None of these elements is capable of a precise arithmetic assessment and no such assessment is attempted, except in a general way, with respect to the time spent. A standard hourly rate, as set out below, is applied to convert the time into a monetary figure. Amounts that exceed or are less than the number of hours multiplied by the standard rates is the result of the weighing of the other elements mentioned.
Standard hourly rates are charged for the work performed by the [lawyers/paralegals] and our law clerks and for the time spent on your case. Records are kept (in our time-keeping system) by us to the nearest one tenth of an hour for all activity on your case, including conferences, telephone calls, voicemail, e-mail, preparing correspondence and memoranda, drafting documents, research and travel time. Each hour billed to you is based on actual work completed on your particular case.
Our absence from the office on your behalf is charged at the usual hourly rate. Travel time includes attending at court, settlement conferences, meetings, or consultations on your behalf. We will minimize travel expenses and courthouse time, if any, wherever we are able. Charges for travel time are in addition to the counsel fee/legal representation fee.
Where the [lawyers/paralegals] consult on your file, you are billed for the time of the [lawyers/paralegals] involved. Consultation between [lawyers/paralegals] takes place to decide work assignments on larger matters, to delegate tasks, to determine strategy and to consult on legal issues.
If there is a court case in your file, services performed in court and settlement conferences are charged on the basis of a [counsel fees/legal representation fees], calculated by the day rather than by the hour. This method attempts to account, in part, for our unavailability to other clients during these periods, and for the need to set aside fixed periods of time for a court appearance. Where the attendance is for part of a day only, the fee is apportioned accordingly.
If your appointment is for a consultation only, in order for you to receive advice on a limited number of issues, or, for example, for a second opinion, you will be billed a flat rate consultation fee payable on the conclusion of the consultation.
These rates are reduced rates and apply only if the fee is paid at the time of the consultation. The rates are calculated on the basis of the average amount of time spent by the [lawyers/paralegals] on consultations in the most recent year.
The consultation rates do not apply if you retain the firm to perform work on your behalf, nor do they apply if you return for a second meeting. In that case, you will be billed at our usual hourly rates.
We have sometimes increased our hourly rates and our [counsel fees/legal representation fees], to meet rising costs and to reflect our increased expertise. This retainer is subject to our right to make similar adjustments if circumstances should change again. Unless you are advised otherwise, our fees will be increased annually by no more than %.
In some instances it may be necessary for us to consult outside experts to assist in your case.If experts are required, we generally have our clients deal directly with the expert and make payment arrangements with the expert personally.
This direct contact also has the benefit of avoiding duplication and reducing cost.
Attached is a copy of the fee schedule charged by the Superior Court of Justice [or other tribunal], for the issuing and filing of documents in that court. These items are shown separately on our accounts, and are charged to you at cost, in addition to the fee.
The retainer is an amount paid to our firm in trust, for deposit to your credit, on the understanding that it will be used to satisfy our accounts for legal services and disbursements at the time accounts are delivered. The retainer is a source of payment for your accounts. You are expected to provide and replace the retainer when requested, as it is spent, so that we continue to have enough money in trust to cover legal services completed and necessary next steps. Until you provide us with a retainer, or replace it when it is exhausted, we will not work on your file.
The amount of the retainer should not be taken as an estimate of the cost of the completion of the work in your particular case. At this point, before the issues are clarified, and before we know the degree of resistance to be offered, we cannot predict the amount of work to be done, nor the time needed to complete it.
If we are to start negotiations on your behalf, our usual retainer is $ . If we are to begin litigation on your behalf, our usual retainer is $ to $ , depending on the urgency of the situation and the complexity of the case. If your case is already in litigation, our retainer may be more, particularly if there is much to be done or the matter is urgent.
Clients usually want to know "what will this all cost?" That's a reasonable question. But it is not possible to accurately estimate costs in advance in some cases. Many important factors which influence the cost are unknown to us, and even outside our control, including the reaction and tactics of the other side, how many different issues there will be in your case, how much time it will take to resolve all the issues, how complicated the case is, new issues which may come up, and whether we can settle this case without going to court.
In some cases, the legal issues change during the time we work for you. New issues may arise and existing issues may become more complex. We see it as our job to close your file as quickly and economically as possible, consistent with protecting your interests.
Despite these difficulties at predicting the amount of legal fees your matter may involve, we will attempt to give an estimate of the cost of legal services based on certain assumptions. You will be receiving a personalized estimate under a separate covering letter. However, understand that when the assumptions change, when new developments arise, the cost estimate may no longer be valid. We will remind you of this from time to time and attempt to correct our estimates as the case unfolds.
We prepare interim accounts on a regular basis, usually on the of the month, for fees and disbursements. If your case is very active, particularly if we are in court for you, you may get accounts from us on a more frequent basis.
This is, in part, an effort to ensure that you have a good understanding of what the case is costing you at all times. For most people, the cost of the case will be an influencing factor in decision-making about the next step to take, and the kind of response to make to the other side; in our experience, it should be. The amount of fees on the interim accounts is usually based on time spent, but where appropriate, could include an additional charge based on the other elements referred to above.
We send accounts by e-mail, if that is possible. If we cannot send your accounts to you this way, please let us know.
We accept payment of fees and disbursements by credit card, and you may consider that as an alternative in settling your outstanding accounts with us, or in providing or replacing the retainer.
The accounts are due to be paid when they are sent. If the account is not paid within 30 days, interest will be charged on the outstanding balance at the rate permitted in the Solicitors Act and shown on the account, from the date of the account until the date of payment).
We will keep you informed of all developments in your case. We will forward to you electronic or paper copies of all relevant correspondence, pleadings, other court documents, and reports. It is important to keep this material and it is to your advantage to maintain it in an organized format. If you require additional paper or electronic copies of correspondence or pleadings, we can make them available to you at our usual rates for printing, photocopying, or scanning. We suggest you keep the correspondence in one file and the pleadings and other court documents in another file and all of the documents in chronological order.
At any time, you may terminate our services by giving us written notice and paying any balance owing. If the firm is shown on court documents as your legal representative, then court records must be formally changed, in writing. Usually we can file a document that you sign, telling the court and the other side that we are not your [lawyers/paralegals] any longer.
Subject always to our obligation to ensure proper standards of professional conduct, we can also end the [solicitor-client/paralegal-client] relationship. If this should happen, we will do so in writing and we will assist in the transfer of your file, if appropriate.
If it is necessary for us to take legal steps either to end our representation of you or to collect our accounts, you will be charged for the time involved.
If you have concerns about our billing policy please advise us now so that there are no future misunderstandings.


text:
Toronto's Biltmore Theatre on Yonge St.
The Biltmore Theatre in 1948, the year it opened. City of Toronto Archives, SC 303-A
The Biltmore Theatre, built in 1948, seated almost 1000 patrons, twice the capacity of the Rio Theatre, located further north on Yonge Street, closer to Gerrard Street. When it opened, the Biltmore's main competition were the Imperial and Loew's Downtown. Both these theatres had larger seating capacities, and thus were able to afford to rent recent Hollywood releases. As a result, the Biltmore offered two features for a single admission price.
When I was a teenager in the 1950s, my friends and I rarely attended the Biltmore, since our neighbourhood movie houses satisfied our need to view older films. When we journeyed downtown we wanted to see the latest movie hits, so attended the larger theatres in the area.
The above photo gazes north on Yonge Street from near Dundas Street. The Biltmore, with its impressive sign and marquee, is on the right-hand side (east side) of Yonge Street. To the north of the theatre can be seen the turret on the Edison Hotel. It had previously been named the Princess Hotel, and it burned on 3 January 2011. Only the walls of the building survived. However, the empty shell of the building was boarded-up and unattended for a several years. The north wall of the structure eventually collapsed into the street. Then, the entire structure was demolished.
With the onslaught of television, attendance at the Biltmore dwindled. In an attempt to attract patrons, the Biltmore offered double and sometimes triple features, at a very low price, sometimes as cheap as one dollar, if you entered before 6 pm. I am told that at one time the theatre also offered five movies for the price of three dollars. In its latter years, the Biltmore screened martial arts films, action flicks and sometimes soft-core porn. However, all attempts to increase revenues failed.
The Biltmore closed in 1986, according to John Farquharson, who worked as a projectionist at the theatre. With the demise of the Biltmore, another of Toronto's old movie houses was lost. The site was used for various commercial enterprises until it was demolished in 1991 to construct the 25,000 square-foot HMV Superstore that is a part of the building complex on the northeast corner of Dundas and Yonge. Its postal address 10 Dundas St. East.
Gazing north on Yonge Street from near Dundas Street on 3 January 1950. The Biltmore Theatre is on the right-hand side of the photo. Photo is from the City of Toronto Archives.
The Biltmore in the late-1980s, shortly after it closed as an operating movie theatre. This photo gazes north on Yonge Street. The northeast corner of Yonge and Dundas Streets is in the foreground on the right-hand side. The modern neon sign to the south of the Biltmore, for the Pin Ball Arcade, at night over-shadowed the once impressive marquee of the Biltmore. The turret on the Edison Hotel is visible further north on the street. The northeast corner of Dundas and Yonge, where Mr. Submarine is located, was once the site of the famous Brown Derby Tavern. Photo is from the City of Toronto Archives.
