NOVEMBER 30th 2000

Page last up-dated 26/11/2000. Previous Meeting (October 19th 2000). Feedback form (to send in motions, reports and agenda items).

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Suffolk Division NUT

Executive Committee (17:30 - 18:45)

and DIVISION COUNCIL MEETING (18:45 - 21:00)

November 30th 2000 at Northgate High School, Sidegate Lane West, IPSWICH (Map)

Secretary's mobile 'phone for late apologies: 07850 221051

Registration: Please sign the attendance register and record any apologies for absence. The meeting will be begin at 19:00, giving a period of reading and informal discussion. Motions arising from anything on this agenda should be sent to the Secretary to arrive before the Executive Committee meeting.

Part 1: Information and Reports.

Apologies already recorded: For EC. Tricia Andrews (Tricia is in hospital on the day of our meeting: there is a card for Tricia which Council Members are invited to sign, to be taken to her Ipswich Hospital Reception.) For Council: Sharon Cozens.

Section A:

National Reports and Correspondence: Glenys Shepherd to report.

  1. STRB Report Mark 2: Announced in NUT News 26. NUT gains the right to appeal for Threshold and Performance Management decisions. The Union's legal action obtained the right to appeal on threshold decisions, the right to make late applications in certain circumstances, threshold assessment participation restricted to those with a line management function, feedback to those who were not assessed as having reached the threshold standard (required for appeals), a review of the the threshold standards for 2002. No additional forms required to filled in. Poster: No Snooper's Charter. The GS has written to all MPs re. the roles of the external assessors, denial of access to Tribunals, unfettered right to appeal (no prior need to seek leave to appeal), Pupil Progress: unreliability of data leading to unreliable decisions on thresholds.
  2. DfEE: School Teachers' Pay and Conditions of Employment: Guidance on Threshold: Circular to Heads and LEAS. "Please share with all teaching staff". Details of Change of timetable, heads to given written feedback to unsuccessful candidates, provision for review (appeal) and heads can complain about an external assessor.
  3. **** Early Day Motions arising from STRB Report 2: Phil Willias (Lib Dem) has tabled an EDM. Request to contact our MPs. (Bury Association has outline agreement to meet Spring and Ruffley together in the New Year).
  4. Executive News No 75 (duplicated for meeting): NUT/NUS Links, Threshold Assessment: STRB Report, Threshold Watch, External Assessors, TUC Matters, Anti-Discrimination Legislation, National Government, Party Conferences.
  5. Delays: The Secretary has written to the General Secretary reporting concerns that the Government is deliberately delaying the commencement of assessment of headteacher's decisions so that no payments can be expected until May 2001 at the earliest. See motion in part 2.
  6. New legal challenge over right of assessors to alter headteachers' decision: The Union is indicating that it will challenge any assessor who overturns a positive decision from a headteacher, on the grounds that they do not have any legal power to overrule the head's decision.
  7. C Woodhead: "History" Poster. Secretary was asked for comments on Radio Suffolk and spent some 15 minutes explaining the damage OFSTED has done in general, and Woodhead's personal negative effects.
  8. **** Applicability of the NUT's Bureaucracy report. Action guidelines sent out by Secretary as a Briefing for all members (see below).
  9. Unacceptable Pupil Behaviour: Union's up-dated guidance on dealing with unacceptable behaviour and restraint. Very well received and very popular with members. See County Report. Also "In peace and safety" poster (NUT News 28) and circular to LA Secs.
  10. Procedures for Excluding a Pupil: DfEE Circular 10/99 has made important changes in the procedure. Those of greatest important to teachers are:
    Para. 27: "If they wish, an alleged victim should also be given a voice at the (exclusion) hearing in person, through a representative or by a written statement."
    Para. 34: "Where a headteacher has excluded a pupil in accordance with clearly stated provisions in the school's published discipline policy, for example, zero tolerance on drug dealing, then the appeal panel should not normally direct reinstatement."
    Para. 35: The school is responsible for promoting good behaviour and discipline on the part of its pupils and for securing an orderly and sfate learning environment for its pupils and staff. In deciding whether to direct reinstatement, therefore, the panel must consider the impact that it may have on other members of the school. The Secretary of State would not normally regard it as inappropriate to reinstate a pupil who has been permanently excluded in circumstances involving any of the following:
    • serious actual or threatened violence against another pupil or member of staff, or
    • sexual abuse or
    • presenting a significant risk to the health and safety of other pupils by selling illegal drugs or
    • persistent and malicious disruptive behaviour including open defiance or refusal to conform with agree school policies on, for example, discipline or dress code.
    Para. 36: "to reach a decision, the panel may need to hear evidence from those directly or indirectly involved, including the pupil and any alleged victim. |The Discipline Committee may not introduce new reasons for the exclusion (at this point). However, the parent and the LEA may put forward new information that was previously unavailable. If this happens, the Discipline Committee should be given an opportunity to respond.
  11. **** Your rights at work: new TUC Guide. Copy received for the Division. Further copies available at £7.45 each (or £5,45 for 10+).
  12. EAZ News, Autumn 2000
  13. Grant 48: National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies: The DfEE has allocated £18.6m via Grant 48 of the Standards Fund 2000-01 to cover 5 new initiatves at a grant of 100%, to provide "cath-up" support to pupils who are likely to fall just below Level 4 at the end of KS2, unless they receive extra support. The money is for the Springboard 5 programme involving training for all Yr 5 teachers this term. Springboard 5 materials have been sent to all schools with KS2 pupils. Each Springboard 5 teaching group (8-12 pupils) is funded at about £900 per group. This should allow:
    • supply cover for each Yr 5 teacher to teach the extra maths lesson
    • payment for the classroom assistant to observe the lessons and attend planning meetings
    • payment for the classroom assistant to run the follow-up sessions
    • an additional payment to the teacher for any additional time of planning
    • a half day training session for all maths coorindators
    - Literacy: All schools have been funded to provide supply cover for all Yr 5 teachers to attend one day of training,on effective teaching of writing, during the autumn or spring term.
    - Advice: the Union is underlining that all national numeracy strategy is non-statutory. Teachers should not be expected to teach outside the school day. It must all be voluntary. Any voluntary participation they should be properly remunerated.
    - Follow-up with LEA: The Secretary has copied this circular to Chris Sunley at County Hall and is asking Local Secretaries to ensure that all schools with Yr 5 teachers are aware of the Union advice.
    Secretary has asked Chris Sunley for information as to Suffolk's advice to schools on this.
  14. Nominations requested for Retired Teachers Advisory Committee (Local Associations only).
  15. Heating Standards in Schools: Annual reminder of the circular. The advice will be published shortly on our website. The existing advice needs some up-dating (it is now all under the Education School Premises Regulations 1999. The minimum temperature for classrooms is 18ºC (64.4º F).
  16. H&S Adviser's bulletin 58: Smoking at work, stress, DfEE website on Health and Safety, fire safety, modern foreign languages teaching accommodation and National Hawards Conference 2001.
  17. **** Additional Funding for LEA Maintained nursery schools: the DfEE has announced additional funding (£26,501 for Suffolk) to be spend on "securing the long-term future of LEA nursery schools" (sic). The Secretary has written to David Thornton to ask for discussions on how the LEA intend to use this money and has copied the circular to the NUT Rep in Suffolk's only remaining (?) Nursery School, Highfield.
  18. QTS Skills Tests: briefing from HQ on the test for numeracy, literacy, and ICT tests for trainee teachers, and the interim arrangements for the numeracy test. The Union opposes these tests as unnecessary and unfair, especially for those who embarked upon a training course unaware that this extra pre-requisite was to be imposed. The circular also gives advice to Divisions on how to advise student teachers.
  19. Excellence in cities: update.
  20. **** Advice on the Implications of the Steven Lawrence Inquiry. Secretary to propose that the EC set up a working party to examine the implications and to seek to influence the situation in Suffolk LEA, with particular regard to monitoring.
