NIEC membership provides access to numerous educational resources and also discounts to events and services. Please read our Terms of Reference below before continuing to the online application form.
National Independent Education Coalition
PO Box 62717 London SW2 9FN
Website: www.niecoalition.org Email: mail@niecoalition.org
PO Box 62717 London SW2 9FN
Website: www.niecoalition.org Email: mail@niecoalition.org
Read our
Join the NIEC Now article
Join the NIEC Now article
Mission Statement
The NIEC is a group of Black African and Caribbean organisations that represents the educational interests and needs of communities in the United Kingdom. Our mission is to address inequalities and enhance the quality of life for
our communities by campaigning with one voice and influencing change on the Education of Black children in the UK.
Terms of Reference
1. Name
The organisation shall be called the National Independent Education Coalition, hereafter referred to as NIEC and shall be managed by the ‘NIEC Steering Committee’.
2. Background
The National Independent Education Coalition was officially launched at Croydon Town Hall on Saturday 14th October 2006 at its first national conference ‘Stop Blaming the Children’. “For over 40 years Black communities have told it like it is and exposed the fact that British Schools fail our children. Its time for change but a change is not gonna come if we simply sit and wait and hope for it to happen. Instead we must unite parents, teachers, trade unions, community activist and young people themselves in a campaign that demands high quality education for all.” Brian Richardson – Editor ‘Tell It like It Is’ 2005
“Our vision is to have a unified body of Grass Roots organisations and individuals that can effectively pool their resources to address the challenges our people face in the learning environment.”
3. Purpose
The primary purpose of NIEC is to influence positive change in the education of Black children in the UK through a collective united body. The Steering Group of the NIEC will discuss, put forward proposals and gather feedback on educational priorities and issues. Meetings will be held on a regular basis and will provide us with a space to strengthen the BME voices on relevant issues. NIEC may develop and formulate links with other associate bodies as deemed relevant.
4. Deliverable Functions
· To lead on the national educational priorities affecting black children.
· To create and develop a Strategy for the organisation.
· To create and develop fundraising plans & income generation ideas and events for implementation of the NIEC agenda, priorities and sustainable existence.
· To review and update working practices within NIEC in line within the agreed purpose and mission statement.
· To set up, implement and monitor a delivery work plan for NIEC.
5. NIEC Work Priorities
i. To produce a quarterly e-newsletter.
ii. To develop an NIEC website promoting our work and events.
iii. To create an NIEC directory of service providers and support that will be accessible to members.
iv. To review policies and influence their impact on Education.
v. To develop a Cultural Diversity within the National Curriculum (especially Curriculum Development in: English, Mathematics, Science, History and PSHE).
vi. To develop a protocol for effective behaviour of teachers towards African and Caribbean students and culture.
vii. To improve the level of involvement of parents in children’s education.
viii. (a) To collate and share good working practices and successful project initiatives. (b) To share and disseminate examples of bad school working practices.
ix. To develop a framework for setting up a secondary school.
x. To develop a national resource of Culturally Diverse educational resources and materials for agencies and schools.
xi. To support charities, voluntary agencies and organisations which mirror the objectives of the NIEC.
xii. To direct parents experiencing difficulties or injustice in schools to providers of advice and casework support.
xiii. To develop a network of professionals who will provide a limited level of pro bono support to agencies and families in need through our Pioneers Community Programme.
6. Meetings
i. Frequency
Meetings of the committee shall be at least every 4-6 weeks, and at such times and places as determined by itself, provided no less than 48 hours notice is given.
ii. Quorum
A quorum meeting shall comprise of 50% (minimum three) of the current membership of the Committee.
iii. Voting
Decisions shall be made by the consensus of those in attendance at the meetings.
iv. Chair
A Chair will be nominated and voted for at each meeting.
v. Minutes
Minutes will be circulated two weeks after the meeting takes place. Minutes of meeting will be checked by and ratified at the next Steering Group meeting.