The Biltmore at night. Photo from the blog, Torontothenandnow.blogspot.com
To view previous posts about other old movie houses of Toronto
https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/12/18/torontos-old-movie-theatrestayloronhistory-com/
To View links to Toronto's Heritage Buildings
https://tayloronhistory.com/2014/01/02/canadas-cultural-scenetorontos-architectural-heritage/
Previous: Toronto's old movie houses—the Rio on Yonge Street
Next: Toronto's architectural gems–Bishop's Palace on Church Street
4 thoughts on "Toronto's Biltmore Theatre on Yonge St."
A few errors above.
1) the Biltmore is on the right side of Yonge, not left, when viewing the pictures.
2) the Rio was south of Gerrard.
3) doubtful it was torn down to build the HMV as HMV is located right next to where the Edison Hotel was. I would guess the Biltmore auditorium was located where the Ryerson parking garage was built, so that may have doomed the Biltmore.
Your facts on the Biltmore are off by a bit. It survived and operated well into the 1980's. Also, it was not torn down to make space for the HMV. After closing, the building was renovated into a jewelry mall, and operated as such until the entire north east corner of Yonge and Dundas was torn down and redeveloped into what became the Toronto Life Square.
John Farquharson says:
Erik is correct in the fact that the Biltmore theater operated well into the 1980″s. I know for a fact that it closed in 1986 because I was one of the projectionists that worked there until it closed.
luis arturo colina says:
when i was living in toronto in 1976,i used to go there and sit for hours til catch the film that was giving when i arrived,i used to buy drink and hot dog then for staying put

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Home > Investment Strategy > $10 billion target as Zurich plans makeover
$10 billion target as Zurich plans makeover
Staff WriterDecember 13, 2005 - 12.00am
Zurich Investments will bring three previously unavailable, US-based funds managers to Australia over the next three to six months in the high-yield, absolute return and global property space, as it seeks to boost its image and funds under management.
Martin Scott, Zurich head of distribution, will visit the US next month to finalise arrangements with the high-yield manager and hopes to have the product available in the first quarter next year. The other two managers will follow during the course of the year. "There's a whole group of managers we're talking to… There are some really good managers offshore that feel they don't need to come here," Scott said. But under the Zurich offer US managers can get access to the Australian market at a minimal cost. "We wear the capital for distribution and they get access to a market they don't normally have access to," Scott said. Zurich is also about to embark on an extensive repositioning of its investments brand early next year. "It will differentiate us from the insurance brand. It will give us a clean look and feel," Scott said. As at September 2005 Zurich Investments had $6.4 billion in funds under management but plans to reach $10 billion over the next three years. Funds under management last September were $6 billion Zurich Investments' five major clients – Axa, ANZ, RetireInvest, Securitor and Genesys – have come on board in the past 12 months. "Now that we have the new managers online and the new key accounts, we are expecting most of our growth to come next year," Scott said.
access, accounts, brand, clients, don't, expecting, investments?, online, scott, september, yield, zurich


text:
More information needed on Godre'r Graig closure
Speaking about the sudden closure of Godre'r Graig School, following risk of landslides last week, David Evans, Wales Secretary of the National Education Union, who represents many members in the school, said:
Coalition unveils long-term funding plan to reverse education cuts
A coalition fighting for improved funding for education today sets out a long-term plan to reverse the cuts which have caused so much damage to schools and colleges. It shows that a total of £12.6bn extra would be needed by 2022/23.
New report shows EBacc no longer serves any useful purpose
Commenting on the report A Step Baccward by the think tank EDSK, Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union said:
DfE analysis of 'good' and 'outstanding' schools
Commenting on the latest Government analysis, Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
Joint Union Asbestos Committee: Asbestos crisis in our schools
The recent articles in the Guardian newspaper- "700 English schools reported over asbestos safety concerns" (5th July) & "Britain's death toll from asbestos at crisis level figures reveal" (8th July) only serve to validate the Joint Union Asbestos Committee (JUAC) approach to the terrible legacy of asbestos in schools.
NEU and NSPCC survey into school readiness for RSE lessons 2020
New relationships and sex education lessons 'undermined' as teachers have said they lack confidence.
NEU Cymru welcomes the CYPE's report on school funding in Wales
Wales's largest education union has responded to the National Assembly's Children, Young People and Education Committee Report into School funding in Wales.
SATs results - demoralising and damaging
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary NEU comments on the release of today's SATs results.
Primary teachers support NEU's campaign for an alternative to SATs
With this year's SATs results published today, the findings of the largest poll of primary school practitioners ever undertaken gives a ringing endorsement of the National Education Union's (NEU) campaign to end damaging high-stakes tests in primary schools. It also sends a clear message to Government that the current assessment system must change.
Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary NEU comments on Free schools: The next 10 years, a report by the New Schools Network which calls for the 92 'orphan' schools rated inadequate to be taken over by parent and community groups rather than wait any longer for a suitable academy sponsor.
One need only look at this week's Teacher Workforce statistics from his own department, to see that teachers are leaving at an alarming rate.
NEU Supply Teachers Survey
The National Education Union's latest survey of supply teachers shows that, despite a teacher shortage and regardless of the Government's efforts to regulate the supply teacher market, the majority of supply teachers are reporting lower levels of pay compared with previous years. They are also finding it harder than ever before to obtain work.
Parents and teachers win postponement to academy transfer
NEU members and parents are celebrating the decision today to postpone the transfer of Waltham Holy Cross to an Academy chain, NET Academies Trust.
Teacher workforce and class sizes
The latest data on the school workforce in England will give teachers and parents further cause for concern.
CBI on getting young people 'work ready'
The EBacc policy has reduced the breadth of subjects offered in many secondary schools, limited opportunities for our children, and driven many staff out of the teaching profession.
UK off-track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in education and social justice
Today, the National Education Union releases Progress off-track, a new snapshot briefing indicating how England and the UK are performing with the Sustainable Development Goals in relation to education and social justice.
Over 8,000 young people with SEND are 'awaiting provision'.
The National Education Union has found that as of January 2019, up to 8,587 children and young people with SEND are currently classed as 'awaiting provision' for a school place, and have no access to any type of educational provision at all. This is significantly higher than previously known.
Elitist Britain – Sutton Trust/Social Mobility Commission report
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary, NEU comments on Elitist Britain 2019, a report from the Sutton Trust and Social Mobility Commission which looks at the educational background of over 5,000 of Britain's leading and "influential" people.
Talis shows government failing England's teachers and head teachers
England's teachers are highly motivated by the opportunity to influence children's development or contribute to society – 93% of teachers cited these factors as major motivations for joining the profession, according to the findings of the OECD's first volume of its Teaching and Learning International Survey (Talis) 2018.
Grove Academy action
Staff take 2 more days of action to protect the most vulnerable students in North Yorkshire and form the "Working together walk"
Together for Education Rally - Jeremy Corbyn and Mayor of London now confirmed
This coming Saturday, parents, MPs, councillors and trade unionists meet in London for the Together for Education rally.
NEU Cymru call for 'vision' during Adult Learners' week
Speaking ahead of the Education Minister's statement on Adult Learners' Week, David Evans, Wales secretary NEU Cymru, said: "We need to value our adult learners and make sure the FE and adult learning sectors are properly planned for and funded."
Mental Health Training
Commenting on an announcement by Theresa May that every new teacher will be trained in spotting the signs of mental health issues, Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary NEU, said: "The aspiration to train school staff to spot signs of mental illness amongst pupils is welcome, but it will amount to little more than a sticking plaster."
New Free Schools
Commenting on the announcement of 22 new free schools, Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary NEU, said: "After nine years of this failed policy, the Government's claims about the successes of the free schools project ring hollow."
NEU Cymru welcome plans to tackle workload and new education workforce survey
Welcoming the Education Minister's statement today, David Evans, Wales secretary NEU Cymru said: "Workload is an extremely important issue to education professionals here in Wales and it is welcome that the Minister has committed to looking at this."
Children's Commissioner report on Speech and Language Therapy Services
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary NEU comments on "We Need To Talk: Access to Speech and Language Therapy", a report published today by Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner for England.
Tackling child poverty is key for success in education
Reacting to the debate on "Tackling Poverty" in the Assembly yesterday, David Evans, Wales secretary NEU Cymru said: "NEU Cymru members are clear - tackling poverty is a critical issue for education professionals in Wales, and key to improving schools and colleges for learners"
Opportunity to provide much needed funds to schools
David Evans, secretary NEU Cymru comments on today's decision by First Minister Mark Drakeford to scrap plans to build the £1.4bn M4 relief road around Newport, Wales.
SEND National Crisis
The National Education Union is supporting today's (Thursday) SEND National Crisis campaign day by joining its call on Government to provide more money for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). More than 25 events are happening nationwide.
942 schools in Wales have seen cuts to funding since 2015
School Cuts Cymru are today, 27th May, launching their campaign at the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Cardiff Bay.
