Message of support from UNISON general secretary @andreaegangs.bsky.social on behalf of Tom Barker, a teaching assistant and UNISON steward at Ash Field Academy.

Academisation has led to variable transparency, weak local accountability and decision making processes that are often remote from parents, staff and communities. Unions have published a joint-statement on government plans for every state school to join an academy trust.

A full house in Leeds today as school support staff come together to share experiences and build skills. 👏 Kicking off with e-safety expert Karl Hopwood on online safety and the challenges for children and schools. #OnlineSafety #Schools #USchools26

🎓📊 Sutton Trust polling shows schools are cutting support for Send pupils as staff numbers fall. UNISON says education reforms will fail without properly funded support staff. Ministers must match ambition with resources. unsn.uk/491MXr2

Media debate on school meals often misses the bigger picture.  Many schools have contracted-out their catering to private sector firms who profit from providing poor quality food, cutting staff pay and cutting the resources that school kitchens need.

🚨 Get ready for the elections on 7 May ✍🏼 Register to vote by 20 April 📮 Apply for a postal vote by 20 April  🪪 Apply for Voter ID by 28 April - if you don't have a passport or driving licence (England only) 🔗 unsn.uk/4dvY3b5

If you missed our webinar on 11 March, 'Improving Air Quality in Schools: Leaders making it happen' you can watch the recording here: youtu.be/kczgMQ5Ds6M?...

UNISON GS @andreaegangs.bsky.social joins hundreds of school support staff on picket lines as strike action began across 22 schools in East Midlands. Andrea heard first-hand about the impact of planned pay cuts and job losses and took a message of solidarity from our members - we stand with you! ✊💜

Happy #TECHOGNITION day! This one-day event celebrates the work of school and college technicians, showcasing their vast range of skills and the variety of tasks that these jobs entail. Show your support and get involved techognition.org/how-to-take-...

LAST CHANCE to enter your school food or food education hero for a Jamie Oliver award! The #GoodSchoolFoodAwards nominations close midnight, March 12th. Know someone that deserves to be celebrated? >>> www.jamieoliver.com/schoolfoodawards/apply 🥇🏆💛

Clean Air in Schools: Leaders Making it Happen 11 March, 4pm Join our webinar, held in partnership with education unions and @crfoundationus.bsky.social, to explore the experiences of schools on their journey to improve indoor air for students and staff. Register now: bit.ly/unisonair

💜 UNISON’s Step into Spring grant opens at 12 noon on Thursday 19 March 2026 and is available for 24 hours. Eligible members can get a £30 voucher towards the cost of essentials. Find out how to apply ⬇️ unsn.uk/stepintospring

There is a ‘big strategic gap in the White Paper’ around TAs’ roles, Rob Webster warns Read: www.twinkl.co.uk/l/lrypu

UNISON statement on NEU vote to withdraw from school support staff agreement.

Reports this week about the social media trend promoting ‘school wars’ may cause UNISON members concern for the welfare of pupils and their own safety. Any incidents or threats of violence should be reported to prevent escalation. UNISON resources at www.unison.org.uk/about-2/scho...

What’s missing from SEND reform? A clear, national strategy for #teaching assistants. Without defined roles, training, funding & boundaries with health, #inclusion risks becoming unsustainable, says Joanna Parry – @unisoninschools.bsky.social – writing in SecEd: buff.ly/Tg5Z6Qd #schools #edusky

UNISON tells the DfE to ‘articulate more clearly what role teaching assistants are expected to play’ in SEND reforms @unisoninschools.bsky.social Read: www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1i9lp5

Support staff in UNISON are stronger together 💜 Thousands of support staff are uniting to build a stronger UNISON in their school - learn more at unsn.uk/3Ov5Yeh

Happy #worldbookday. School libraries offer far more than a repository for books. They are community hubs where school librarians guide students through their unique reading journey, develop key critical thinking/research skills, and offer tailored support to students with SEND.

“It was the lower-paid schools support staff that were keeping schools open.” One teaching assistant described the lack of proper infection control as ’terrifying’ Mike Short, head of local government giving evidence to the Covid-19 inquiry. @unisoninschools.bsky.social

Clean Air in Schools: Leaders Making it Happen 11 March, 4pm Join our webinar, held in partnership with education unions and @crfoundationus.bsky.social, to explore the experiences of schools on their journey to improve indoor air for students and staff. Register now: bit.ly/unisonair

@unisoninschools.bsky.social launches TA survey: ‘We need strong evidence’ for SSSNB Read: www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1cd24d

What’s missing from SEND reform? A clear, national strategy for #teaching assistants. Without defined roles, training, funding & boundaries with health, #inclusion risks becoming unsustainable, says Joanna Parry – @unisoninschools.bsky.social – writing in SecEd: buff.ly/Tg5Z6Qd #schools #edusky

SEND reforms ‘fall short’ if teaching assistants are sidelined, Westminster Forum told by @georginadurrant.bsky.social Read: www.twinkl.co.uk/l/i82od

Clean Air in Schools: Leaders Making it Happen 11 March, 4pm Join our webinar, held in partnership with education unions and @crfoundationus.bsky.social , to explore the experiences of schools on their journey to improve indoor air for students and staff. Register now: bit.ly/unisonair

The #GoodSchoolFoodAwards nominations are OPEN until March 12! Time to shine a light on the incredible people transforming school food. Nominate your hero (or school) for a @jamieoliver award here: www.jamieoliver.com/schoolfoodawards/apply/

With over 250,000 school support staff members UNISON is the largest union negotiating pay, terms & conditions - by joining UNISON, getting involved, and standing with your colleagues, you can help build a future where school support staff are valued, respected and fairly rewarded 💜 unsn.uk/3Ov5Yeh

Great day with members at the UNISON North West Schools Seminar 💜 We discussed the new School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) and national minimum standards for school support staff, with @andreaegangs.bsky.social We left inspired to establish even more school champions across our regions!

