpected issues. The Workload carry out their planning, preparation the terms of the European Working
Agreement recommends contingency and assessment and principals should Time Directive, imperfect as that
time “to ensure there is flexibility to endeavour to ensure that teachers can may be. So, while teaching unions
account for situations that may arise and avail of this time without interruption. and management are working
can be included in the school budget”. There may be some smaller collaborative toward the outcome of the review of
meetings, departmental etc associated principals’ workloads, principals and
Does a school union rep include this with the planning element of PPA. vice principals should be reminding
time in their time budget? Can you whoever needs reminding that
remind me please of the hours per Is there any direction for SENCOs 48-hour weeks, 11 hours between
year for union rep? under the new workload agreement? finishing and starting again applies.
Yes. Will ring-fenced non-contact time for • Currently there is not a directed time
SENCOs be a reasonable expectation budget agreement for principals,
• 3-30 members: 1 period of 30 minutes when figuring out a time-budget? or vice principals. This is an area of
per week of contact time
The duties of a SENCO must be focus for the INTO as they go into the
• 31 – 60 members: 2 periods of 30
included in the directed time budget. If reviews with management side and
minutes deducted from their contact
for instance a SENCO in a particularly teaching unions as agreed within the
time
large school required 10 hours per week Pay and Workload Agreement 2020.
• Over 60 members: 3 periods per week
to fully complete all the tasks expected,
• 2 days leave in each 2 years
then when this 10 hours is added to the While it is not yet part of a formal
https://www.into.ie/app/ three PPA hours per week the teaching agreed Directed Time Budget, INTO
uploads/2019/07/1.3.5.2.1_Facilities- time would need to be reduced so that would advise all principals to take
YourRights.pdf the SENCO is not working in excess control of what is a manageable
of their contractual hours. This is an workload. The current demands of
What is lunch entitlement? extreme example, but it is to simply COVID must dictate a business-critical
Primary and post primary teachers are make the point that all duties must be only approach. INTO have written
entitled to a minimum of 30 minutes accounted for in a time budget. to employing bodies to ask that they
lunch break between the hours of 12-2pm. The 9 reviews and the SEN demonstrate support for principals with
Nursery teachers are entitled to 30 regulations and Code of Practice will regard to this.
minutes lunch break between the hours further address the workload that INTO supports all principal and vice
of 12-2.30pm. SENCOs have been balancing. principal members.
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INTO news
DoF Consultation on Public Sector
Pension Schemes – INTO response
Changes to the Transitional Arrangements to the 2015 Schemes
The Department of Finance issued a would prefer to be in for the period in members will have access to the pertinent
Consultation on Public Sector Pension which the discrimination took place; this information from DE in relation to service/
Schemes: Changes to the Transitional is between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022. amount accrued in each scheme and
Arrangements to the 2015 Schemes, in The consultation was seeking views on time to access independent Financial
August 2020. INTO responded to the when members should be given that advice which will be crucial at this stage.
consultation on behalf of choice. Independent Financial advice would
members and also posted The proposals simply not be available for all 130,000
the response on the INTO set out that this will public sector workers in the immediate
website in advance of the either be shortly after choice.
closing date in November implementation (i.e. There are many factors to be taken into
2020 for members to view from 2022 onwards) account by members when making the
when preparing their own stated as Immediate choice of which pension scheme they
responses which INTO Choice Underpin or would prefer to be in for the period 1 April
encouraged them to do. when individuals reach 2021 to 31 March 2022 and clear accurate
The Department retirement, Deferred Choice information on all aspects of the choices
of Finance (DoF) was Underpin. Further details available are critical.
consulting on proposals of both options including It is obvious that there will be
to fix age related the advantages and administrative costs arising from the
discrimination identified disadvantages of both were proposed changes whether in the
in the transitional set out in the consultation. Deferred or Immediate choice options.
arrangements of the 2015 Overall INTO favoured There may also be costs arising from
public service pension the Deferred Choice the choice the member makes. INTO in
reforms arising from NUALA O’DONNELL Underpin (DCU) as this its response made was adamant that
recent legal cases. Senior Official offered the potential for no costs should apply to members
The consultation members to examine the or the NITPS as a result of remedying
explained that under both proposals differences between the two schemes at the mistake the Government made in
affected individuals would receive a the point of retirement when it is most introducing a scheme which has been
choice of which pension scheme they relevant to them. The DCU also ensures found to be discriminatory.
