Save Our Sixth Form Colleges Say No to Sixth Form College Cuts Support the NUT Campaign

The NUT campaign Our strike in March was a great success – raising the profile of the cuts to 6FCs Our ballot had a historically high turnout and Yes vote and we fought off Nicky Morgan’s attempt to declare the strike illegal Our national demonstration in London was attended by hundreds of members – and many more joined in events locally

The NUT campaign 6FCs were prominent at November’s NUT lobby of Parliament on funding The following week’s Autumn Statement included some concessions on funding – but not enough to remove the threats. NUT members have resisted job cuts and proposals to worsen conditions in many individual colleges

The NUT campaign NUT Conference unanimously agreed that the campaign to protect sixth form colleges should continue Members will be balloted about further national “discontinuous” strike action (ie not just a one day strikes) Action will take place alongside NUT members in schools - and other education unions that decide to join in

The funding crisis The Coalition Government slashed funding for sixth form colleges The Conservatives are cutting funding further – the promise to protect funding in “cash terms per pupil” will mean a further 8% real terms cut over the next 4 years

The impact of the funding crisis The Government says it recognises that sixth form colleges are successful - but … Colleges have implemented redundancies, increased group sizes and reduced the courses offered Students have suffered from these cuts and the abolition of the EMA

Area reviews The Government’s “area reviews” threaten to force many 6FCs into merger with general FE colleges The funding pressures being used by the Government to justify mergers and closures have been created as a result of its own policy of slashing funding

Academisation Academisation is not the solution to 6FCs’ problems – in fact it might end the sector as we know it Any financial benefit would be wiped out by the further funding cuts being planned Just like academisation of schools, it would certainly threaten the national pay and conditions framework

The NUT ballot The NUT will ballot members in 6FCs in the autumn term for further strike action Before then, we ballot members in schools and academies for strike action in early July Further strike action in 6FCs and in schools and academies will be coordinated as far as possible to happen on the same dates

Education cuts don’t heal A first class education system is essential for growth We need to invest in education We should be supporting, not attacking, the highly successful 6FC sector A Government that doesn’t value education doesn’t understand economics

What is the NUT seeking? Protection of 6FC pay and conditions Restoration of funding to the levels prior to the Coalition started its cuts Exemption from VAT - without having to apply for academy status Removal of the threat of closure or merger - and recognition of 6FCs’ achievements

What can we do? Continue to support the NUT campaign Talk to teachers, parents and students about the importance of the campaign Lobby your MP and local media Get ready for next term’s ballot and support the strike in schools There is an alternative – be part of the fight back!