7. Location
The NIEC will meet at each of the Steering Group members offices (depending on availability and space)
8. Membership Fees/Collective Responsibility
Membership to NIEC will be validated by payment of an introductory annual membership fee of £15 per individual person or £50 per organisation. Membership is free to young people aged 18 years and under. The membership fee is part of the collective responsibility of all NIEC members towards delivering the NIEC agenda and ensuring that NIEC remains and independent and viable coalition addressing the priorities set. All other income generated by NIEC will also be used towards addressing the NIEC priorities set. The decisions for expenditure must be approved by a quorate (two thirds) of NIEC Steering Group members.
9. Membership/Voting
Any Black African or Caribbean Educational focussed organisation or group (that has a BME steering group/guiding document/ terms of reference/Constitution) based in the United Kingdom and is providing services to African and/or Caribbean UK communities can be a voting member (one organisation : one vote).
Membership of the Coalition shall also be open to all parents and teachers of African & Caribbean origin who support the objectives of NIEC.
Individuals and groups from other nationalities that support the objectives of NIEC, can be co-opted members but not vote.
The subscribers to NIEC and such other persons as the Steering Group shall admit to membership shall be members of the Coalition.
Voting rights should be pointed out at the start of any voting procedure so that all members are clear.
NIEC will strive to ensure that the community in each town nationally can participate and benefit equally from the NIEC agenda.
Paid employees of the Coalition are not eligible for membership or being part of the Steering Group.
An application for membership may be approved or rejected by the Steering Group.
The NIEC Steering Group shall have the right for good and sufficient reason to terminate the membership of any member PROVIDED THAT the member concerned shall have a right to be heard before a final decision is made.
Membership of the Coalition shall also be open to all parents and teachers of African & Caribbean origin who support the objectives of NIEC.
Individuals and groups from other nationalities that support the objectives of NIEC, can be co-
The subscribers to NIEC and such other persons as the Steering Group shall admit to membership shall be members of the Coalition.
Voting rights should be pointed out at the start of any voting procedure so that all members are clear.
NIEC will strive to ensure that the community in each town nationally can participate and benefit equally from the NIEC agenda.
Paid employees of the Coalition are not eligible for membership or being part of the Steering Group.
An application for membership may be approved or rejected by the Steering Group.
The NIEC Steering Group shall have the right for good and sufficient reason to terminate the membership of any member PROVIDED THAT the member concerned shall have a right to be heard before a final decision is made.
10. NIEC Steering Group Committee/Voting
The NIEC Steering Group shall consist of no more than nine members.
The Steering Group Committee Members are volunteers and should be a fully paid member to be eligible to join the Steering Group Committee. Steering Group Committee Members are entitled to 50% discount of the membership fee.
The composition of the membership shall be reviewed every three years.
Nominations for membership of the Steering Group may be submitted by fully paid up members and should be submitted by the agreed deadline.
The election will take place at a meeting of voting members by secret ballot.
Voting rights are granted to those listed under the Membership/Voting section of this Terms of Reference.
The composition of the membership shall be reviewed every three years.
Nominations for membership of the Steering Group may be submitted by fully paid up members and should be submitted by the agreed deadline.
The election will take place at a meeting of voting members by secret ballot.
Voting rights are granted to those listed under the Membership/Voting section of this Terms of Reference.
11. Code of Conduct
Collective decisions will be made after a full and democratic discussion Chaired by the nominated Chair for that meeting
NIEC members must respect each other, each other’s opinions and respond politely.
Every Member should speak through the Chair and in English unless an interpreter is required, which should be stated at the beginning of the meeting.
NIEC members must respect and welcome the diversity of members, which means not making assumptions, judgements or discriminating against any person or group on the basis of their ethnic origin, gender, sexuality, disability or age.
NIEC members are expected to attend meetings and involve themselves in the work of the Coalition as required to undertake the role of a steering group committee member.
Members are expected to disclose any potential or actual conflict of interest which may arise.
Where the NIEC’s Terms of Reference is thought to have been breached, an investigation will be undertaken and the member can be asked to leave the Coalition if the breach is proven.
12. Confidentiality
The basic premise of confidentiality is that in the performance of our duties as members; all personal and sensitive information shared at the NIEC Steering Group meetings will not be discussed outside of that particular venue or with any individuals who are not members of the NIEC Steering Group at any time.
Membership