Provisional Entry Statistics for GCSE, AS and A Level
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union has commented on the provisional statistics for the summer 2019 exam series, published today by Ofqual.
Labour to Make Climate Change Core Part of School Curriculum
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, has commented on the announcement by Labour that climate change will form part of the core curriculum from primary school onwards,
Cash incentives for maths and physics teachers
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, comments on the announcement of £2,000 incentive payments in addition to existing bursaries for maths and physics teachers.
UN Special Rapporteur on Poverty in the UK
Commenting on the final report by Philip Alston, which identifies the "tragic consequences" of "ideological" cuts to public services since 2010, Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: "This report is further evidence that the government must reverse benefit freezes that have left millions of children in poverty."
NEU Cymru comment on child poverty figures released today
Commenting on Child Poverty figures released today, David Evans, Wales Secretary for the National Education Union said: "Rates of poverty in Wales have risen when compared to other parts of the UK is shocking - but it is not a shock."
New Curriculum, time to review Welsh Bacc?
Commenting on Conservative plans to scrap the Welsh Bacc, David Evans, Wales Secretary for National Education Union Cymru, said: "We are broadly supportive of the Welsh Bacc, but believe it has had some problems which mean it has less value than originally intended."
Fracking, the Daily Mile and Ineos
The National Executive of the National Education Union (NEU) has voted to oppose Ineos's sponsorship of the Daily Mail initiative because it endangers the future of the young generation through fracking and plastics production.
Number of primary schools registered to take part in the pilot of the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) falls
Government figures show that 9,600 primary schools in England have registered for take-up of the Baseline assessment.* This is down from 16,766 primary schools in 2018.
John Roan School Strike
National Education Union members at The John Roan School, a secondary in Greenwich will be taking further strike action on Tuesday 14 May as part of their ongoing campaign to revoke the academy order imposed on the school and stop its forced academisation.
Kevin Courtney pays tribute to former NUT general secretary Doug McAvoy (1939-2019)
Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers between 1989 and 2004, has died at the age of 80.
Ofsted's New Inspection Arrangements
Commenting on the new inspection arrangements for Ofsted, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "Ofsted is not proposing to abandon data as a key factor in its inspection judgements."
Sixth form and college funding
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union has commented on 16-19 Education Funding: Trends and Implications, a report published today by the Education Policy Institute (EPI).
NEU Cymru figures show tax-payers money funds private supply teacher agencies
A recent Freedom of Information Request to local authorities by NEU Cymru has shown that almost £114 million has been spent on staff from private supply teacher agencies in the three academic years to August 2018.
Timpson Review on exclusions
Commenting on the Timpson Review on exclusions, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "We know that the vast majority of schools want only the best for all their pupils, and the minority who engage in poor practice in relation to exclusions and 'off rolling' are not typical of the majority of schools. "
SEND consultation
Commenting on the call for evidence on SEND funding announced today by Damian Hinds, Rosamund McNeil, Assistant General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "For too long, children with SEND have been disgracefully let down by this Government".
NEU Cymru would welcome collective bargaining as workers' rights
Speaking ahead of the Plaid Cymru debate on workers' rights, NEU Cymru's Wales Secretary David Evans said: "We would welcome a 'collective bargaining' approach to School Teachers' Pay and Conditions negotiations here in Wales.
Commenting on the today's report by the Social Mobility Commission, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "This report shows that Theresa May's promise to make 'Britain a Country that works for everyone' is clearly failing".
Post-16 colleges
Commenting on the passing of Motion 36 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "NEU members are calling on politicians and the public to recognise the weakened and fragmented state of the post-16 sector.
Challenging stereotypes and empowering young people
Commenting on the passing of Motion 10 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "Alongside everything we need education to achieve, we need it to give children the confidence to follow their own individual interests.
Supply teachers
Commenting on the passing of Motions 20 and 22 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "NEU members have supported two motions calling for urgent action to stop the exploitation of supply teachers and schools by employment agencies.
Accountability and Assessment
Commenting on the passing of Motion 30 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "The resolution demonstrates the conviction of those who work in English education that our system of assessment and accountability is not fit for purpose".
Abolish the anti-union laws
Commenting on the passing of Motion 37 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "The 2016 Trade Union Act was a blatant attempt by the Conservative Government to weaken the ability of trade unionists to take action to defend their jobs, pay and working conditions.
Valid assessment for all
Commenting on the passing of Motion 35 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "With this resolution, the Union adds its voice to the rising concern about the effects and educational value of exams at 16+.
The Fred & Anne Jarvis award
This year's Fred & Anne Jarvis Award has been given to campaigner Madeleine Holt.
EPI on Offrolling
Commenting on Unexplained Pupil Exits From Schools: A Growing Problem?, the Education Policy Institute (EPI)'s major new analysis, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "The issue of 'offrolling' is rising up the political agenda. NEU members' concerns about offrolling led the Union to sponsor this EPI research into informal exclusions".
Change needs to come from within
Commenting on the passing of Motion 32 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "Progress against racism in workplaces is far too slow.
Commenting on the passing of Motion 33 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "Disabled teachers are undervalued for the contribution they make to their schools and colleges.
Commenting on the passing of Motion 31 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "As the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights notes* the occupation of Palestine continues to severely impact on the lives of millions of Palestinians,
The Steve Sinnott International Solidarity Award
The winner of the 2019 Steve Sinnott International Solidarity Award is Dave Harvey, of Croydon NEU and ex-chair of the union's International Solidarity Sub-Committee.
Mental health in exam factories
Commenting on the passing of Motion 29 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "The current draconian approach to the education of children and young people is turning our schools into Exam Factories and squeezing the joy and creativity out of the classroom.
A national education service
Commenting on the passing of Motion 28 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "All children and young people have a right to a high-quality education in a good local school.
The Nikki Simpson Award for Learning
Liz Mills is the winner of this year's Nikki Simpson Award for Learning.
NEU Representative and Officer of the Year Awards
Today the Joint General Secretaries of the NEU today presented awards to the Representative and Officer of the Year for 2018/19. These awards recognise the hard work of reps and officers in the Union.
Supporting Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Commenting on the passing of Motion 23 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "The NEU is appalled at the continued off-rolling and illegal exclusion of too many SEND pupils and wants the government to address the underlying pressures which lead schools to take such action.
Jeremy Corbyn's speech
Commenting on Jeremy Corbyn's speech at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union in Liverpool, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "It is good to hear a politician who understands the depth of the educational crisis, and the urgency of finding solutions to it.
Fair pay for teachers
NEU members have voted to reject the Government's policy on teachers' pay, including its unprecedented decision to reject the recommendations of the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) on the 2018 pay increase
LGBT+ Rights
Commenting on the passing of an urgency motion on LGBT+ rights at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "It is crucial that every young person can feel happy and safe at school but too many LGBT+ young people still don't feel they can be themselves at school.
Workload and Pedagogy
Commenting on the passing of Motion 19 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "Workload in schools remains a significant problem, posing a major threat to schools' effectiveness and pupils' learning and is driving the teacher recruitment and retention crisis.
Devolution of pay and conditions to Wales
Commenting on the passing of Motion 18 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "We are entering unchartered waters in Wales following the devolution of pay and conditions for school teachers in September 2018.
The State of Education: Young People's Mental Health
Mental health problems amongst young people hit "crisis point", according to findings of NEU survey
Boycott High Stakes Summative Testing in Primary Schools
Commenting on the passing of Motion 16 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
Funding for Nursery Schools
T-Levels
Commenting on the passing of Motion 13 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "It is vital for both young people and the economy that technical qualifications have parity of esteem with academic ones.
Non-Pensionable Allowances
Commenting on the passing of Motion 12 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "The National Education Union is extremely concerned about the threat to teachers' pensions in independent schools.
Commenting on the passing of Motion 9 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "Racism is a pernicious thread that runs through society both at home and abroad.
The Blair Peach award
Kauser Jan is the winner of this year's Blair Peach Award.
Commenting on the passing of Motion 8 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "Climate change is a public health emergency and NEU members and the children they teach are at the forefront of this crisis.
End of privatisation of education
Commenting on the passing of Motion 7 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "After nine years of the academy programme, there is still no evidence to suggest that turning a school into an academy raises standards of education or brings any benefit whatsoever.
Launch of new report 'In whose interest? The UK's role in privatising education around the world'
A new report from UK civil society organisation Global Justice Now and the National Education Union, the largest education union in Europe, launches today.
Commenting on the passing of Motion 6 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "The outcry about the state of school and sixth form college funding continues.
The state of education: workload
Survey of NEU members shows workload is out of control and driving people out of profession.
The State of Education: Child Poverty
Increased concern about worsening levels of child poverty and its impact on learning, according to survey of NEU members.
Special needs provision in England has lost out on £1.2bn because of shortfalls in funding increases from central government since 2015.