INTO favoured the Deferred Choice
Underpin … this offered the
potential for members to examine
the differences between the two
schemes at the point of retirement
when it is most relevant to them.
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Nuacht CMÉ
Managing Teacher Wellbeing
In the current educational environment, Research has shown that having a good • Where/who do you turn to if there is
where schools are trying to increase teacher has a big difference on student something wrong?
student attainment with a diminishing exam results. A teacher with high job • Would you like the opportunity to have
budget, teacher wellbeing may be satisfaction, positive morale and who is counselling?
overlooked as a ‘nice to have’ rather than healthy should be more likely to teach • What do you enjoy about your job?
as essential. lessons which are creative, challenging • What do you not like?
But, from an organisational perspective, and effective, leading to students doing The results of the wellbeing survey
wellbeing is strongly related to work better in exams. should be shared with staff and the
stress, a key player in employee absence. governors. Anonymity
Demotivated staff are often disengaged, do What has an impact on must be maintained, but
not enjoy their jobs and eventually leave. wellbeing? staff should be consulted
Many teachers feel overworked, Past research has on the findings and
under-appreciated and stressed. Many identified the main factors given the chance to
teachers’ work-life balance is non-existent, influencing good quality suggest improvements
their relationships outside of work are of work such as, leaders to the school culture and
suffering, and their passion for the who support employees, environment.
profession is waning. developing staff skills There are many issues
It’s therefore never been more and rewarding staff, which can affect staff
important to focus on and ensure the relationships based on wellbeing and the best
wellbeing of teaching staff. As well as trust and measuring staff way forward is to find
greater staff retention levels, less sick wellbeing. With specific out what they are and
leave, and lower supply teacher costs, regard to staff wellbeing, try to deal with them. For
research has shown that a teacher’s if schools measured staff example, with regard to
happiness levels has a knock on effect for wellbeing on an annual workload, the survey may
students. basis using their own well highlight constant
survey which allowed Paul Groogan emails and WhatsApp
Why does teacher wellbeing matter? staff to answer questions Trade Union Official group messages being
A teacher with low health and wellbeing, anonymously and without received at weekends as a
experiencing high levels of stress or who fear of reprisals and also dealt directly cause of major stress for staff. Obviously,
is ill at work, will not perform to the best with the concerns raised, the staffroom a solution would be to have a ban on
of their ability. would be a happier place. Even consider sending messages at the weekend. Or the
This could be as a result of different a suggestion box in the staff room so survey may highlight that staff feel the
factors. For example, a teacher with that teachers can provide feedback need for more administrative or technical
low health and wellbeing may lack the throughout the year. We do it for pupils! support. To even get a response which
energy required to deliver a lesson which A wellbeing survey should consider explains why it may not be possible or
effectively pushes children to succeed. including questions such as those below that it is being dealt with can alleviate the
Additionally, a teacher who is struggling and ask staff to scale how happy they stress for staff.
to cope with stress is more likely to be are on a scale of 1-5 (where appropriate). It is essential that the effort of the staff
absent from work. Using a scale helps make the results to complete the survey and give feedback
Teachers are one of the many factors quantifiable: is not wasted. Concrete action to reduce
that may be associated with a student’s • Do you feel stressed at work? stress, support employees and provide
educational attainment. Other factors are • Do you feel adequately supported at ongoing opportunities for reflection and
the student’s home and family life, the work? further suggestions is essential.
school as a whole, their peers and the • Do you feel equipped to manage your Managing teacher wellbeing properly is
classes they are placed in. workload? a win win result for all in education.
A teacher with high job which are creative,
satisfaction, positive morale challenging and effective,
and who is healthy should be leading to students
more likely to teach lessons doing better in exams.
