Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by UNISON in Schools

SecEd @seced.bsky.social · 5h

Too many support staff in #schools are asked to take on significant healthcare roles, often having to manage complex conditions despite not being health professionals. Joanna Parry – @unison.org.uk – says something has to change: buff.ly/5TfDEEq #teaching #education

Schools and healthcare: ‘An accident waiting to happen’ - SecEd

Survey findings from UNISON show support staff are forced to take on increasingly complex healthcare roles in schools

buff.ly

2

UNISON in Schools @unisoninschools.bsky.social · 6h

The joint union guidance on ventilation in schools and colleges has been updated. Good ventilation and measures to clean the air will help reduce sickness absence and therefore help maximise attendance.
Download the guidance: www.unison.org.uk/content/uplo...

www.unison.org.uk

UNISON in Schools @unisoninschools.bsky.social · 6d

This is an incredibly moving testimony from Angharad, a UNISON Cymru school support worker, about working through the Covid-19 pandemic. Thank you to Angharad for sharing her story.

UNISON Cymru @unisoncymru.bsky.social · 6d

"School staff put children’s welfare first in the pandemic.” Watch UNISON School Support Staff Forum vice chair, Angharad, talk about life in school hubs during covid.

TUC Cymru @tuccymru.bsky.social · 6d

“It was a horrible, horrible time – because you felt powerless.”

Angharad is a Teaching Assistant and worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hear Angharad’s first-hand account of the risks to life taken by school staff, as the @ukcovid-19inquiry.bsky.social now takes evidence on schools.

1

Reposted by UNISON in Schools

Hannah Harris @tadigest.bsky.social · 14d

We can’t keep losing committed teaching assistants to supermarkets, warns union leader

Read: www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1jzb1r

1 1

UNISON in Schools @unisoninschools.bsky.social · 16d

💜 There for You – UNISON’s charity – is opening its
Seasonal Food Fund 2025 tomorrow! Get ready to apply.
www.unison.org.uk/.../there......

🗓️ Opens 12 noon, Tue 30 Sept – 24hrs only
💷 £30 voucher per eligible household member
👨‍👩‍👧 For those on low income/in financial difficulty

Basket of groceries with text: Seasonal Food Fund. UNISON and There for You logos

1

Reposted by UNISON in Schools

UNISON @unison.org.uk · Sep 9

UNISON North West young member Zaihera Chaudhry asks Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson about the new School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) and if she will ensure consistency in how school staff are paid and evaluated #TUC25 @unisoninschools.bsky.social

2 2

Reposted by UNISON in Schools

UNISON @unison.org.uk · Aug 21

Good luck to all those awaiting results today! 🍀

Thank you to all the other stars in our schools - the staff who have helped everyone throughout the school years and continue to support them as they step into their future! 💫

Stars on a purple gradient background. 'Good luck to all students on results day!'

7 8

UNISON in Schools @unisoninschools.bsky.social · Aug 7

"Without school support staff, schools would collapse.”

Read the latest article from UNISON about why the School Support Staff Negotiating Body is so important.
new.express.adobe.com/webpage/n95v...

school support staff

A story told with Adobe Express

new.express.adobe.com

2 1

Reposted by UNISON in Schools

UNISON @unison.org.uk · Aug 5

What have the trade unions ever done for us? Join former national radio host turned UNISON East Midlands communications guy Chris Birks as we answer that question and many more in this light-hearted journey through the world of trade unions. sites.libsyn.com/509048

Together in UNISON

What have the trade unions ever done for us? Join former national radio host turned UNISON East Midlands communications guy Chris Birks as we answer that question and many more in this light-hearted…

sites.libsyn.com

4 4

UNISON in Schools @unisoninschools.bsky.social · Jul 23

Members in England, Cymru and Northern Ireland: an agreement has now been reached on pay. Our priority is to make sure members receive this pay rise as soon as possible.

UNISON @unison.org.uk · Jul 23

🚨UPDATE – following the consultation of members working in councils and schools, an agreement has been reached to accept the Employers' offer of 3.2%. Emails to branches and members have been sent out today. Visit the campaign page for more information: unsn.uk/4l3jq3W

2 4

UNISON in Schools @unisoninschools.bsky.social · Jul 18

School support staff in England, today is your last chance to take part in the Department for Education's consultation about the School Support Staff Negotiating Body. If you've not yet taken part please take a few minutes to do so now.
consult.education.gov.uk/school-suppo...

Setting up the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) - Department for Education - Citizen Space

Find and participate in consultations run by the Department for Education

consult.education.gov.uk

3

UNISON in Schools @unisoninschools.bsky.social · Jul 15

School support staff in England - there are only a few days left to take part in the Department for Education's consultation about the School Support Staff Negotiating Body. If you've not yet taken part please take a few minutes to do so now.
consult.education.gov.uk/school-suppo...