NEU comment on Ofsted consultation
Commenting on Ofsted's education inspection framework consultation which closes today, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
Register for Children Not Educated in School
Commenting on the Department for Education's proposal of a new register for all children not being educated in school, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
Home Office Proposals on Violent Crime
Commenting on proposals by the Home Office that could make schools accountable for failing to stop violent crime, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
Over 1,000 councillors urge Government to increase school funding
A letter from the National Education Union (NEU) urging Education Secretary Damian Hinds to end the school funding crisis has been signed by 1,115 local councillors.(1)
School Funding: new analysis shows £5.4bn cut from school budgets in England since 2015
The School Cuts coalition analysis* of the latest Government school funding figures shows a shortfall in funding of £5.4 billion over the past three years with 91% of schools in England affected.
International Education Strategy
NEU comments on the newly released Government's International Education Strategy: global potential, global growth.
YouGov/More Than A Score survey on testing
Commenting on the results of a YouGov survey commissioned by More than a Score, released today, which shows the level of school leaders' frustrations with the Government's assessment regime, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
Philanthropy and Privatisation
A report to be launched today by Education International (EI), the global education union confederation, lifts the lid on the activities of so-called 'philanthropic' organisations involved in promoting the commercialisation, marketisation and privatisation of education systems around the world.
NEU Cymru pension funding
David Evans, NEU Cymru Secretary welcomes the Education Minister and the Welsh Government pension funding.
Commenting on the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Spring Statement, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
School Cuts Coalition: Chancellor's spring statement must address school funding crisis
The Chancellor's Spring Statement today (Wednesday) must address the "national emergency" faced by our schools and colleges due to a lack of funding.
NEU Cymru warns that securing pay parity for teachers in Wales is a fundamental principle
Responding to a Welsh Government statement on a report by Professor Mick Waters, Teaching: A valued profession, David Evans, Wales Secretary for the NEU Cymru said:
490 MPs contacted by NEU members ahead of Westminster Hall debate on school funding
MPs in England have been contacted by teachers, headteachers and support staff of the National Education Union and School Cuts Coalition supporters asking them to attend today's Westminster Hall debate on school funding.
NEU survey shows widespread funding and workload pressures on school support staff
The National Education Union's largest ever survey of support staff* in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, published today, shows members are struggling to cope with real-terms funding cuts and the consequent additional pressures on workload.
Work Your Proper Hours Day – Teachers Top League Table for Unpaid Overtime
Commenting on data from the TUC to mark Work Your Proper Hours Day (1 March), showing that teachers do more unpaid overtime than any other workers, totalling 462 million hours per year,
'Pointless' baseline assessment pilot for 4 year olds announced by Government
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union comments on the announcement by Nick Gibb that the DfE will be looking for schools to take part in a pilot scheme for the proposed baseline assessment tests.
William Torbitt Primary School
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education comments on the decision by the Department for Education to lift its academy order against William Torbitt Primary School in Redbridge.
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union comments on the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER)'s first annual report on the teacher labour market in England.
Unions urge review body to ignore government's suggested pay cap for teachers
Organisations representing the overwhelming majority of teachers and school leaders in England have written to the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) urging it to ignore pressure from the government to cap the teachers' pay award at 2%. The unions are calling on the STRB to recommend a fully-funded 5% pay increase in September 2019
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union comments on a report from an All-Party Parliamentary Group on social mobility, published today.
Concern about increased Estyn Inspections
David Evans, Wales Secretary of the National Education Union Cymru expresses concern about increased Estyn Inspections.
Ofsted annual report - 2017
Kevin Courtney comments on the Ofsted Annual Report, presented today by its Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman.
Education unions call for an immediate 5% pay rise for teachers
Education unions - the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), the National Education Union (NEU), UCAC, and Voice – are calling for an immediate, fully funded, 5% pay rise for all teachers.
Support staff struggling with increasing workloads, says NEU survey
Teaching assistants, school administrators and other support staff are having to work overtime to cope with the increasing workload as schools cut staffing to cope with budget cuts, according to a National Education Union survey released today by the ATL section of the union at its annual conference in Liverpool.
Enough is enough! March for Education
Trade unions, campaigners, councillors, parents and school students to march for education on Tuesday 20 November 2018.
Teachers' Working Hours
NEU comment on the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) study showing that teachers work the longest hours.
Freedom of information requests to Multi Academy Trusts reveal shocking disparity in asbestos management
The continuing presence of asbestos in the majority of schools and academies is a national scandal - putting the lives of pupils and staff at risk.
Good news that Cambridge primary will not become an academy
NEU welcomes the news that St Phillip's Primary School in Romsey has decided not to convert into an academy or join an MAT.
NEU reaction to Budget Autumn 2017
With no significant new money for education, the budget shows that the government has chosen to ignore the anger of parents and clear evidence of the damage caused by funding cuts.
NEU Survey finds workload increases for support staff in schools as staff are cut
Teaching assistants, school librarians and lab technicians are facing a soaring workload as staff are cut and they are increasingly being expected to teach, according to a National Education Union (NEU) survey of over 1,700 support staff members.
Child poverty harms children's educational opportunities
Growing child poverty is affecting children's learning, say NEU education professionals, and schools and education staff are increasingly providing the services and essentials of daily life to stop families falling through the cracks
New tests are of no educational benefit to children
The National Education Union is deeply disappointed that the Government has decided to introduce the Reception Baseline Assessment and Multiplication Tables Check.
Response to Teachers' Pay analysis by Taxpayers' Alliance
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, has commented on an analysis of teachers' pay published by the Taxpayers' Alliance.
Workload announcement is a beginning, but more than ambition needed
The Government is finally beginning to recognise the teacher shortage crisis, but it remains to be seen if today's announcement makes any practical difference.
NEU comment on Education at a Glance (OECD)
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, has commentied on the OECD's Education at a Glance report.
Liberal Democrat Party Conference emergency motion on education
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union comments on the emergency education motion passed at today's Liberal Democrat Party conference.
NEU comment on confirmation of teachers' pay award
Comment on the government's confirmation of the teachers' pay award and distribution of the teachers' pay grant, which for the first time in 27 years ignores the advice of the STRB.
National Education Union and British Lung Foundation launch air pollution health advice for schools
With more than 2,000 schools and nurseries across the country located close to roads with illegal levels of pollution, the National Education Union (NEU) has joined forces with the British Lung Foundation (BLF), and today publish guidance warning school staff and pupils about the dangers of air pollution.
NEU workload survey: DfE and Ofsted need to do much more to reduce teacher workload
The National Education Union has long been concerned that unnecessary practices surrounding marking, planning, and data collection in schools, is having a significant impact on teacher workload.
School Cuts website shows 88% of schools still facing cuts
Following the announcement on school funding by Justine Greening last week, the picture remains bleak.
Sutton Trust on Closing the Attainment Gap
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union comments on the Sutton Trust report Closing Gaps Early, published today.
NEU comment on the Local Government Association's (LGA) analysis into the lack of secondary school places
Commenting on the Local Government Association's (LGA) analysis into the lack of secondary school places, Nansi Ellis, Assistant General Secretary of the National Education Union, said
NEU comment on the DfE's School Resource Management Strategy
Commenting on the Department for Education's School Resource Management Strategy, released today, Nansi Ellis, Assistant General Secretary of the National Education Union, said
PSHE and SRE should both be compulsory for all school children
Teaching children and young people personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) and relationships and sex education (RSE) is vital, according to a survey of members of the National Education Union (NEU).
Teachers' pay being cut due to lack of annual pay rises and performance related pay progression
Teachers' pay continues to be cut because schools are increasingly failing to give them cost of living increases as well as denying them pay progression, the National Education Union's annual national pay survey shows.
NEU calls for a significant increase in teacher pay
The National Education Union is calling for a significant pay increase for teachers to help address the growing crisis in teacher recruitment and retention, pay teachers fairly and help deliver the best possible education for pupils.
Pressures at school making pupils suicidal – NEU survey
Almost half (49%) of education staff say secondary school pupils have been suicidal because of stress they are under, according to a survey of the National Education Union (NEU), released at the ATL section annual conference.
Sexual harassment of girls is widespread in schools
New research from the National Education Union and UK Feminista – "It's just everywhere": Sexism in schools and how we tackle it - shows that the sexual harassment of girls in schools is widespread.
NEU survey shows workload causing 80% of teachers to consider leaving the profession
Initial findings from the latest NEU workload survey, of 8,173 members show the continuing scale of the workload problem facing teachers and the impact this is having on their willingness to stay in the profession.
Commission for Religious Education: a National Plan for RE
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary, National Education Union, comments on the report 'Religion and World Views the Way Forward'.
NEU comment on DfE guidance for tackling sexual harassment and violence in schools
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, comments on today's written statement on Keeping Children Safe in Education.
GCSEs and A-Levels
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary NEU comments on remarks by Robert Halfon MP that GCSEs should be scrapped and A-Levels replaced with a baccalaureate system.
School Funding Crisis
The latest NEU survey of 900 members in local authority schools and academies paints a bleak picture about the state of school funding in our schools.
Social Media and Screen Time
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary NEU comments on the UK Chief Medical Officer's review on the impact of screen time on children and young people's mental health, published today.
