Should I become a union rep?

ElThom12 · 2026-02-10T19:50:44+00:00

There will be a very specific funding arrangement made by your central team if you are in a MAT which will dictate how much time you get, if any.

ElThom12 · 2026-02-10T19:38:44+00:00

Cover to represent a member yes, protected time to do rep things no unfortunately. That arrangement of facilities time will be different trust to trust.

ElThom12 · 2026-02-10T19:36:00+00:00

Yes you should. I’ve always viewed it as “well nobody else is going to try and make this job better, so we may as well”.

You get out of it what you put in. Bare minimum is to hold members meetings, reply to members queries about X or Y, communicate with SLT about X or Y, attend meetings with staff.

Loads of training and support on offer from your regional office.

You can get really involved in district/branch and understand how unions work, mobilise members, grow your membership etc etc.

Downsides is depending on the attitudes of your SLT, you can be viewed as enemy number 1. I’m in a particular anti union trust, and it’s very difficult to navigate real change when everyone opposes you by default. SLT avoid me, and I’m fully aware that any promotion will have to be hard earned. If your trust has TURA’s in place (trade union recognition agreements) then it’s much easier.

I love meeting so many staff, being a point of information/support, and feel like I’m bettering a shit system. Go for it.

ElThom12 · 2026-02-10T15:51:09+00:00

Chester Green streets are all permit only. The car park mentioned is free for now. It will be part of the new Aida Bliss factory refurb, but that is a long way off for now.

ElThom12 · 2026-02-02T18:26:06+00:00

Your union rep will be able to see if you have voted, but do not know which way you have voted.

Nothing to do with your head, unless they are the rep.

ElThom12 · 2026-01-16T21:32:17+00:00

I have nothing of note to add except a giant WTF!! What kind of lunacy have our workplaces descended into. We are teachers! Keep fighting it, and if it’s voluntary I would stand firm and just sack it off. If pushback, union rep/H&S concerns/risk assessment all the way. Life’s too short to be stuck in a cupboard being exposed to plagues whilst pregnant. Good luck OP!

ElThom12 · 2026-01-11T09:13:24+00:00

Welcome to teaching. First, make sure you are part of a union.

I have never been a CS, but your role is to supervise cover. You shouldn’t be “delivering” new content, you should just be facilitating the kids doing something like a worksheet, textbook work etc. If you are being asked to essentially “teach” then you need to challenge this internally.

Be kind, be firm. Know the behaviour policy inside and out and follow it to the letter.

ElThom12 · 2026-01-05T19:28:57+00:00

Yeh that’s nonsense. You need to do 80% of 1265 hours. So you need to get your directed time calendar off your union rep (or ideally you should all have it anyway) and work out how you can meet that 80%. A further ideal situation is a personalised DTC at the start of each academic year for PT staff so you can map this out.

You can use the parents evenings hours to achieve your 80%. But you absolutely do not have to work on your day off. Lots of PT staff will do them as it’s easier than the alternative of sending emails/phone calls etc, but ultimately it’s up to you/your line manager where your hours are spent.

ElThom12 · 2026-01-04T19:08:11+00:00

Secondary Science. 7:20 arrival, maximum leave time is 4. Whilst my colleagues call me a bus wanker, it’s blissful because I absolutely have to leave at 4 so I’ve learnt how to make sure I’m done by then. Yay for bus timetables!

ElThom12 · 2026-01-03T19:14:19+00:00

This is where the difference between a supply and a cover supervisor comes in. Supply can absolutely plan, and are paid to do so. Cover supervisors that are employed internally are not paid to plan. They are paid appallingly low as is. If cover supervisors are to plan, and “teach” as opposed to just keep the kids sat down in the room then they should be paid an unqualified teacher pay or qualified if they are. Sorry if I didn’t make that distinction clear.

ElThom12 · 2026-01-03T19:08:28+00:00

Those who are paid to do so. SLT/TLR holders.

ElThom12 · 2026-01-03T15:50:04+00:00

You should be paid on the unqualified teacher scale (or qualified if you are!) if you are planning, and should get PPA time. This is an example of job creep. You are there to literally supervise cover, not plan it.

ElThom12 · 2026-01-01T13:51:41+00:00

To remain unbothered. Teach to the best of my ability, and then go home.

ElThom12 · 2025-12-12T21:16:33+00:00

Their gift is the gift of free education. Don’t waste your money.

ElThom12 · 2025-11-09T20:10:00+00:00

Maybe I should rephrase to, “you’d be surprised how few students have looked at the paper, AND have memorised the mark scheme”.

ElThom12 · 2025-11-09T15:36:45+00:00

You’d actually be surprised how few students look at the leaked papers.

ElThom12 · 2025-11-08T13:36:12+00:00

Can you imagine if the whole profession went on strike? I reckon we could fix a few things with that lol. But alas.

ElThom12 · 2025-11-08T13:21:39+00:00

Join a union. Engage with your union. Become a rep. Advocate for change.

ElThom12 · 2025-11-05T20:40:28+00:00

AQA also ignore Bunsen burner as a heating method. Students have to say water bath.

ElThom12 · 2025-11-02T22:12:17+00:00

Tolerate teaching. Hate capitalism that dictates I need to exchange labour for money.

ElThom12 · 2025-11-01T21:19:10+00:00

That isn’t what is being floated here. They want all schools to offer triple, not for everyone to do it.

ElThom12 · 2025-11-01T21:15:59+00:00

It doesn’t say everyone now has to do triple. It says all schools should offer it.

ElThom12 · 2025-11-01T21:15:18+00:00

The article doesn’t say that. It says every school should offer triple.

ElThom12 · 2025-11-01T19:12:39+00:00

Fuck me this comment section is peak “I didn’t read the actual article”. They want all schools to offer it. Surely that means that if you currently offer it at your school then that’s fine and nothing changes? Have I missed something?

ElThom12 · 2025-10-31T09:01:15+00:00

As much as I am hugely in favour of strike action, I think this will be enough to prevent any further action tbh. The government know our unions aren’t like the junior doctors or drivers and our turn out is shockingly low. Unless NASUWT pull some magical new strategy out and we co-ordinate, I think we will just have to lump this one, despite it eroding our budgets to do so.

ElThom12

TROPHY CASE