  21. Home Office Report of the interdepartmental working group on transsexual people. Division is asked to contact the LEA to promote equality for transgendered employees. Copies of the report of the working party are available from www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ccpd/wgtrans.pdf .
  22. The new "Connexions" service and schools: advice from HQ.
  23. **** DfEE Circular 0255/00 "The Standards Fund 2001-2002": Summarises the arrangements for LEAs and schools. Secretary to copy to JNC members and Teacher Reps.
  24. The Burgundy Book: now published. Division has a copy + briefing on it from HQ. See Divisional Report for local action.
  25. Soulbury Pay Negotiations update: seeking significant pay increase, up-dating of structure, and more family-friendly conditions of service. Need to adapt following the new structure in teaching, to preserve differentials and mesh in with developments such as Advance Skills Teachers.
  26. **** TUC Workbook on Tackling Racism: Secretary believes that this is an excellent publication and is suitable for schools, for older students, especially sixth-formers. £10 each. Suggestions for ways of disseminating would be welcome.
  27. Conference Motion on part-timers' rights sent in and acknowledged. Secretary also wrote to Graham Clayton (20/11/00) re. the pension arrangements, asking whether he thought it was discriminatory and weather Suffolk could unilaterally ignore the regulations on the grounds that they were illegal. No reply as yet.
  28. No further response from HQ re. Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday
  29. **** Annual Conference 2001: EC to determine representation of Division; Accommodation and travel needs; Crèche facilities; Nomination for Conference Business Committee (Associations only); Application for Observer Credentials; Order form for Conference documents (Annual report, any memoranda). Secretary still holding back on making hotel bookings until delegation is clearer.
  30. Request for financial support for Stonewall, the charity which campaigns for lesbian, gay and bisexual equality. the NUT is affiliated nationally.
  31. **** Education Review: Autumn 2000 and invitation to subscribe. This edition concentrates on professional development, including the NUT's own initiatives.
  32. **** Promoting Comprehensive Education in the 21st Century, Conference, Saturday 3rd February 11:00-17:00, ULU< Nalet Street London. Free to parents and public, but request a contribution of £50 or £100 to sponsor the Conference from union branches.
  33. **** From STOPP: National Petition, Request for affiliation/donation (£50.00 for Union associations). Tricia Andrews has prepared a report on the STOPP November 5th Conference.
  34. Secretary regrest that he has not been able to follow up the request for more information on the Library Campaign.
  35. Workload and Working Time: STRB Survey Report. Interesting evidence to support increasing workload and stress. Average working hours worked by classroom teachers given as 52.8 hrs per week (Primary) and 51.3 hrs per week (Secondary). Circular copied to H&S Adviser (also went to Association Secretaries).
  36. ***** Next H&S Advisers' Briefing Course, SRH, 5-7 March 2001.
  37. Autumn 2000 Edition of "Equality", "Winning on equality in Education".
  38. Autumn 2000 Edition of "Headway": Contains an up-date of our Performance Management Policy (available also on the Suffolk website) to take into account the changes made by the STRN (eg. appeal).
  39. From Teacherline: one year on.
  41. SECTION B: REGIONAL (John Dixon to report).
  42. Regional Meeting on November 22nd. Secretary's report available separately. This meeting was in a new format which proved very useful and productive. Agenda items were restricted to discussion and information exchange, including: Student recruitment, NQT recruitment, Performance Management/Threshold, Bureaucracy Campaign, New Capability Procedures, Child Restraint and Allegations of Abuse, Revisions to Local Authority retirement polices.
  43. It was reported in the meeting above, that some LEAs were now looking at not giving automatic access to pensions at 50 in cases of redundancy. It is not a statutory provision, and Suffolk still exceeds the statutory minimum redundancy payment.
  44. Bedfordshire LEA has been virtually totally privatised. The "LEA" is now wondering what it is there for, as are the Councillors. At least they can't be blamed for anything!
  45. Hilary Bucky has been appointed to the vacant Regional Official's post and she will be responsible for Suffolk Division. The Regional Office will be up to its new strength and fully staffed, after Christmas.
  46. Regional Office informs us that there is still a vacancy for an Eastern Regional rep to the National NUT Working Party on Gay and Lesbian Equality.