Schools at breaking point as funding pressures hit support for SEND pupils
The results of a snapshot survey* of 1,026 primary and secondary school teachers in England, shows the alarming levels of inadequate and underfunded provision for pupils with SEND.
Free schools - launch of new application criteria
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the NEU comments on the Department for Education's launch of new application criteria for free schools.
Access to lifelong learning important for Wales
National Education Union Cymru, notes Education Minister Kirsty Williams' commitment to lifelong learning, during Education Minister's Questions today.
Wellbeing of education professionals important
David Evans, Wales Secretary of the National Education Union Cymru, welcomes Education Minister's reiteration that wellbeing of staff is as important as wellbeing of learners, during Education Minister's questions today.
NEU pay survey
Almost 34,000 teachers have responded to a National Education Union pay survey, which shows alarming levels of dissatisfaction both with levels of pay and with the performance related pay (PRP) system in schools.
DfE teacher pay increase 'derisory'
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the NEU has commented on the DfE's submission to the School Teachers' Review Body which suggests a 2% pay increase for teachers
Categorisation in Wales remains stable - time to call time on the regional consortia?
David Evans, Secretary of NEU Cymru Wales, notes that this year's results of the Categorisation system in Wales show that schools in Wales remain 'stable', in terms of their "improvement" category.
A Transformational Curriculum consultation welcome
David Evans, Secretary of NEU Cymru Wales welcomes the consultation on the new Curriculum "Our National Mission: A Transformational Curriculum".
Teachers' Pay: Joint Union Call for 5% Increase
Organisations representing the overwhelming majority of teachers and school leaders in England have urged the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) to recommend an immediate pay increase of 5% for all teachers and leaders, which should be funded in full by the Government.
Teacher Recruitment and Retention
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the NEU has commented on the release of the Department for Education's recruitment and retention strategy.
NEU comment on Damian Hinds' speech at the 2018 Conservative Party Conference
Commenting on the Education Secretary's speech at the Conservative Party Conference, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
NEU comment on Theresa May's Speech
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, has commented on the Prime Minister's speech at Conservative Party Conference.
Nansi Ellis, Assistant General Secretary NEU has commented on the secondary school performance tables, published today by the Department for Education.
NEU comment on Apprenticeships
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, has commented on 'The apprenticeships ladder of opportunity: quality not quantity', a report by the House of Commons Education Committee,
Education Policy Institute's damning report on UTCs
Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union has commented on the latest report from the Education Policy Institute (EPI).
Union leaders join forces for pre-budget video
Headteachers and teachers across England are being encouraged to write to their MPs over the school funding crisis in the run-up to the Budget on 29 October.
Ofsted Chief outlines changes to education inspection framework
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary, National Education Union, has commented on the Chief Inspector of Ofsted's admission that focus on data has been a major factor in schools becoming exam factories.
GCSE Performance Statistics
Nansi Ellis, Assistant General Secretary, National Education Union has commented on statistics released today by the Department for Education for 2017/18.
NEU comment on Equity in Education
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, has commented on Equity in Education, the latest report in the Pisa series from the OECD.
NEU comment on the Budget Speech
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, has commented on the Chancellor's Budget Speech, delivered today in the Commons.
NEU comment on IFS report on the rich and poor in education
Andrew Morris, Assistant General Secretary of the National Education Union, has commented on research by the IFS which reflects on the historical skew towards the rich in public spending on education.
Three education unions to simultaneously consult members after Budget fails to address funding crisis
Following the Government's failure to address the school and college funding crisis in last week's Budget, three education unions are taking the unprecedented step of simultaneously consulting with their respective members on what steps to take next.
NEU comment on teacher workload
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, has commented on the publication of the Department for Education's response to the Teacher Workload Advisory Group report on data.
Undervalued and underpaid, NEU survey of independent school staff finds
The National Education Union's 2018 independent sector pay & conditions survey reveals that pay in private schools is failing to keep pace with inflation, and that staff continue to experience high levels of workload, much of it unpaid.
Delays to the Government's Asbestos Management Assurance Process
This week the DfE reopened its 'Asbestos Management Assurance Process', an exercise which asks school employers to declare whether they are compliant with their legal duty to manage asbestos in their schools.
NEU and Sex Education Forum survey finds significant gaps in sex education in England
A poll of young people shows gaps in Relationship and Sex Education on sexual grooming, abusive relationships and how to get help if they are sexually assaulted.
Damian Hinds calls on more schools to become academies
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union has commented on the Education Secretary's call for more academies, and the Department for Education's analysis of sponsored academies.
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary, National Education Union has commented on the release of the trainee number census for 2018-19.
Ofsted Annual Report
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, has commented on the release of the Ofsted Annual Report
NEU comment on Primary School Performance Tables
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, has commented on today's publication of primary school performance tables.
NEU survey: Teachers witnessing distressing new levels of child poverty this winter in schools
A National Education Union snapshot poll of 1,026 teachers* in England paints a harrowing picture of the increase in poverty seen in our schools and the daily impact it is having on children and young people.
NEU comment: Sutton Trust on Academy Chains
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union has commented on the Sutton Trust report Chain Effects 2018, published today.
School Holiday Poverty
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, has commented on the Government's school holiday programme for disadvantaged children.
Broken promises from Government on school funding
New analysis by the National Education Union of the Schools Block funding allocations show the Government has not even matched their previous woefully inadequate promises on school funding. The Government has delayed and delayed the publication of these figures. The reason now is clear.
School Finances
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union has commented on an Education Policy Institute report, published today, which looks at current school finances.
PAC report: Poor NHS mental health provision for young people
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union has commented on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report Mental health services for children and young people.
Ofsted consultation on changes to education inspection framework
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary NEU has commented on the launch of Ofsted's consultation on how it inspects schools, early years settings and further education and skills providers.
EPI on Childcare Workers
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary NEU has commented on new research from the Education Policy Institute, analysing the childcare workforce in England.
School Cuts Coalition Stands By Figures Challenged by Deputy Chair of Conservative Party
James Cleverly, the Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party, has complained to the UK Statistics Authority about the figures on the School Cuts website. We stand by those figures.
Consultation of Members on School Funding
82,487 teachers taking part in the National Education Union's consultation of members have given a ringing endorsement of the School Cuts campaign.
PAC report on academy failures and misuse of funding is a wake-up call to DfE
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the NEU has commented on Academy accounts and performance, the report of the Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
PAC 'seriously concerned' about the Government's approach to asbestos management in schools
The Joint Union Asbestos Committee which comprises the education and support staff unions (ASCL, GMB, NAHT, NASUWT, NEU, UCU, UNISON, Unite and Voice) and the Asbestos in Schools Group, Chaired by Emma Hardy MP are today responding to the asbestos recommendations in the Public Accounts Committee report into Academy accounts and performance.
NEU unveils billboards with questions for the Education Secretary during Conservative Party Conference
The NEU unveils three billboards during the Conservative party conference in Birmingham asking Damian Hinds three questions around funding for schools.
Public Accounts Committee report into Ofsted raises significant concerns
The National Education Union believes the current school inspection system is not fit for purpose. There is an inconsistent approach to the use of data and the approach taken by inspectors, and serious concerns about the quality of inspectors.
NEU comment on announcement of 53 new free schools
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, has commented on the Government's latest announcement of 53 new free schools and one UTC.
Comment on DfE's Early Learning Goals pilot
Department for Education announces pilot intended to "boost early language skills" from September - comment by Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union.
Comment on DfE not approving vocational qualifications
Nine of AQA's vocational qualifications have not been approved by Department for Education - comment from Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union
Increase in new free schools
The Department for Education's (DfE) has announced that more free schools will open this term.
National Education Union comment on teacher recruitment and retention
A survey by Eteach on teacher recruitment and retention is commented on by Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union.
ATL and NUT form the National Education Union
The largest education union in the UK comes into force - with the amalgamation of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) creating the National Education Union, the largest education union in the UK.
FE college staff consider quitting as workloads and stress levels rise
A poll by the NEU finds seven-in-ten further education (FE) college staff working in England have considered leaving the sector, as workloads rise and many suffer from stress.
NEU comment on school workforce stats
The School Workforce Census statistics show the number of teachers has now fallen to the lowest level since 2013 - with more qualified teachers leaving the profession than the number entering.
Government reforms failing to tackle inequality
A UCL report on social mobility confirms what the NEU has been warning about for some years, says Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union.
NEU comment on BERA report on Baseline assessment
BERA's expert panel has demonstrated that the Government's plans for baseline assessment are built on wishful thinking, not evidence, say the NEU.
SATs do not benefit children's learning and are bad for their well-being – NEU survey
Children crying, having nightmares and being so stressed they needed extra support to cope with SATs were highlighted by primary teachers in a National Education Union (NEU) survey on the primary assessment.
National Education Union comments on SATs Results (Key Stage 2)
Today's announcement means that, despite the hard work of teachers and pupils, over a third of 11-year-olds will arrive in secondary schools in September labelled as 'below the expected standard,' says NEU.
NEU comment on PAC report on converting schools to academies
The NEU welcomes a report from the Public Accounts Committee into converting schools to academies, and agrees with its recommendations.
