This article from one of our members first appeared in the 'I' in earlier this month, well worth a read if you need to understand why so many teachers find it difficult to remain in the classroom. No one gets into teaching for the money. Which is good, since as graduate professions go, teaching isn’t nearly as well paid as others. I qualified in 2008. You may remember 2008 from such exclamations as, “Where’s all my money gone?” I was never so unfortunate to have any money to lose, but it means I’ve spent most of my career suffering under the weight of the public sector pay cap. And I do suffer. No one gets into teaching for the money, but as a nice side product most of us would like the chance to invest in little things like… oh I don’t know… a future. And I’m writing in the north east, not an expensive place to live. Except even up here I’ve not managed to buy a house and for a simple reason: anything I save loses its value as inflation goes rushing ahead of...

After an awesome little gathering in Durham on Thursday, people from a half dozen different divisions and representing both NUT and ATL sections discussed some exciting new projects and events. Next meeting will be hosted by Mid Northumberland, 13th December, Bar Luga, Morpeth. 5:30pm Poverty Seminar and Potential Round Table Event .— Bob Webb 22nd November, York Prof Terry  Wrigley is busy organising a seminar on Poverty in Education involving academics, union officers, including Kevin Courtney and any interested parties through the Reclaiming Schools  Network (find them on Twitter). Prof Wrigley is asking divisions and associations to sponsor some of the costs of the event if they are able. The group also discussed a possible Roundtable event which would take place in the evening in the hope that a MTAS type coalition of campaigners and organisers can start to come together. Poverty in School CPD event—Emma Parker December, date tbc, Durham. ...