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INTO news
for the
Not just for those of
us of a certain age!
The menopause will impact the lives of likely to go through the menopause at We should all be able to:
us all, whether we identify as he, she, some stage in their teaching career. • Work through the menopause in a
or they. It does not matter that you are Conference calls on Northern supportive environment
personally not affected, it will affect Committee: • Control room temperature
those around us in both our personal 1. To negotiate with management • Take bathroom breaks when needed
and working life – simply put it is not on a range of measures, including • Expect understanding from
just ‘her’ issue it happens to ‘him’ and it an agreed policy on supporting colleagues and managers, including
happens to ‘them’ at any stage of life. menopause in the workplace; and reasonable adjustments.
Even saying the word Menopause 2. To undertake a campaign on
or happening on a discussion about menopause in the workplace which Taking time to understand the impact
it creates a reaction. It may be one of focuses on supporting teachers. the menopause can have both physically
relief, ridicule, embarrassment but if we and emotionally helps individuals
are honest rarely one of understanding, So, it is my role as Chairperson to strive manage their own experience, helps us
the reason being, like so many aspects of to get it rolling. This article is just the understand and appreciate better those
our lives, it falls into the taboo category. start. INTO have planned a workshop we grew up with, live with and work
One of those topics your granny never in early 2021, open to all, linking with with.
discussed, a hushed matter and that is ICTU, EANI and hopefully research
why we need to tackle it as individuals, from the University of Ulster. CAROLINE McCARTHY, Northern Committee
as colleagues, as school leaders. So as a start a workplace checklist: Chairperson
The symptoms of the menopause
are too often under recognised,
undervalued and not taken seriously. Taking time to understand the impact the menopause …
The commonly known and accepted
symptoms of hot flushes, tiredness, helps individuals manage their own experience, helps us
poor memory, disturbed sleep pattern,
sleepiness, weight gain only paint understand and appreciate better those we grew up with,
part of the picture for some. The
psychological symptoms include loss of live with and work with.
self-confidence, low self-esteem, anxiety,
depression and as these may be hard to
recognise, they are not talked about and
individuals may not seek help. Throwing
open the conversation and the support
in the work environment will hopefully
start to change this pattern
An ICTU survey found 49% of
respondents said that the menopause
had been treated as a joke in their
workplace, 28% said that the menopause
had been treated negatively. The LRA,
Equality Commission and the ICTU are
drafting guidance because it is needed.
Northern Conference 2020 passed a
motion:
Conference acknowledges that a
significant majority of the teaching
profession are female and are therefore
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2021 Did Lockdown help you realise your love of art again?
Have you created work during lockdown, have you found art a way
to maintain your well-being, do you have an idea you can bring to
completion for this year’s competition?
A love of art is something many of us have and some have
only just discovered. If there was one benefit to be found
during lockdown it was that art can be enjoyed safely and
brings significant benefits for creators and viewers. All
forms of media, mainstream & social, have seen a
surge in art inspiration over recent months. INTO has
supported an art competition for 8 years and in this
its 9th year we hope to see it grow and reflect the emotions
that you have experienced.
In 2013 Magdalena Beldowska-Breen, Belfast Branch, was
the winner of the INTO Art Competition in its inaugural
year.
Since 2013 members have gone on to participate, support
and of course win the annual competition.
The competition has changed over the years to include in
2018 both a winning photograph (Tanya McCrory, Tyrone
Central branch) and a winning painting (Siobhan
Dillon, South Antrim Branch).