Comment on IFS report on School Funding
Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) shows an 8% decline in funding for England's schools since 2010, and 5% for Wales in the same period - Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union comments.
Capita and Primary School Tests
Capita is set to make a vast profit at the expense of young primary children's mental health and well-being, after the award of a £109 million contract by the government, says the NEU.
Joint union letter to Damian Hinds regarding STRB pay recommendations
Joint union letter to Damien Hinds requesting an urgent response to the School Teachers' Review Body report on teachers' pay for September 2018.
Nick Gibb on School Funding
Nick Gibb's written statement to Parliament ignores the fact that recent reports show education funding is in crisis - Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union comments.
Joint union response on teachers' pay
ASCL, NAHT and NEU responded to the announcement of a 3.5% pay increase for classroom teachers on the main pay range and the Department for Education's commitment to funding part of this pay award.
NEU comment on EPI report: Education in England
The Education Policy Institute's Education in England has published it's Annual Report 2018 - Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, comments.
NEU comment on pupils being excluded from schools in England
The Education Committee report highlights the exclusion of pupils from schools in England - Comment by Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union.
NEU comment on school funding for 2019-20
Nick Gibb's statement on school revenue funding for 2019-2020 will do nothing to alleviate the enormous pressure on school budgets, Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union says.
NEU Survey: Increase in the amount of teenagers going hungry during the summer holidays
An NEU survey of 657 secondary teachers by the National Education Union shows growing concern amongst teachers that young people are not getting enough food to eat over the summer holidays.
NEU comment on Language Hubs
The Government's announcement of a network of 'language hubs' designed to boost the take-up of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) at GCSE level, is not enough to address the shortage of MFL teachers, the NEU says.
Tutors struggle to get pay from ex-Manchester City player's training company
The NEU is fighting to help two members who worked at an education services company owned by ex-Manchester City footballer Jamie Pollock get the pay their owed after he terminated their employment with a weeks notice.
NEU comment on reintroducing the education maintenance allowance
The National Education Union fully supports Labour's call to reinstate the education maintenance allowance (EMA).
NEU will support staff affected by the closure of St Christopher's School, Canterbury, Kent
Members that are affected by the closure of St Christopher's School will be supported through the process of redundancy - John Richardson, National Official at the National Education Union comments.
Well done to students, but new GCSEs are narrowing the curriculum and adding to student stress, says NEU
Congratulations to students, but new GCSEs are narrowing the curriculum and adding to student stress, says Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union.
NEU comment on academy trusts in deficit
Academy sector and schools as a whole are feeling the effects of an unsustainable funding model, NEU says.
Congratulations to students, but high-stakes A-levels do not demonstrate what students can do
Congratulations to students and staff but warning that there is increase in mental health issues and a narrowing of the curriculum with new assessment model, NEU says.
Changes to GCSEs and A-levels are damaging students' mental health and increasing teachers' workload – NEU poll
Changes to this year's GCSEs and A-levels have damaged students' mental health, according to a snap-shot poll by the National Education Union.
NEU comment on A-level results
NEU comments on the breakdown of results in this year's A-Levels.
Subscribe to Press release


Thinking about declaring bankruptcy in Bragg Creek? Speak to your local MNP LTD, where you'll discover a range of solutions. Year after year, we help thousands of Canadians just like you break free from financial hardship.
When it comes to freeing yourself from debt legally, you can choose to file for bankruptcy in Bragg Creek. It is regulated by the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Step one is to contact your nearest MNP LTD Licensed Insolvency Trustee, who will explain the process and provide insight on additional debt reduction options. In many cases, after discussing the situation with an expert, people find that there are better debt options than declaring bankruptcy.


text:
2 Bloc members support NDP
The surge in popularity for the New Democratic Party in Quebec has seduced two men from an unlikely camp.
Open letter states they are still sovereigntists, but NDP is best choice on May 2
CBC News · Posted: Apr 29, 2011 9:55 AM ET | Last Updated: April 29, 2011
Jack Layton's surge in this election campaign has inspired two Bloc Québécois members to openly call for sovereigntists to vote NDP on May 2. ((Andrew Vaughan, Canadian Press))
Two members of the Bloc Québécois are openly calling on sovereigntists to vote for the NDP on Election Day.
Maxime Bellerose, the former president of the Hochelaga riding association, and Benoît Demuy, a one-time political adviser to former Bloc MP Réal Ménard, have drafted a letter in which they write that the Bloc has reached its limits in Ottawa and that it's time to move on to another option.
In the letter, Bellerose and Demuy write that they are still convinced sovereignty is the right path for Quebec, but that the struggle needs to happen in Quebec, not in Ottawa.
"While waiting for a winning referendum, voting NDP today is the solution to break the cycle of minority Conservative governments," the letter reads.
Full campaign coverage
Share your election stories, photos and video
Vote Compass: Where do you stand?
Your Take Live: Share your election comments
It goes on to say that for the first time, social democracy is knocking on the doors of Parliament, and that it would be a shame for Quebecers not to take the opportunity to send MPs to Ottawa who champion the values of mutual help and justice held dearly in Quebec.
The letter is signed by the two men, who label themselves as "engaged citizens."
In an interview with CBC News, Demuy said he and Bellerose are not the only bloquistes who will be voting NDP.
"I'm not a black sheep, I'm not an anecdote," Demuy said.
He said the vast majority of his entourage supports the Bloc, and at least three quarters of his friends and colleagues will be putting an X beside the name of the NDP candidate in their ridings on Monday.
Duceppe responds
Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe said he was not concerned about the letter Monday morning.
At a press conference in Gatineau, Duceppe admitted the race is tight, but said his party is behind him.
"I think the vast majority of sovereigntists are with us," Duceppe said.
PROMISE TRACKER: Comparing the platforms
CANADA VOTES: Full campaign coverage
FINAL WEEK: Comparing tone of parties' ads
Layton draws heat in campaign's final days
Read the open letter here (in French)


The Freedom Flyer 5K presented by Greenville Track Club takes place on Memorial Day, May 28, 2018. Last year's 2-mile course has now been expanded to a 5K. The new 5K course is flatter than the old 2-mile course - only 50' of total elevation gain. This year we've added patriotic music stations and a gauntlet of American flags along the course. The race finishes at midfield on the Kroc Center soccer field. The early entry fee has been kept UNDER $10 to boost attendance and make the event affordable for everyone, especially families!
Thank you for your service! ALL ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL, POLICE, FIRE, AND FIRST RESPONDERS ARE ADMITTED FREE! Just send an email to Kerrie, using the contact page. Include your full name, military branch and rank. If you are non-military, provide details on your job description and employer.
Join us on Memorial Day morning for an enjoyable family friendly event paying tribute to the USA ARMED FORCES and local POLICE, FIRE and FIRST RESPONDERS at the 2018 Freedom Flyer 5K!


A couple could also choose to maintain joint ownership of the property until they reach a certain age at which time they can make the decision about whether to sell or not. They can split upkeep and utilities costs or perhaps rent the property. It's up to the couple to decide what is best for their situation.
Any decisions made regarding a family home could be reflected in a divorce settlement agreement. A Louisiana family law attorney is able to assist clients in such situations by offering information and guidance regarding the legal aspects of separation and divorce and how it affects assets, including the family home. A lawyer will help a client to make an informed decision in an emotionally-fraught situation.
Related Posts: Breaking divorce news to young children in Louisiana, Visitation in Louisiana: When one parent won't see the kids, Family law: Divorce especially difficult on older couples, Louisiana adoption: Can a baby be adopted by a friend?


text:
Integrated development, politics and social empowerment in India and beyond
Gentleman crusader
Modi has further divided the Party and the NDA and it cannot be assumed that he will be the favoured candidate to lead the NDA or any new variant of it
Questionable Power Play
Narendra Modi has won a couple of game points but the match is not yet over as BJP jostles to settle on a PM candidate.
By B G Verghese
It would be premature to conclude that the recent power play within the BJP has ended to Narendra Modi's advantage. He has won a couple of game points but the match is not yet over. His appointment as chief of the Party's 2014 election campaign committee, over the head of Advani's threats and sulks, is being glibly seen as his anointment as its prime ministerial candidate and, ipso facto, the country's next prime minister. This is vaulting ambition.
Modi had the backing of the RSS, which seeks a return to the Hindutva line against the likes of Advani, who fell from grace in 2005 when he praised Jinnah for preaching secularism in his inaugural speech to the Pakistan constituent assembly in 1947 (but from which the Quaid retracted when he found himself totally isolated). The RSS was alarmed by this spark of liberalism in one who had earned impeccable Hindutva credentials through his rath yatra, his "sad" satisfaction over the Babri demolition and his staunch protection of Modi during and after the 2002 Gujarat holocaust. Modi now seems a better bet with his 2002 credentials and his sterling opposition at every stage to bringing the guilty to justice, partly on the horrendously hypocritical plea of not reopening old wounds. However, despite his efforts, the wheels of justice are turning, even if very slowly, and the net may yet close on him.
