Today (25 November) we are celebrating ‘Stars in Our Schools’ a day dedicated to support staff in schools.
Stars in our Schools is all about the fantastic work the support staff does every day and make sure the public knows just how vital support staff are to help our children learn and develop that often isn’t recognised. Support staff cover many roles, from ones you see every day such as teaching assistants and lunchtime supervisors, to some of the more hidden roles such as cleaners and caretakers.
Schools across the region will be marking the day in different ways such as holding assemblies where children say why they love their support staff, some ‘nominate a star’ for a member of staff who deserves that extra bit of recognition and others invite MPs to see the hard work the support staff do in schools. Even though today is the day, you still have until 2 December to nominate someone by visiting our national website.
If you are doing something today, or any day, to celebrate in your school, don’t forget to tweet us @northernunison so we can share your amazing work.
Today staff at Dryden School in Gateshead received flowers from their school to thank them and celebrate #StarsinOurSchools @UNISONinSchools pic.twitter.com/ANcHB7FgwN
— UNISON Northern (@NorthernUNISON) November 25, 2016
We have been celebrating Stars in Our Schools for a few years now and it is getting bigger and bigger each year. While the day is a celebration it also has a more serious purpose of continuing to fight for fair pay, decent training and true recognition for the hard work that is done by all support staff.
I don’t think I could write about support staff in schools without mentioning the ongoing dispute with Durham County Council. We have just had another two days of strike action for our teaching assistant members who are seeing unprecedented cuts to their salary by being dismissed and reengaged, with no protection. Every single one of them is a star and does not deserve being treated this way by their employer.
#UNISON members at Marden High School, North Tyneside enjoying delicious cake for #StarsInOurSchools @UNISONinSchools pic.twitter.com/fBdusU7pJw
— UNISON Northern (@NorthernUNISON) November 25, 2016
I’ll finish by saying I hope you have been able to do something in your school. We appreciate how busy you all are so if you haven’t had time or maybe didn’t know about the day you can always celebrate with us next year. All you have to do is keep an eye out for materials coming out and get in touch with your local branch.
Clare Williams