Talks: "Productive"

Following last term's solid strike action by NUT and NASUWT members at Park, a meeting was held earlier this week between regional officials of the two unions, and representatives of the Sussex Downs College management. These talks were described by the unions as "productive."

More information will follow in due course.

Solidarity

The dispute at Park has generated much interest across the country. Below are just a few messages of solidarity and support from colleagues across the country:

“Please could you pass on my message of support to teachers at Park College. The management at Park should be supporting their staff and supporting education not seeking to attack teachers. It's really good that you are fighting back against this. If your management get away with it - then others will try” Kevin Courtney, Camden NUT and Executive Member

"Please pass on my solidarity to the members involved." Simon Jones, NUT Executive

"Please pass on a message of support from myself and the Barking and Dagenham Division of the NUT to the Park College teachers taking strike action." Dominic Byrne, Barking and Dagenham NUT and Executive Member

"What a shameful attack from a foolish Board - I hope they live to feelshame. Say no to expeditious and immoral initiatives and campaign forcommon sense. Take ye not the road to, for example Harlow and SouthendColleges! Fight, fight and fight again to save to contracts we need. Wishing you good fortune and fortitude in your struggle." Jack Davies - City and Islington Sixth Form Colege.

"I'd like to send you a message of support from Barnsley NUT. If you are facing trying times then you will need determination and courage. I'm sure you have it in abundance." Roy Bowser Barnsley NUT President

"Please pass on a message of support from myself and Lewisham NUT:

DON’T UNDERMINE STAFF
DON’T UNDERMINE STUDENTS
DON’T UNDERMINE EDUCATION
Keep it Park!" Martin Powell-Davies, Lewisham NUT

"On behalf of everyone at Birmingham NUT, I would like to send a message of support to the teachers at Park College, and to wish them every success with their campaign."
Netta Ford, Birmingham NUT


"Please sent the members of the NUT & NASUWT my greetings and support fortheir stand against the damaging and unnecessary changes proposed to ParkCollege. We must continue to stand up for what we know to be right!! Thosein power must listen to the community made up of students, parents andteachers. Together we can be strong!" Gill Goodswen, National Vice President, NUT

"All the best in your fight." Jeff Bates, Westminster NUT

"Sutton NUT sends a message to NUT and NASUWT members at Park College in support of their action on pay. We appreciate your stand on behalf of all school teachers." Kate Daly, Sutton NUT.

"Please pass support to striking members at Park College from Redbridge NUT. This one they can definately win!!" Stuart McConnell, Redbridge NUT

What Can I Do ?

By popular demand, the action list for those who want to help the campaign, that was given out at our public meeting:

1. Sign the petition to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, by clicking here. We already have more than 300 signatures !
2. If you are on Facebook- click here to join the support group. Over 450 have !
3. Write to Sussex Downs Corporation members, via the clerk, Richard Coombs, at Sussex Downs Campus at Cross Levels Way, Eastbourne, BN21 2UF. There is a list of members in the post below !
4. Write or e-mail your local MP (even if you are a student, parent or concerned person who lives outside Eastbourne, but in the area reasonably served by the college, your local MP should respond to your concern.)
5. Write to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls MP, at DCSF, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BT.
6. Wear the badge, and talk to your friends, family, neighbours about your wish to keep Park College as a dedicated Sixth Form “brand” within Sussex Downs.

Accountability ?

In answer to a number of parents and students who asked questions about the accountability at SDC- in particular, who the Governors were and how they could be contacted- we publish the following list of the SDC Governing Body ("the Corporation")

DICK HOLSTE: Chair of the corporation, a former senior manager in the banking industry. Director of Sussex County Cricket Club.

DR CHRIS DUCKLING: Vice chair. Engineer and MD of the company Many Oaks Consultancy Ltd.

DAN BARRATT OBE: Retired former director of Llewellyns. President of the Eastbourne Conservative Party.

JOHN CRAWFORD: Chief Executive of Lewes District Council

FIONA CURRIE: Chartered Accountant for Price and Company.

TONY FEEK: Retired army officer. Formerly clerk to the East Sussex Lietenancy. Also a governor of Whitehawk Primary school.

SALLY GAUSDEN: Chartered Accountant at Perkins Copeland.

PEGGY HALL: Solicitor: Partner at Mayo Wynne Baxter.

BRIAN HIGGINS: Retired Sales and Marketing manager. Former Conservative Group leader on Eastbourne Borough Council.

IAN JUNGIUS: Headteacher of Willingdon Community School since 1993.

NATASHA KEELEY: Student member from the Eastbourne Campuses.

BENJI LAMB: Student member from the Lewes Campus.

AMANDA LIVINGSTONE: Support Staff governor

MO LAN MARKEY: Trustee Board member of Sompriti, a charitable organisation.

GRAHAM MARSDEN: Retired teacher, Conservative Councillor on Eastbourne Borough Council (former Mayor and Leader of the Council)

KIERAN MCNAMARA: Senior officer (Head of Strategic Economic Development and Europe) at East Sussex County Council

HOWARD MEDWAY: Teaching staff representative.

NICOLA SMITH: Principal lecturer at Brighton University.

MARIAN TREW: Former university lecturer, also at the University of Brighton.

and... of course...

DR JOHN BLAKE: Principal and Chief Executive of Sussex Downs College.

All governors can be contacted via the clerk to the Governors, who is Mr Richard Coombs, and is based at the Eastbourne campus.

NUT and NASUWT Action: Solid

Once again, teachers were prepared to take action in defence of their terms and conditions, and to demonstrate their determination to keep Park as a centre of Sixth Form excellence. Members of the NUT and NASUWT mounted a solid strike, with pickets covering all entrances to the college. A number of students and parents also gave their support to the action- pictured, and hundreds of leaflets were taken.

A big THANK YOU to all of those motorists who hooted their support !

A big THANK YOU to all of you who took leaflets !

A big THANK YOU to the people of Eastbourne who are standing with us in this campaign.

Eastbourne speaks !

A big thank you to the 180+ people who joined us at Eastbourne Town Hall last night for a very positive public meeting about the situation at Park College. It was particularly pleasing to hear such eloquent and passionate comments from the "floor" with contributions from students, parents, local councillors and other members of the public.

NUT and NASUWT members will be taking a further day of strike action tomorrow, in support of the fair deal that the public so clearly support- and to keep Park as a place of excellence.

Have your Say !

There will be an open meeting about the ongoing dispute at Park College this MONDAY (18th May) at Eastbourne Town Hall, starting at 7.30 pm

It will be an opportunity to hear from teachers' representatives and others in the community. Most importantly, it will be a chance for people in the town to ask questions, and to have their say.

The guest speakers will be:

DAVE BRINSON (East Sussex NUT- and former Park Student President, 1995-6)
STEPHEN LLOYD (Local Liberal Democrat campaigner)
ERIC SKYTE (National Executive Member, NASUWT)
DAVID FORD (Musician, and former Park College student)
We are also hoping to have a speaker from the Sussex Downs' branch of the lecturers' union UCU.

The meeting will be organised to allow maximum opportunity for contributions and questions from the floor. Please come along, listen, have your say and show your support !