PRINTOUT 10 JANUARY 2021INTO news
In 2018 we were marking INTO’s of art that is entirely the work of its As much as art is a creative process
150th anniversary year. 2020 will be members. it is also about engagement. The
remembered as exceptional for very creators who share their art afford
different reasons. Previously entrants have had the a chance for us to see things in a
choice of a theme or a medium; this different way, to feel soothed or
With this in mind, 2021’s Competition year the brief is only that it should stimulated as their work affects each
aims to reflect the experience of be possible for INTO to display your viewer.
members in a time of lockdown, work in Northern Office.
isolation, those challenges in school Growing from this idea of access
and at home never faced before but Northern Office is calling on INTO and engagement INTO plans to
also the support we have shown each members who quilt, who sculpt, create a virtual art gallery in the
other, how we have connected in who work in collage, who make art members’ area of the website so that
new ways using new technology and in electronic media, who etch, who all members can view all the art in
the resilience and resourcefulness of sketch - if you are creative and have Northern Office at any time.
teachers, staff and our young people art to share please do. In this spirit
all across the education sector. of anticipation, that 2021’s Application details for the 2021 INTO
competition hopes to attract an Art Competition can be found on the
In past years entrants have been bold unprecedented variety of works and INTO website. The Art Competition
and generous enough to share with us media, several outstanding pieces will is open to INTO members in NI.
their skills and as a result Northern be identified rather than one single For further details please email
Office can display proudly a collection winning entry. infoni@into.ie.
2021’s Competition aims to reflect the experience of members in a time of lockdown … but
also the support we have shown each other, how we have connected in new ways using new
technology and the resilience and resourcefulness of teachers, staff and our young people
PRINTOUT 11 JANUARY 2021Nuacht CMÉ
INTO Position on the continuation of
public examinations for the academic
year 2020/21 and commentary
INTO recently went on record in CCEA appointed examiners as per the any responsibility for developing
support of the Northern Ireland normal arrangements for assessment of proposals which, inevitably, will involve
Commissioner for Children and Young examinations. We differ here from the compromise and come under immense
People, Koula Yiasouma’s call for the NAHT call for internally political pressure and
scrapping of public examinations in assessed and moderated pressure applied by
Northern Ireland for this academic year. assessments. sectional interests within
This call was based on a The benefits of this are: education, would leave
consideration of the current context • a clear and deliverable the teaching unions open
and the foreseeable future disruption method of delivering to valid criticism should
to schooling for the duration of quality assured the system prove unfit
this academic year and the negative assessments for purpose, burdensome
impact that continuing with plans • paid work for those on our members and
for examinations is having on the teachers and others detrimental to students.
learners themselves. It is not difficult to who undertake external The Minister of
conclude, to paraphrase from our own marking for CCEA, Education’s latest
trade union lexicon, that detriment to most of whom are proposals around
learners is also detriment to teachers. teachers and members examinations do not go
It is widely accepted that further of our unions far enough in addressing
contingencies have been and are • clarity for centres, the already well-
being considered by CCEA. Sharing teachers and learners rehearsed concerns of
and discussion of these contingencies and the removal of KEVIN DALY INTO members around
in an open forum with the relevant the perceived need Trade Union Official examinations. There
stakeholders, including the Trade to gather ‘banks of appears to be a ‘carry on
Unions, is essential. evidence’ regardless’ attitude in
In the absence of full knowledge • safeguard against additional and play. In trying to protect examinations
of these contingency plans, INTO’s excessive workload at all costs it appears that the Minister
initial call has been and continues to • reduction of stress for all concerned. does not particularly care if he devalues
be for an end to examinations for this them beyond recognition and there
year to be replaced by a combination INTO does not believe that the detail of is little evidence to suggest that the
of existing controlled assessment/ this is a matter for the trade unions to mental health impact on young people
coursework where available alongside work out. Our task is to call for solutions as identified by the children and young
CCEA produced and provided ‘Staged that safeguard our members conditions peoples’ commissioner has any
Assessments’ taken during identified which in turn will benefit their students. bearing on the decisions coming
windows of the remainder of the We should be consulted alongside other from DE.
school year and assessed externally by stakeholders but to seek to assume
PRINTOUT 12 JANUARY 2021INTO news
Understanding Life in Lockdown
for Autistic Young People
Using Photovoice, a type of
documentary photography, nine research
participants used their smartphones to
document aspects of their daily lives
during lockdown on the basis of the
three research questions designed by the
autistic research advisors.
‘The structure of other projects did not make it
easy for the children with ASD to contribute.