Any return to Hindutva- which has nothing to do with Hinduism - would be a disaster and a return to pre-medievalism and right wing chauvinism, with Hindutva jihadis doing to India what the Pakistani jihadis have done to that country. No nation can grasp the future by moving backwards and becoming prisoners of ancient shibboleths.
Modi's development record, as Manmohan Singh has said, entailed leading an entrepreneurial, market-oriented state forward rather than have to struggle with a more backward state like Madhya Pradesh. Yet, without detracting from his industrial development and infrastructural achievements, Gujarat's social and HDI indices remain poor. So the "development neta" has a very mixed record. His "acceptance" speech after appointed election strategist was no more than a harsh tirade against the Congress and had surprisingly little positive content on larger issues of economic and social policy, foreign affairs and security. The world's largest "Statue to Unity" in memory of Sardar Patel in "an India free of the Congress" is all that he could promise!
Despite a seeming patch-up, ideological and personality divides within the BJP stand more starkly exposed. Modi has further divided the Party and the NDA and it cannot be assumed that he will be the favoured candidate to lead the NDA or any new variant of it if the BJP comes anywhere near striking distance of leading a new coalition. Advani's comment was damning. He felt the party was moving in the wrong direction with most leaders engrossed in personal agendas. Yet, if Modi cannot deliver, Advani may still play the patriarch.
Congress expectations of a miracle from Rahul Gandhi are equally misplaced. He has postured rather than performed and nobody knows his mind on critical national issues. The talk about a third front or a federal alternative built around Naveen Patnaik, Mamata Bannerjee and, perhaps, Nitish Kumar, also appears a non-starter, with Jayalalithaa preferring to stand aloof for the moment. No one is ready for an early election. This provides the UPA an opportunity to move forward, by Ordinance and executive order if necessary, to push through essential and progressive pending legislation long blocked by preventing parliament from functioning. Parliamentary ratification, where required, could follow. Those who would cavil at such "undemocratic" conduct will have to explain why they protest after thwarting parliament for so long. Such a stance could be the UPA's best election platform and would help restore some credibility to its leadership after three wasted years of drift.
Yet the UPA continues to drift, witness the ham-handed handling of the Telengana issue and the unprofessional handling of the latest Maoist train-kidnap in Bihar. Once again, the State Government did not heed the Centre's warnings and an inexcusably ill-trained, under-staffed and poorly equipped Railway Protection Force meekly surrendered. Security is being diverted to "protect" all manner of fatuous characters at the cost of essential priorities. The NCTC remains a political football that is periodically kicked around while national security remains at risk. The new Congress Government in Karnataka is now busy irresponsibly undermining the recently-won autonomy of the Police Establishment Board to undo the limited progress made in police reforms and retain the police as its handmaiden.
Unfortunately, Indian politics is at low ebb with a huge loss of moral authority at top levels. The nation is changing and newly empowered cohorts of hitherto marginalised and exploited sections of the population are impatient for change, seeking the dignity, opportunity and rights so long denied them. The anger is palpable and manifest in incidents of violence and social upheaval of which left wing extremism is only one example. Therefore India must hurry and not dawdle and blunder along as is the style across parties. This is the challenge and the parties will be put to the test in 2014 or earlier. Modi and Rahul Gandhi are non-issues.
The United States has meanwhile been found indulging in more dirty tricks – spying on foreigners through global internet providers like Google, Yahoo, Facebook and Twitter. Details of the US Prism programme were leaked in Hong Kong by a CIA operative determined to expose American "criminality" in sweeping user data under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The four major service companies have sought official permission to reveal the quantum and nature of national security requests in the interests of transparency. The US administration has however defended the practice and reasserted its legality.
The US has been described as great society but a dangerous state. The latest episode merely underlines the point. US nationals are spared this latest invasion of privacy even as internet and related global traffic facilitated by major service-providers are comprehensively trawled and sifted to patch together messages that portend potential homeland terror. Europe is up in arms and the Government here is worried over India being a major target of such snooping.
This is all part of the skulduggery unctuously practiced by the US Government in Guantanamo Bay's illegal and utterly reprehensible torture chambers and in sundry "rendition" centres scattered around the globe so as to evade US human rights laws and standards through such outsourcing. The message is that might makes it right.
HOME | ABOUT THE AUTHOR | LIST OF ARTICLES | CONTACT | BOOKS
See also AsianConversations.com
11-C Dewan Shree Apartments, 30 Ferozeshah Rd, New Delhi 110001, India


text:
Sep 20–23, 1978
Composers Inside Electronics
Composers Inside Electronics, David Tudor, John Driscoll
For four consecutive evenings, Composers Inside Electronics—consisting, in this iteration, of John Driscoll, Ralph Jones, Martin Kalve, and David Tudor—presented a single piece each evening conceived by one member and collaboratively realized by the group. Each piece was made with circuitry designed and constructed by the composers, often employing live inputs, such that sounds made by performers or objects would be processed through circuits and then played over speakers in real-time. Another common thread between the four pieces was the use of found objects instead of traditional instruments to make sound, particularly in the final piece, David Tudor's Forest Speech. Objects such as metal air ducts and plastic cases hung from the ceiling, connected to wires that were routed to four tables each controlled by one of the composers.
Artist(s): Composers Inside Electronics, David Tudor, John Driscoll
Date: September 20, 1978 - September 23, 1978
Tags: Music, 1970s
Brochure [PDF]
Voice and Phenomena
David Tudor, Yasunao Tone
See More: Music, Performance, 1970s
Bill Viola, Composers Inside Electronics, David Tudor, John Driscoll, Linda Fisher
Rainforest IV
Composers Inside Electronics, David Tudor
Between Thought and Sound: Graphic Notation in Contemporary Music
Alison Knowles, Alvin Lucier, Annea Lockwood, Anthony Jay Ptak, Cathy Berberian, Christian Wolff, Cornelius Cardew, David Behrman, David Tudor, Earle Brown, Elliott Sharp, Gordon Matta-Clark, Gordon Mumma, James Beckett, James Saunders, Joan La Barbara, John Driscoll, Jon Gibson, Kaffe Matthews, Laura Andel, Marina Rosenfeld, Meredith Monk, Michael J. Schumacher, Miya Masaoka, Morton Feldman, Robert Ashley, Stephen Vitiello, Steve Roden, Tom Johnson, Tony Conrad, Wadada Leo Smith, Yasunao Tone
See More: Exhibitions, Music, 2000s


Verizon's colocation datacenters offer a wide variety of services including—colocation, cloud services, managed hosting and disaster recovery.
Equinix will get 29 datacenters in 15 metropolitan areas in the United States and Latin America. However, Verizon will retain its managed hosting and cloud services and datacenters in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Canada.
Equinix is one of the world's leading providers of IBX (International Business Exchange) datacenters, carrier-neutral colocation where major International networks, enterprises, and business partners interconnect with one other and with more than 1,400 networks.
Per Equinix, the Verizon deal will further consolidate their global footprint by increasing interconnection in the United States and Latin America. In addition, Equinix will be able to gain market share in strategic market sectors, including government and energy.
"The new assets will bring hundreds of new customers to Platform Equinix while establishing a presence in new markets and expanding our footprint in existing key metros," said Equinix President and CEO Steve Smith.
For a quotation of colocation and related services from Verizon, Equinix or other leading datacenter providers, contact us.


text:
Manifest Destiny is a phrase that expressed the belief that the United States had a divinely inspired mission to expand, to progress, and to spread its form of democracy and freedom. Originally a political catch phrase of the nineteenth century, Manifest Destiny eventually became a standard historical term, often used as a synonym for the territorial expansion of the United States across North America towards the Pacific Ocean.
Manifest Destiny was always a general notion rather than a specific policy. In addition to territorial expansionism, the term also encompassed notions of individualism, idealism, American exceptionalism, Romantic nationalism, White supremacism, and a belief in the inherent greatness of what was then called the "Anglo-Saxon race". Given this variety of components, the phrase defies precise definition. As Ernest Lee Tuveson has written: "A vast complex of ideas, policies, and actions is comprehended under the phrase 'Manifest Destiny.' They are not, as we should expect, all compatible, nor do they come from one source."[1]
The phrase was first used primarily by Jackson Democrats in the 1840s to promote the annexation of much of what is now the Western United States (the Oregon Territory, the Texas Annexation, and the Mexican Cession). The term was revived in the 1890s, this time with Republican supporters, as a theoretical justification for U.S. intervention outside of North America. The term fell out of common usage by American politicians, but some commentators believe that aspects of Manifest Destiny continued to have an influence on American political ideology in the twentieth century.[2]
Manifest Destiny was an explanation or justification for that expansion and westward movement, or, in some interpretations, an ideology or doctrine which helped to promote the process. This article then is a history of the idea of Manifest Destiny and the influence of that idea upon American expansion.
