Nutshells #67 Mar 07

6/ 7 20 0 ER N W IN R D A W A SH IP ER EM B M N A L A TI O N

THE 67th EDITION FOR ALL PLYMOUTH TEACHERS MARCH 2007

A GOOD LOCAL SCHOOL FOR EVERY CHILD

WORKLOAD AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT WHAT COMES NEXT… The Office of Manpower Economics reported in 2006 about teacher workload following the so-called “workforce agreement,” with the following 2 points: ♦ “There was no statistically significant reduction in teachers’ working time” ♦ “Time spent teaching was reduced by 18 minutes a week” The NUT workload ballot was an overwhelming success allowing NUT members to choose the important issues from those listed in the NUT Guidelines when schools begin the consultation process. This will ensure that these matters will be addressed. The NUT will support you and will ballot members for strike action where HTs refuse to implement our guidelines.

“Trust” Schools Update The NUT’s campaign against trust schools has moved the DfES to write to NUT General Secretary, Steve Sinnott, about the NUT’s activities in the Southwest. Our steadfast support for community schools and proper accountability within the local authority protects children and employees from further experiments and a lessening of employment rights. Clearly the case for this change has not been made and other Plymouth and Devon head teachers agree that there is no merit in seeking trust status. CONSULTATION? Will staff, parents and governors be properly informed of the sound arguments against trust status? We have seen no evidence that democratic debate or opportunities for balanced arguments will be aired. Will facilities be provided for the distribution of a counter point of view to people in the local community? NO GUARANTEES At no stage have guarantees been offered that staff pay and conditions or admissions policies would remain unchanged following the removal of community status. Future governors could make these detrimental changes. The only argument pathfinder trust schools use to support their position is that becoming a trust will help improve standards...an unproven theory at best and a potential slight on the current management, governors and staff. The “power to innovate” doesn’t need trust status—so why travel this uncertain path?

A recent visitor to Plymouth Division was Baljeet Ghale our Plymouth NUT National vice-President. Baljeet is seen with David Smale Meeting [Plymouth NUT’s Division Secretary] at a UN Day held at Venues—an Tamarside Community College. Baljeet will be the first occasional black National NUT President when she begins her period of series—P2 office at Harrogate next month.

Independent of Government and not affiliated to any political party Call the Joining Hotline 0845 300 1669

Andy A naked Sooty asks Woolley Education on ITV1 Secretary

What’s that Sooty? Éducation! Educatio! Erziehung!

The Kings Arms at Tamerton Foliot was the first venue used by Plymouth NUT in 1998 for a series of pre-meetings before the first Committee was established Is this your experience of consultation? When your school begins to negotiate the lesson observation protocol alongside the performance management policy, the NUT’s excellent publication [ask your rep to lend you their copy] will provide you with the information and protection you need. Ensure that the NUT’s policy on classroom observation is the one NUT members choose to adopt in your school! Problems? Contact the Secretary on 01503 240527

Lipson teacher in TES Magazine Congratulations to Matthew Oakes who appeared in the 9th March edition talking about school leadership. With so many HTs soon to retire there is a vital need for younger colleagues to address the shortage in a positive way!

The Alan Regional Johnson MP Secretary about appeared primary school MFL teaching on Westcountry TV on Monday 12th March in a documentary about school visits and outdoor activities. The NUT broadly supports these extra-curricular experiences in sharp contrast with the NASUWT position which advises their members not to take part.

A LOTTERY HERE?

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT “Exercise Your Collective Voice” Schools will have to consult with staff and teacher unions to reach an agreed policy on performance management NUT members will be able to use the NUT Guidelines for this consultation Each NUT school group will create their own list of concerns and issues over workload, classroom observations, PPA time and performance management etc Support will be given to Reps and members where discussions are inadequate or the consultation turns out to be little more than window dressing The NUT Workload Ballot protects you In many cases the current performance management policy can continue with little change Three targets for the reviewee and about four reviewees for each reviewer is reasonable A classroom observation protocol will also have to be agreed as part of the performance management policy and for use during other observations throughout the year The NUT will issue clear advice on the best use of classroom observations that can inform the policy in your school Other unions [including the RIG] are expected to issue their guidance—remember that the NUT Guidelines have equal weight as any others; our Guidelines have not been influenced by the DfES and are independent Is class size an issue where you work? Do you have more than one meeting a week? Are meetings scheduled during lunchtime? Are you told to cover for absent colleagues during PPA time? Are you expected to provide the work for non-teachers covering your PPA time? Are all your colleagues getting at least 10% PPA time? Are NQTs receiving their proper entitlement [at least 19%]? Is missed PPA time paid back? Is planning excessive in your school? Could assessment be streamlined? Did you know that there will be less emphasis on exam and test results in the new performance management regime? You should arrange for your school NUT Rep and another colleague to attend the next NUT training session on Performance Management—contact the Secretary for more information

♦

THE NUT IS THE ONLY UNION TAKING THESE STEPS TO REDUCE WORKLOAD ♦ THE NUT IS THE LARGEST TEACHING UNION IN EUROPE DROP-INS The DfES has given in to pressure from some HTs to allow unlimited and unannounced visits to classrooms [now called drop-ins] despite united union opposition

NOTES 1.

2. 3. 4.

Additional copies of the Guidelines and notes on what to do next may be quickly obtained from Regional Office on 01392 258028 or look on the NUT website NUT Guidelines meet the demands of the Performance Management Regulations Copies of our Guidelines have been sent to all HTs and Chairs of Governors If you are unsuccessful in your negotiations the NUT will ballot members at your school for strike action

Parents expect their children to be taught while they are at school by qualified teachers. We know that the government has advised HTs and governors that schools can allow TAs or any person to take whole classes. Parents are often not fully informed of the implications for their children when nonteachers take charge of the class. The NUT believes that TAs and other support staff should be paid properly for the professional work they do. They should never be employed to replace teachers. So, If your school only uses qualified teachers to teach whole classes let us know so we can bestow the kite mark on your school. Contact our President Martin Edmonds at: edmonds _ [email protected]

Do you know where unqualified people are replacing teachers in Plymouth? Get in touch (anonymously if you wish)

A member asks, “My HT says we have to have to hold some staff meetings during PPA time—is she correct?” Answer: No. PPA time is sacrosanct and you decide how it should be used. If any meetings have been held during your PPA time, then the PPA time lost will have to be made up—that’s what “guaranteed” means and it’s statutory! There’s no escape... A teacher governor member asks, “I’ve found out that only half of eligible teachers at my school received their expected UPS pay rise last term due to financial constraints. They were told it was for lower-than-expected key stage and GCSE results etc. What should I say?” Answer: It would be unlawful for UPS progress to be denied due to a tight budget. If you are correct, it should be easy to demolish reliance on spurious data as other teachers teach the same students and one would broadly expect similar outcomes. NUT members denied UPS progress for any reason should contact the Plymouth Secretary. The good news is that incremental progress will rely less on crude student results from September 2007 when the new Performance Management regime begins. To find out more, make sure your school rep attends the next NUT training course run in your area!

Has your Rep attended a Rep’s Training Course at Stoke Rochford?

Any Questions? Contact [email protected]

Are you the new NUT Rep or mail distributor in your school? Tell John on 01752 707606 so he can update your address label today! [email protected]

AGM—ALL NUT MEMBERS WELCOME March 29th @ 5pm at the CHINA HOUSE Sutton Quay. We are particularly seeking black teacher and union learning representatives. There are also some general committee posts available, so if you feel you could volunteer please contact the Secretary for more information. Buffet at 6pm! Call David on 01503240527 so we can order enough food