The way… Life in Lockdown… was set up was
perfect and the feedback you got from the
children was very insightful. Parent of research
participant
‘The beach goes out a bit so you can’t really see what’s at the end, this is like my current situation
and the world’s current situation, we don’t know what’s at the end and we don’t know what’s 48 photographs were generated easily
coming for us and what’s coming for me. I don’t really know what’s at the end of the road. It’s portraying the very essence of what it
uncertain.’ Darach, research advisor meant to be a young autistic person during
lockdown in Northern Ireland. The research
By June 2020, children and young people autistic learners. advisers analysed the photographs
across Northern Ireland had experienced During this time, the School of Social highlighting both the challenges and
three months of lockdown. Remote Sciences, Education and Social Work at coping strategies adopted by this
learning had been sprung upon teachers Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) funded remarkable group of young people.
and children alike in mid-March with small-scale research projects in response
neither group prepared for the challenges to the impact of Covid-19. 4 autistic young ‘The original project was that it was a genuinely
of online platforms such as Google people worked with Dr Bronagh Byrne therapeutic thing for me, and gave me a bit of
Classroom and Seesaw. Children with and Dr Gillian O’Hagan from the Centre an escape from Lockdown actually. I met a few
additional educational needs including for Children’s Rights at QUB designing new people while working on it who actually
autistic children and young people, the Life in Lockdown research study to brightened up my days.” Darach, research advisor
usually surrounded by support teams illuminate just how autistic young people
of classroom assistants and support felt about their lives during the pandemic. The 6 themes identified would eventually
teachers were faced with months of be summarised into a research report
online learning, largely alone. Coupled ‘My hopes for this project are that it assists concluding with three recommendations.
with their own individual barriers to autistic people during these rough times, and 1. Future lockdown restrictions should
education and without the support of that teachers will take a few moments to read aim to give specific considerations
their key educational people, March over it to get an insight into what young people’s to autistic young people in terms of
to June 2020 became one of the most emotional states during the course of the past movement restrictions within wider
uniquely challenging terms ever for few months.” Darach, research advisor family circles and prioritise appropriate
face to face access to the services
designed to support autistic young
people.
2. Home-learning tasks should be
meaningful, adding to learning in a
systematic and scaffolded way, mindful
of the fact that the pace of teaching
new concepts online is a much slower
process for autistic students than in the
classroom.
3. Mental health wellbeing should be
formally included as part of the school
curriculum when home schooling/
‘When we had school at the start, I found it quite hard. I needed routine and I needed structure. I online learning is taking place and
needed to know. I’m not the sort of person who can do school one day at 9am and then 4pm the there should be discrete time for this
next day. I need things to be the same and predictable. These are all the objects of my routine,’ included in the time budgets for each
Patricia, research advisor school day.
PRINTOUT 13 JANUARY 2021Nuacht CMÉ
These recommendations were
presented to the Education Committee ‘I felt like my hand was tied by having to check all these
of the Stormont Assembly in December different tasks on different platforms, some projects
2020 by Bronagh and Gillian on behalf on MyMaths, some on google classroom, some as
of the autistic research participants and notifications, some as assignments. You don’t know
advisers. where to find work and teachers expected you to
remember exactly what would happen and to check at
‘There is not one cure for this, we need to look at different times. It actually would take so much time to
things individually and figure out things for each look for your work [that] you wouldn’t have very much
different person.” Joe, research advisor time left to do it in the end’ Sam, research advisor
What makes this research so poignant is
how the voices of these young people are reasonable adjustments, these young ‘During a pandemic, you cannot leave people with
heard not only through the enlightening people have used their own personal autism without help, without support.” Eimhar,
discussions of their photos but are experiences and expertise in autism to research advisor
reiterated through the presentation call upon those in power to do more for
of the themes and the message they autistic children and young people in The full research report on Life in
have for the stakeholders involved in times of crisis such as this critical incident Lockdown can be accessed at: https://
their education. In a climate where lip that is the Covid-19 pandemic. Put best by www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/
service is paid to terms like inclusion and Eimhear, one of the research advisors: CentreforChildrensRights/Projects/
Larry Magee 1924 – 2020
Former Chairperson of Northern Committee
Larry Magee passed away on the 26 the decades since, including his
December 2020, at the age of 96, children, Shane, Paul and Bronagh
having given 75 years as a committed who followed in their parents’
and active member of INTO. footsteps and became teachers and
members of INTO. Two of Larry’s
Larry started teaching in the late grandchildren carry on the family
1940s in Ballymena, moving to the tradition and are teaching today.