Setting up the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) - Department for Education - Citizen Space

Find and participate in consultations run by the Department for Education

consult.education.gov.uk

2 3

Reposted by UNISON in Schools

Hannah Harris @tadigest.bsky.social · Jul 15

There are only a few more days to get involved in the DfE's SSSNB consultation

It closes on 18th July 2025 at 11:59pm

Read: www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1e0asv

1

Reposted by UNISON in Schools

UNISON @unison.org.uk · Jul 15

Is it too hot to work? 🥵

Sign the TUC petition for a maximum working temperature www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/we...

UNISON guidance: www.unison.org.uk/health-and-s...

Join the TUC week of action: mass workplace inspection www.tuc.org.uk/news/workpla...

We need a maximum working temperature

Every summer, temperatures are rising and working in prolonged heat and sun can be dangerous. It can cause a number of health concerns, from dehydration and dizziness to the most serious of…

www.megaphone.org.uk

1 7 12

UNISON in Schools @unisoninschools.bsky.social · Jul 10

School workers - have your say about school food!

UNISON @unison.org.uk · Jul 10

Chefs in Schools recently polled parents about school meals, publishing the findings this morning. Now it's time for school workers to have their say - visit the campaign page to add your views and share stories about the food in your school: chefsinschools.org.uk/the-future-o...

The Future of School Food | Chefs in Schools

Campaign

chefsinschools.org.uk

4 5

Reposted by UNISON in Schools

UNISON @unison.org.uk · Jul 8

The Department for Education has launched a consultation on restoring the School Support Staff Negotiating Body - we need as many school support staff in England as possible to take part and have their say: consult.education.gov.uk/school-suppo...

Setting up the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) - Department for Education - Citizen Space

Find and participate in consultations run by the Department for Education

consult.education.gov.uk

3 6

Reposted by UNISON in Schools

UNISON @unison.org.uk · Jul 1

School support staff: Have your say now www.unison.org.uk/news/2025/07...

School support staff: Have your say now | News | News | UNISON National

UNISON is urging school support staff members in England to take part in a consultation on the make-up of their new negotiating body

www.unison.org.uk

2 4

Reposted by UNISON in Schools

News from UNISON's bargaining support team @unisonbargaining.bsky.social · Jun 30

@unison.org.uk Extreme heat at work is a critical health & safety issue - check out our guidance www.unison.org.uk/health-and-safety/health-safety-key-issues/health-and-weather-warnings-for-extreme-heat/

Extreme Heat at Work: A Critical Health and Safety Issue | Health and safety: key issues | UNISON National

Following the UKHSA and Met Office issuing a new warnings system for health impacts due to extreme heat, the following information has been update to help provide members with an additional understand...

www.unison.org.uk

6 5

UNISON in Schools @unisoninschools.bsky.social · Jun 30

Great news for staff at Outwood Grange Academies Trust! UNISON's learning agreement will ensure staff who are UNISON members can engage with training and education opportunities provided by the union wherever possible.

yorks.unison.org.uk/2025/06/26/o...

Outwood Grange Academies Trust commits to UNISON Learning Agreement | UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside

yorks.unison.org.uk

3

UNISON in Schools @unisoninschools.bsky.social · Jun 26

School support staff in England, please take a few minutes to complete the consultation.

UNISON @unison.org.uk · Jun 26

A new negotiating body for school support staff in England is being set up and we need these members to share their views! Take part in the consultation here: consult.education.gov.uk/school-suppo...

3

Reposted by UNISON in Schools

UNISON @unison.org.uk · Jun 25

OK computer?

UNISON’s AI expert Kate Jones takes questions about the impact of Artificial Intelligence on work in public services.
magazine.unison.org.uk/2025/04/10/a...

Digital illustration of a human head silhouette made of glowing blue geometric lines and triangles, with a visible gear mechanism inside the head symbolising artificial intelligence and machine learning, set against a dark starry background.

1 5

Reposted by UNISON in Schools

UNISON @unison.org.uk · Jun 19

This week the UK is experiencing a heatwave! 🌡️
What are the rules around working in the heat?
www.unison.org.uk/health-and-s...

4 7

UNISON in Schools @unisoninschools.bsky.social · Jun 19

Today is Clean Air Day.

View the recording of our joint union webinar on improving air quality in schools to find out more about the effects of ventilation as well as practical solutions to put in place to clean the air we breathe.

youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Improving Air Quality in Schools: what can we do? - YouTube

UNISON has joined with the CORSI_ROSENTIAL Foundation UK and other UK trade unions with members in education to host this webinar on exploring the impact of ...

youtube.com

3 7

UNISON in Schools @unisoninschools.bsky.social · Jun 15

So much support for this motion. Hearing lots of examples of the poor treatment of Early Years staff - highlighting why a national negotiating body is so badly needed.

4

UNISON in Schools @unisoninschools.bsky.social · Jun 15

And we've reached the final debate on education motions at Local Government Conference this afternoon, calling for a new negotiating body for Early Years workers.
#ULGC25

1 3