UNISON Celebrates Stars in Our Schools

On Friday 24th November, schools across the South East joined in the celebrations for UNISON’s ‘Stars in our Schools’. UNISON organises this nationwide celebration of the hard work by dedicated staff tucked away behind the scenes of our schools – from cleaners to catering staff, teaching and classroom assistants to technicians,admin workers to maintenance staff
and many more. UNISON South East head of local government, Steve Brazier said

“Classroom assistants, school meal staff, technicians, cleaners, and many others do essential work keeping kids safe, healthy, and learning. They deal with difficult situations and go beyond the call of duty, while coping with school budgets squeezed by rising costs and demand. “Saying ‘thank you’ to support staff is the least we can do, and it’s been great seeing colleagues, students
and parents get involved. So much of the work of educating young people
is down to these stars, and we want to see them valued and respected
appropriately”.

UNISON Surrey County held brilliant events across the county including at Winston School, Warlingham School and Oxted. Deputy Branch Secretary Paul Couchman said:

“About 20 schools in Surrey participated this year. The most yet. From full-blown celebratory receptions to low-key gift-giving, all support staff involved seemed to appreciate being appreciated on this special day.

Given the difficult economic climate, anxieties over school funding, pay and constant reorganisations this was a day of celebration and positivity. We still have to deal with those things but for at least one day per year we can just celebrate the role our members play in the lives of the next generation.”

Events were also organised by UNISON Kent Branch, with a great event hosted at Simon Stock School in Maidstone. Suzanne Barman Finance and H&S Manager for the school said:

” The schools motto is ‘work with love.’ I really feel it with the unending support and hard work from the administration team, learning, lab techs, assistants and kitchen staff”

The day was a great success for both schools and UNISON with new members signing up to the union and members coming forward to more active in UNISON.