Abbey PS in Newry, before taking
up a post in St Peter’s Junior PS, Throughout his years in the INTO
Lurgan, not far from his family Larry held various positions at
home. His wife Una, also sadly School, Branch, District, Northern
deceased last year, was a teacher Committee and National Education
too and taught their six children in Committee levels. As a committed
Silverwood PS before joining Larry trade unionist he led his North
in St Peter’s PS Lurgan. Armagh Branch to affiliate to
its local Trades Union Council
As a young teacher Larry joined participating in rallies and marches
INTO and became an active demanding peace throughout the
member alongside two future INTO 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s; and against
Northern Secretaries, Al Mackle and the excesses of the Thatcher
Gerry Quigley, who later went on to government.
become INTO General Secretary.
These activists established a young The contribution that Larry Magee
teachers’ grouping within the INTO, has made to INTO and to the
in which Larry played a pivotal teaching profession is immeasurable
role. Due to their endeavours the and we offer our sincere sympathy
INTO achieved the removal of the to his family and gratitude for the
marriage ban for female teachers in legal and medical professions a legacy he has left for all INTO
the mid 1950s. This was followed by few years later. These were major members.
gaining the recognition of teaching achievements from which thousands
as a profession on a par with the of teachers have benefitted over Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
PRINTOUT 14 JANUARY 2021INTO news
Thinking about retirement?
Read on!
INTO has been providing pre-retirement Members also commented on the
seminars for members for over 16 years presentation being virtual and how some
through Platinum Financial. felt this enabled a greater participation
Platinum Financial are a leading firm in the webinar, using the chat function
of Independent Financial Advisers and to ask questions, which Philip then
Wealth Managers with offices in Belfast addressed throughout the presentation.
and London, dedicated to delivering no-
nonsense, helpful advice. ‘I felt very relaxed listening at home. I
Prior to Covid 19 seminars were could hear everything. Very clearly and
delivered to members in a number of could read slides’
venues across the North from November ‘Hearing a variety of questions. Sitting
to May each year. This year, Platinum comfortably at home! ‘
Financial, in consultation with INTO
delivered a pilot webinar in June for a feel I understand my retirement options ‘The audience were more likely to ask
small number of participants. Following a more clearly.’ and ‘Thank you for making questions. It was nice not to have to
few adjustments a series of webinars was this available. I never understood the drive a distance to a course. It was very
announced with the first taking place on pension statements and now it is very informative but also informal. ‘
21 October 2020 from 3.45 to 5.15pm. There clear. Well done!’ ‘Clear presentation. I liked that we
were 95 teachers from INTO and UTU could ask questions. Less threatening
at the webinar, which was delivered by Other comments from members who than sitting in a room full of people.’
Philip Andrews, from Platinum Financial attended the webinar included:
via Zoom. Jayne Grimason also from ‘Thank-you for an excellent webinar, These views will be considered in future
Platinum Financial, conducted a number which was very insightful and planning of pre-retirement seminars/
of quick polls among the participants informative”. webinars post Covid, with potentially
during the webinar, two of which asked a mixture of virtual and face-to-face
attendees at the start and end of the ‘Thank you very much. You all had presentations to suit all preferences.
presentation how well they felt they such patience for our requests. Very Further webinars are scheduled for:
understood their pension and retirement worthwhile session.’ Tuesday 19 January 2021
entitlements. Amazingly the levels of ‘Thank you for your seminar yesterday. Thursday 25 February 2021
understanding increased dramatically It clarified many points for me and also Wednesday 31 March 2021 from 3.45 to
from the beginning to the end, with I found the quality of the presentation 5.15pm.
members saying in their feedback ‘ Thank to be very good as was your link and Please email infoni@into.ie to reserve
you for the superb presentation , I now early reminder system. your place.