Origin of the phrase
The phrase, which means obvious (or undeniable) fate, was coined in 1844 by New York journalist John L. O'Sullivan in his magazine the Democratic Review. In an essay entitled "Annexation", which called on the U.S. to admit the Republic of Texas into the Union, O'Sullivan wrote of "our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions." Texas became a U.S. state shortly thereafter, but O'Sullivan's first usage of the phrase "Manifest Destiny" attracted little attention.[3]
O'Sullivan's second use of the phrase became extremely influential. In a column which appeared in the New York Morning News on February 27, 1845, O'Sullivan addressed the ongoing boundary dispute with Great Britain in the Oregon Country. O'Sullivan argued that the United States had the right to claim "the whole of Oregon":
And that claim is by the right of our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federated self-government entrusted to us.
John L. O'Sullivan, sketched in 1874, is generally remembered only for using the phrase "Manifest Destiny" to advocate the annexation of Texas and Oregon. That is, O'Sullivan believed that God ("Providence") had given the United States a mission to spread republican democracy ("the great experiment of liberty") throughout North America. Because Great Britain would not use Oregon for the purposes of spreading democracy, thought O'Sullivan, British claims to the territory could be disregarded. O'Sullivan believed that Manifest Destiny was a moral ideal (a "higher law") that superseded other considerations, including international laws and agreements.[4]
O'Sullivan's original conception of Manifest Destiny was not a call for territorial expansion by force. He believed that the expansion of U.S.-style democracy was inevitable, and would happen without military involvement as whites (or "Anglo-Saxons") emigrated to new regions. O'Sullivan disapproved of the outbreak of the Mexican-American War in 1846, although he came to believe that the outcome would be beneficial to both countries.[5]
O'Sullivan's phrase provided a label for sentiments which had become particularly popular during the 1840s, but the ideas themselves were not new. O'Sullivan himself had earlier expressed some of these ideas, notably in an 1839 essay entitled "The Great Nation of Futurity". O'Sullivan was not the originator of Manifest Destiny, but one of its foremost advocates.
At first, O'Sullivan was not aware that he had created a new catch phrase. The term became popular after it was criticized by Whig opponents of the Polk administration. On January 3, 1846, Representative Robert Winthrop ridiculed the concept in Congress, saying "I suppose the right of a manifest destiny to spread will not be admitted to exist in any nation except the universal Yankee nation". Winthrop was the first in a long line of critics who suggested that advocates of Manifest Destiny were citing "Divine Providence" for justification of actions that were motivated by more earthly interests.
Despite this criticism, Democrats embraced the phrase. It caught on so quickly that it was eventually forgotten that O'Sullivan had coined it. O'Sullivan died in obscurity in
1895, just as his phrase was being revived; it was not until 1927 that a historian had determined that the phrase had originated with him.[6]
Themes and influences
Historian William E. Weeks has noted that three key themes were usually touched upon by advocates of Manifest Destiny:
1. the virtue of the American people and their institutions;
2. the mission to spread these institutions, thereby redeeming and remaking the world in the image of the U.S.; and
3. the destiny under God to accomplish this work.[7]
The origin of the first theme, also known as American Exceptionalism, was often traced to America's Puritan heritage, particularly John Winthrop's famous "City upon a Hill" sermon of 1630, in which he called for the establishment of a virtuous community that would be a shining example to the Old World. In his influential 1776 pamphlet Common Sense, Thomas Paine echoed this notion, arguing that the American Revolution provided an opportunity to create a new, better society:
We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now. The birthday of a new world is at hand....
Many Americans agreed with Paine, and came to believe that the United States had embarked upon a special experiment in freedom and democracy—and a rejection of Old World monarchy—which was of world-historical importance. President Abraham Lincoln's description of the United States as "the last, best hope of Earth" is a well-known expression of this idea. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, in which he interpreted the Civil War as a struggle to determine if any nation with America's ideals could survive, has been called by historian Robert Johannsen "the most enduring statement of America's Manifest Destiny and mission".[8]
The belief that the United States had a mission to spread its institutions and ideals through territorial expansion—what Andrew Jackson in 1843 famously described as "extending the area of freedom"—was a fundamental aspect of Manifest Destiny. Many believed that American-style democracy would spread without any effort by the United States government. American pioneers would take their beliefs with them throughout North America, it was thought, and other countries in the world would seek to emulate American institutions. Thomas Jefferson initially did not believe it necessary that the United States itself should expand, since he believed that other republics similar to the United States would be founded in North America, forming what he called an "empire for liberty". With the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, however, he embraced expansion. As more territory was added to the United States in the following decades, whether or not "extending the area of freedom" also meant extending the area of slavery became a central issue in a growing divide over the interpretation of America's "mission".
The Monroe Doctrine and Manifest Destiny were closely related ideas; historian Walter McDougall calls Manifest Destiny a "corollary" of the Monroe Doctrine, because while the Monroe Doctrine did not specify expansion, expansion was necessary in order to enforce the Doctrine. Concerns in the United States that European powers (especially Great Britain) were seeking to increase their influence in North America led to calls for expansion in order to prevent this. In his influential 1935 study of Manifest Destiny, Albert Weinberg wrote that "the expansionism of the [1840s] arose as a defensive effort to forestall the encroachment of Europe in North America".[11]
See: http://thefilipinomind.blogspot.com/2005/11/monroe-doctrine-1823-end-of-napoleonic.html
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifest_Destiny


text:
Plantforce Rentals is a leading construction equipment rental company headquartered in Somerset, with additional depots across the West Country and the Midlands. The company owns a fleet of 93 Hyundai machines ranging from 6 tonnes up to 52 tonnes, which include loading shovels, crawler, and wheeled excavators. Plantforce has recently added another Hyundai machine to its fleet – an HW160 wheeled excavator, which has been kitted out with the very latest in safety innovation technology.
Plantforce first had the idea for this new 'super-safe' machine following a recent conference, which was attended by representatives from Highways England and several of the suppliers to UK tier one contractors including, Hinkley Point C and the HS2 project.
One of the subjects discussed at the conference was what was currently available in the way of technological innovations and how they could be utilized to minimise the danger to highways operatives. Particularly when the operatives were working alone, and at night or during highways maintenance projects and associated tasks, which involves teams of men entering a temporary or permanent road closure, working around plant machinery.
Plantforce Rentals Operations Director Sam Mercer said, "Plantforce have an excellent working relationship with many of the contractors who work in these types of environments. We are also at the forefront of technology and innovation when it comes to operated and self-drive plant hire. We felt that we were ideally placed to embark on the innovation project and start working towards a technology-driven future for both contractors, plant machinery and operators."
Following joint discussions with Plantforce Marketing Manager, Dale Hawkins, who also champions simulation training for the company, together they designed what they describe as a 'lone man' working solution for the industry.
Dale said, "With safety and efficiency an important key factor on all major contracts around the UK, we have developed this Hyundai machine, with 'lone man' working in mind. It offers a solution for operatives working in the highways and civil sectors – chiefly the night workers."
Dale went on to explain, "Although this may look like a normal Hyundai wheeled loader on the outside it's packed with new technology with the aim of reducing the number of men from the 'work zone', this not only promotes safety but can reduce costings on a job site with fewer machines and speed up work times."
The Hyundai HW160W's transformation began with the installation of an Encgon tiltrotator system fitted with grab and buckets, and a state-of-the-art twin axle tipping trailer. A top of the range Prolec height and slew restriction system was then installed, which also comes with an inbuilt combined weighing system, where a cut-out system is included to prevent the machine from toppling over if overloaded. The Prolec system will also restrict the machine from moving into live carriageways or overhead power lines.
The Hyundai is also fitted with a GPS Trimble Earthworks system, which once the site has been scanned for buried utilities with a ground penetrating radar, the GPS in the machine will give the operator a full 3D map of the site. This system reduces the need for more personnel onsite – the system does the job of a surveyor.
A 7 light FHOSS Halo Exclusion is also fitted. Once the FHOSS Halo light is installed around the vehicle, focused beams of red light will identify an exclusion zone, making workers aware not to enter the danger zone.
The Hyundai also benefits from a Site Zone proximity warning system, which alerts the operator if any personnel enters the working radius. These safety features are combined with high visibility Chapter 8 reflective chevrons and livery.
Dale said, "The Hyundai machine is highly visible, so any approaching traffic, will clearly see the machine further reducing risk. It also eliminates service strikes and overloading the machine – but most importantly collision with other site personnel."
The wheeled excavator and trailer combination is a relatively new concept in the UK and is only usually provided as an owner-driver combination or a main contractor solution – the Plantforce solution is unique to the hire market and the company expects it to be a success.
Previous : JCB FASTRAC TRACTOR STORMS TO NEW BRITISH SPEED RECORD
Next : Yonkers Contracting Company boosts job site efficiency with the Grove GRT880 on New York Route 17 road project


After designing the men's collections for BUTTERFLYSOULFIRE for more then a decade, and a one year timeout, Thoas Lindner returns to the fashion circus with a new label and a unisex collection. Uniting his three creative fields – fashion design, sculptures and contemporary poetry in one place, he chose to rename his fashion line into THOAS LINDNER. As fashion fades – only style remains, Thoas Lindner's collection is characterized by his unmistakable handwriting. In a symbiosis of elegance and destruction, past and future arises a sophisticated modern collection for both men and women. Radical charming.