We expect a pay offer for school staff covered by the NJC next month and every UNISON member affected will get a vote on it. Keep an eye on our campaign web page for all the latest news: unsn.uk/4u01vAD So make sure you're a UNISON member to have your say on your pay!

As we prepare for the SEND reforms tomorrow, @unisoninschools.bsky.social warns changes must ‘recognise and reward’ teaching assistants  Read: www.twinkl.co.uk/l/bzcgl

💬 “Cutting the disadvantage gap is key if every child is to achieve and thrive.” UNISON says the education white paper must ensure special educational needs funding goes where it’s needed, and that support staff are properly recognised and fairly paid. unsn.uk/4c4KsH1

Clean Air in Schools: Leaders Making it Happen 11 March, 4pm Join our webinar, held in partnership with education unions and @crfoundationus.bsky.social, to explore the experiences of schools on their journey to improve indoor air for students and staff. Register now: bit.ly/unisonair

As part of @tuc.org.uk's Year of Climate Action, @ucu.org.uk are holding x2 workshops ahead of the Education Unions Climate Festival on 14 March. The first, 'embedding Climate Education in the curriculum', is on 4 Feb. @unison.org.uk members can sign up for free. cpd.web.ucu.org.uk/events/embed...

On #HolocaustMemorialDay, we reflect on the horrors of the past and renew our commitment to preventing such atrocities in the future.  Together, we pledge to speak out against hatred and discrimination #LightTheDarkness🕯️

Education unions are calling on the government, employers, and technology providers to commit to involving educators and their unions at every stage of AI and EdTech adoption. AI alone cannot fix underfunding, staff shortages and overwhelming workloads. Read more here 👇

🌱 Join us for the official launch of UNISON’s Year of Green Activity! 📅 : Tuesday 13 January, 12.30-1.30pm 📍 Online Find out what’s happening throughout the year and how you can take part 💚 ✅ Free to attend. Register now ⬇️ unsn.uk/4aP03tM

Your UNISON Wrapped 2025 📊💜 Thank you to all our members, activists, branches and staff for a fantastic year. Here's to a successful 2026.

 Christmas Rewards! 🎄🛍️ As a UNISON member you can save £££’s on discounted gift vouchers and shopping cards and get cashback from top retailers such as Argos, Currys, M&S, IKEA, Boots, and more. unsn.uk/4f9DKgL

School support staff are the backbone of education – but a @unisoninschools.bsky.social survey reveals a workforce under strain: unpaid hours, shrinking teams, low pay... Joanna Parry explains why this is a risk for every pupil & every school: buff.ly/zM969Xc #teaching #edusky #education

School support staff are the backbone of education – but a @unisoninschools.bsky.social survey reveals a workforce under strain: unpaid hours, shrinking teams, low pay... Joanna Parry explains why this is a risk for every pupil & every school: buff.ly/zM969Xc #teaching #edusky #education

This Thurs, the UKCIS (UK Council for Internet Safety) is presenting a session for UNISON members working in schools on the role that schools have in keeping children safe online and will look at the statutory requirements that must be followed. Sign up Now! learning.unison.org.uk/events/suppo...

Join the national conversation on SEND! School support staff are invited to join Schools Minister Georgia Gould online tomorrow for a discussion on early SEND reform: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/conversati...

School support staff are the backbone of education – but a @unisoninschools.bsky.social survey reveals a workforce under strain: unpaid hours, shrinking teams, low pay... Joanna Parry explains why this is a risk for every pupil & every school: buff.ly/zM969Xc #teaching #edusky #education

This International Day for the Abolition of Slavery we focus on modern slavery and migrant workers. Migrant workers are especially vulnerable to exploitation. The health and care visa ties workers to their employers and and cases of modern day slavery are on the rise. unsn.uk/40fbIvx

#starsinourschools and #earlyyearsstars day is here 🥳! The work you do in our schools and early years settings is essential, keeping children safe and healthy in a supportive environment where they learn and flourish. Without you, schools and early years settings would not function. ⭐THANK YOU⭐

🗓️ One day to go! We would love to see how you’ll be celebrating Stars in Our Schools and Early Years Stars tomorrow, share your pics and don’t forget to use #starsinourschools #earlyyearsstars in your posts ➡️ unsn.uk/3NNeEc9 @UNISONinSchools

Join 100s of educators and activists from across the education spectrum for a day of critical discussion exploring the role of educators in organising for a just transition. At Regents High School, London on Saturday 14 March 2026. Claim your free ticket here: buytickets.at/ministryofec...

School support staff help keep schools clean, safe and fed. They are superstars who deserve to be celebrated so nominate a star for our prize draw today - www.starsinourschools.uk/nominate-a-s... @UNISONinSchools

Well said, TUC! 💜 Education workers across Wales gave everything to keep children safe and learning during the pandemic. They deserve recognition and respect. Read the full TUC statement: www.tuc.org.uk/news/wales/s...

The three recognised school support staff unions have agreed a joint statement on school support staff, concerning the TUC Disputes Committee's decision to uphold our complaint regarding the NEU. Find out more and read the statement here: unsn.uk/sssunion