These views will be
considered in future
planning of pre-retirement
seminars/webinars post
Covid, with potentially a
mixture of virtual and
face-to-face presentations
to suit all preferences.
PRINTOUT 15 JANUARY 2021Nuacht CMÉ
INTO engages with students – virtually!
At the beginning of the academic year, our websites, sending links to this and the 2nd prize and £50 for 3rd prize. The prize
traditionally INTO, along with UTU and NEU online application form to the Colleges winners in each College/University were
would be invited to visit the Universities for distribution. All students who signed selected randomly and were then notified
and Colleges of education to speak to up were then entered into a draw for of their win and asked to provide a ‘selfie’
the students and recruit them into joint vouchers of £150 for 1st prize, £100 for of them with their prize.
membership of all three unions. In this
aspect INTO, UTU and NEU have established
a partnership approach which enables the
students to free student membership and
the opportunity to find out about the three
unions as a student and then decide which
union they wish to join upon graduation.
This year, not surprisingly was different,
and with students attending college
virtually, the interaction between the
students and the unions moved to virtual
too.
It was a very different experience from
meeting the students on Freshers day
and chatting to them or being swamped
by students seeking to join up for their
freebies! Instead representatives from
each of the unions presented part of a
joint presentation to faceless/voiceless
students, which was a bit unnerving,
especially where in one platform, my
camera made me look like a spectre at the
feast, which was almost appropriate as it
was nearly Hallowe’en!
To encourage students to sign up, we
produced a joint video, https://www.into.
ie/ni/join/students/ and posted this on
Recruitment fairs
2nd prize Student Prize Winners 2020
winner,
Alana Doyle, Due to COVID-19, usual recruitment One4All Vouchers:
UU, and 3rd fairs could not take place so students 1st prize £150
prize winner who joined using our new online 2nd prize £100
Adam application form before 31 October 3rd prize £50
Maginnis, were entered into a prize draw for per college/university.
QUB
One4All Vouchers
ANON Queen’s University 1st Prize £150
Alan Campbell University of Ulster 1st Prize £150
Niamh McNally St. Mary’s University College 1st Prize £150
Shauneen Maguire Stranmillis University College 1st Prize £150
ANON Queen’s University 2nd Prize £100
Alana Doyle University of Ulster 2nd Prize £100
Natasha McClory St. Mary’s University College 2nd Prize £100
Rachael Hall Stranmillis University College 2nd Prize £100
Adam Maginnis Queen’s University 3rd Prize £50
Anna Woods University of Ulster 3rd Prize £50
Lauren Gormley St. Mary’s University College 3rd Prize £50
ANON Stranmillis University College 3rd Prize £50
PRINTOUT 16 JANUARY 2021INTO news
Another
Fine Mess
On 28th July 2020, Education Minister, stick to their decision
Peter Weir, announced the appointment Committee, have been requesting must be noted. However,
of an Expert Panel to examine and that due to the current while INTO has
address the links between educational pandemic, the Minister, welcomed this decision,
underachievement and social AQE, PPTC and the it is time to again visit
disadvantage. grammar schools should the issue of academic
The panel was established under find an alternative to selection. Had the
the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ using academic selection. minister taken a decision
agreement which set out the These calls have been similar to the decision
requirement for an expert group ignored, with the minister on GCSE and A level
“to examine and address links of education continually examinations, i.e. to
between persistent educational trotting out the mantra cancel these unregulated
underachievement and socio-economic that he has no control tests, then time would
background.” over the use of such tests have been available to
While the Minister was lauded as they are coming from have a proper, robust
for moving forward on this, his private companies. This discussion in respect
decisions and actions following the is despite his department to how pupils can best
announcement, in relation to the use of moving the date for the transfer to post primary
unregulated selection tests have totally transfer procedure to education that would be
undermined this panel. be completed, and yet Mark McTaggart fair and equitable.
