Hello! (24/05/19)
I hope you're all doing well! So, a lot has happened since I last updated you. I will be posting many more updates after the 12th of June (when my exams finish) and I want to just make this very clear: I am not giving up on this petition any time soon.
First of all, I would like to say a huge thank you for 290 signs. Is this a joke? You're all amazing human beings and to all those who have commented on this petition... a special thank you. I can't tell you how helpful they are. I' m so grateful to each and every one of you. Reading through all the discussion comments is just incredibly heartwarming and just mind-boggling.
Moving on, I did meet with the Head of Derby College and the Vice Principal of Derby College (if they're reading this then thank you for taking an interest.) I did discuss everything about this petition that I wanted to and they did listen to my points as well as they could I guess. Of course, the issue of funding was their dominating argument and that despite having a 'good' financial rating they could not afford to give increments to teachers as it could lead to bankruptcy.
They also told me that despite freezing increments for the last 4 years, their teachers are still at an advantage because their pension will eventually make up the years of unfair pay. Make of this what you will...
Personally, I argued that this doesn't mean teachers shouldn't get recognised for all they do with a fair pay now and of course they said that they do value the teachers they have. I guess actually showing that in their pay is out of the question. They told me that in the future they are considering giving teachers increments which quite frankly, I find hard to believe. However, with this petition growing this becomes a bigger possibility. So, do please keep sharing!
To summarise, every point I argued was retorted with their financial position- which sometimes was derailing from the point I put across (such as those in higher positions getting pay rises). To an extent their emphasis on their financial position is understandable, I know that they haven't got a "pot of money lying around"- how could a college with a "good" financial rating have that? I do feel that they are solely looking at Derby College as a business not an educational institution. Due to this, they are not prioritising teachers and instead are looking at the short term effects of their decisions. Despite my argument that brilliant teachers could leave if pay continues to be unfair, this was returned with the implication that some teachers wish to leave because of other factors such as travelling to work- disregarding pay as a factor. I also understood how they could just "hire more" teachers however, looking back, this could be seen as an example of how experience in teachers is easily overlooked for financial prosperity.
However, I feel inclined to say that if they are reading this then I truly thank you for taking the time to see me. Despite feeling completely hopeless about my petitions ability to change things after the meeting was over, It made me take the time to think about everything said and how I could further this petition and make a change. It won't be easy. But, with our petition we are effectively applying pressure to this issue so change could be on the horizon.
The next update I make will be my discussion of the article published on our petition by Rachel Sutherland on the Derby Telegraph website: https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/student-launches-petition-teachers-derby-2874098 but, I would just like to comment on how incredible it was finding this was written and published. My heart was so full. I'll give my full thoughts next time! If you haven't checked it out please do. You're all just...incredible. I know I say that a lot but you are. I can't believe the amount of support we are getting. I'm proud of us.
Also, if you have any further questions about the meeting please leave them below and I will be sure to answer them (unfortunately I could not cover every detail in this short update!)