General secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions GAWAIN LITTLE calls for support and participation in the national partnership organised to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1926 general strike
It's all kicking off in the classrooms
Teacher ROBERT POOLE reflects on the year past and the year to come, as education staff prepare to fight the government not just for their rights, but for the future and purpose of schooling itself

AS always, there is never a shortage of educational news, but the last year exposed the ineptitude of a government that misplaced nearly £400 million in funding for schools because they forgot there were two new council areas and it turns out that several schools were built with crumbling concrete.
It turns out that cutting funding for the building of new schools has consequences.
Tory austerity has had several other negative results. Unseen, of course, to policy-makers, but obvious to the historical materialists among us. Cheating on exams is up, school absences are up and mental health issues among young people are up.
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From colonialism to the Troubles, the story of England’s first colony is one of exploitation, resistance, and solidarity — and one we should fight to ensure is told, writes teacher ROBERT POOLE

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ROBERT POOLE reports back from his mission to Cuba delivering aid and learning from Cuban educators

After an inspiring meeting in Bolton Socialist Club addressed by a visitor from the Cuban Ministry of Higher Education, teacher ROBERT POOLE reflects on what we can learn from the education system in Cuba