Siobhan O’Neill, the Stormont the executive have used Assistant Northern Secretary It is now more urgent
Interim Mental Health Champion, on their powers to close hair than ever, given the
Radio Ulster, was scathing regarding the salons, pubs and other such private debacle around this year’s procedure,
negative impact that the failings of the businesses due to the current pandemic. that the use of academic selection as
Minister may have had on the mental On Tuesday 5th January 2021, both of a criteria for transfer from primary to
health and wellbeing of a large number the providers of the unregulated tests post-primary school be reviewed, as
of 10- and 11-year olds across the north. appeared to announce that this year’s part of the major review of education
It was her contention that unregulated tests would be cancelled. By the time of that was announced last term. It is
tests should be abandoned this school the BBC’s 6:30 evening news broadcast, important that there is clarity for all
year, and also in November 2021. the AQE group had reneged on this in relation to this, as the continued
Since schools closed in March 2020, decision and announced that there will uncertainty serves only to heighten the
INTO, along with other teaching be a single test for pupils on Saturday levels of stress and emotional wellbeing
unions and politicians from across the 27th February 2021. of the pupils, parents, teachers and
assembly and the Stormont Education The fact that PPTC have agreed to principals involved.
PRINTOUT 17 JANUARY 2021Nuacht CMÉ
Health and Safety in Schools
INTO, recognising the significant and Gallagher who organised and ran the b. investigate complaints by any
increased Health and safety issues for virtual aspect of the course via Zoom and employee he/she represents relating
teachers returning to schools this term, ensured it all went smoothly. to that employee’s health, safety or
worked with the ICTU to put together INTO also provided members with welfare at work;
some online courses on Managing H&S a webinar on stress management in c. make representations to the employer
during Covid-19. Consequently two recognition of the stresses in teaching on matters arising out of
accredited courses were run, one for INTO generally and the increased stresses for sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) above;
Health and Safety Reps and a second all in the current climate. This webinar, d. make representations to the employer
course for School Leaders. There were also by ICTU tutor Roisin Graham, will be on general matters affecting the
four modules consisting of: available soon on the INTO website. health, safety or welfare at work of the
• Covid-19 and the workplace. employees at the workplace;
The Role of INTO Health and safety e. carry out inspections in accordance
• Relevant protection legislation.
Reps with Regulations 5, 6 and 7 below;
• Understanding and carrying out risk This term saw an increase in the number f. represent the employees he/she was
assessments. of members putting themselves forward appointed to represent in consultations
• Role of the Competent Person./ Rights, as INTO Health and Safety Reps and as a at the workplace with inspectors of the
roles and functions of a H&S rep. result a number of questions have arisen, Health and Safety Executive and of any
for those unable to attend the course, as other enforcing authority;
The course is accredited by OCN at level 2 to their role and responsibilities. The INTO g. receive information from inspectors in
and learners had to complete a workbook section on the website for Health and accordance with section 28(8) of the
and some additional independent Safety Reps is currently being updated 1974 Act; and
learning. The two courses were very well but in the meantime here is some h. attend meetings of safety committees
received by those attending, which was information for Reps and Principals. where he/she attends in his/her
a substantial commitment in their own The Role of the INTO Health and Safety capacity as a safety representative
time of four three hour sessions. The two Representative is to represent members in connection with any of the above
ICTU tutors, Roisin Graham and Barbara on any issues that could reasonably affect functions; but, without prejudice
Martin were excellent and answered all their Health, Safety and Welfare. They to sections 7 and 8 of the 1974
the questions the participants threw at have a legal right to: Act, no function given to a safety
them, with very helpful responses to a. investigate potential hazards and representative by this paragraph shall
current everyday issues facing schools dangerous occurrences at the be construed as imposing any duty on
in Covid. This was greatly appreciated workplace (whether or not they are him/her.
by the participants as school leaders, drawn to his/her attention by the
in particular, highlighted difficulties in employees he/she represents) and to Further information and training will be
getting straight answers anywhere. The examine the causes of accidents at the available on the INTO website in due
tutors were very ably assisted by Tony workplace; course.
PRINTOUT 18 JANUARY 2021You can also read
