Staffordshire NEU – The Big Weekend: Take One!

The Big Weekend is one of our most popular events – so this year we are holding TWO!!

There will be a second Big Weekend in the Summer term, to tie in with the Staffordshire NEU District AGM.

The Autumn Big Weekend consists of 3 parts, and to keep things simple there are 3 separate forms.

So, you only need to sign up to the relevant sections.

Friday morning/afternoon – Staffordshire NEU Workplace Rep Training

Finalised Schedule

• 09:00 – Arrival (refreshments & snacks)
• 09:30 – Morning session – three workshops, with 10 minute breaks between.
• 12:30 – Lunch
• 13:10 – Afternoon session – two workshops, with a 10 minute break between.
• 15:10 – Plenary and end of training

The morning and afternoon sessions will consist of 5 workshops, covering:

• Sickness absence – Deborah Alston
• The NEU Anti-racist Toolkit – David Muritu
• Supporting members through the disciplinary process – Rebecca Cann
• Meeting with leadership – Jo Allen
• 1265, directed time calendars, and resisting “Job Creep” – Keely Jones, Kirsty Edkins-Gadbsy & Steve Griffiths

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Friday evening – Staffordshire NEU General Meeting and Social Time

During the Friday evening, at 6:30 pm, Staffordshire NEU will hold the first “General Meeting” of the year.

Outline Agenda

• Welcome from the Staffordshire NEU President
• Education Support Workshop
• Delegation to the Stand Up to Racisms AGM
• Ratify Expenditure
• SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education)
• Warwick Mansell – Education Uncovered subscription
• Rep of the Year Presentation
• NORSCARF events & Burton Stand Up to Racism
• 2025-6 Budget & Other Financial Matters
• NEU Annual Conference Arrangements
• AOB

Following the General Meeting, will be a buffet-style meal and social/entertainment time – so feel free to bring a partner, friend and colleagues.

All meeting rooms are on the ground floor and are accessible.

We can provide supervised activities for children while members attend the meeting.

For reps/members who wish to attend the sessions on Saturday morning, but for whom travel time would be a factor, we can provide accommodation at the hotel.

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Saturday Morning – Activist Sessions

The final session of the Big Weekender is Activist training open to ALL members.

Schedule

• 09:30 – Arrival (refreshments & snacks)
• 10:00 – Morning session – three workshops, with 10 minute breaks between.
• 13:00 – Plenary & “Grab & Go” Lunch (you don’t need to “go”, you can hang around and socialise)

The Activist Sessions will be covering:

• Working Through Menopause & the NEU Menopause Toolkit
• Challenging & Changing the Curriculum
• Building LGBT+ Friendly Workplaces & the NEU LGBT+ Charter

If you would like to offer an additional activity for members, please let us know – steven.griffiths@neu.org.uk