    Section C: Division / County:Division Secretary, Martin Goold, to report, including items from the preceding Executive Committee meeting.
  47. **** Nominations to Division Posts. Nominations have been received for Treasurer (Maggie Freeman), Assistant Secretary (Penny Cook).
  48. **** Dates and venues for Division Council Meetings: Next meetings confirmed as January 25th 2001 and February 15th. 2001. Ipswich Association to be asked to choose a venue for the AGM on March 29th.
  49. **** The SSPDC is now open on a few Thursday evenings for Governor Training. If any coincide with our meeting dates, the EC is asked to consider whether this venue would be preferable.
  50. Re, NQTs in Suffolk last year: confirmation that there were 2 extensions for illness, for one term.
  51. **** Autumn Briefing, November 2000: was sent to Local Association Secretaries at the beginning of November, for distribution to members. Also posted on website. On Threshold, Performance Management and Workload. + Notice of the Unacceptable Pupil Behaviour booklets in school. (No copies were FAXed to Reps this time because of the change in FAX facilities, see below)
  52. Meetings of Members of Advisory Service and allied staff have been organised for November 27th (Northgate High School), November 29th (Westley MS) and December 5th (Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft). Arising from the first of these, Alan Aldred has intimated:
    Advisory Headteachers (4-5 posts left) Already assimilated to the Leadership Group: but no decision yet on the range of points to be used after 2000-01. Problems over differentials with line managers on Local Government scales, who have done less well over recent years than teachers and especially headteachers. Some on specific tasks may remain on "spot" salaries.
    Advisory Teachers (previously deputy headteacher scale point 2) Currently being paid on a spot point on the interim scale B (used only for assimilation purposes) (£28,623). LEA proposes to transfer to scale 6-10 of Advanced Skills Teacher scale (£29,394-31,272). This will mean only a small increase backdated September, followed by 4 annual increments, subject to "Performance Management" outcomes. So, Advisory Teachers can be overtaken in 5 years by a post-threshold classroom teacher with one management point. If assimilated from the August 31st position to the Leadership Spine, these teachers would have begun September 2000 on £29,157 and could have looked forward to 4 increments to £33,054. This would actually have recompensed these teachers for the loss of threshold opportunity.
    LEA proposes to use Local Government Officer's criteria for performance management, not the threshold criteria or leadership target setting criteria applicable to teachers.
    Teachers of Travellers' children No changes proposed: ie. their previous pay arrangements (Main Scale +1) to be maintained. Secretary has asked for clarification as to whether this point is transferred to the current arrangements as a first management or first SEN point (is about £30 difference). + threshold payment where applicable. (Post threshold, will produce a salary of £27,444 management, or £27,474 SEN for September 2000. They will also be able to be appraised for the annual post-threshold increments, to £31,503 or £31,533 (SEN).
    Some direct county hall staff paid on teachers' P&CD A few (about 4?) individuals who have not contact with schools / teachers, mostly involved in IT and data processing: proposed to change to Local Government Scales (could be pensions implications)
    Promoted posts in County Music Service Proposed to assimilate as per schoolteachers on the basis that the CMS is a "provider of primary and secondary education".
    Heads of PRUs Proposal is Leadership Spine points 6 to 12 £32,184-37,314) (Group 1 schools rate is L6 to L16).
    Secretary is concerned that this still disadvantages Advisory staff because their pay increase in September 2000 will be considerably less than the £2000 threshold payment they would have received had they remained teaching in a school context. The maximum available on the Advanced-Skills teacher scales proposed is less than post-thresold teachers' maximum with just one management point. A formerly + 4 Head of Department with threshold could earn £5838 (37,110 - 31,272) more than the Advisory Teacher, at maxima. The LEA's excuse is that Advisory Staff are not employed "in the provision of primary and secondary education" and so there is no statutory obligation to assimilate as deputy headteachers. They insist that advisory staff have hitherto been paid with reference to deputies/heads' salaries, not as headteachers or deputies, as a convenient comparison. The provisions of the 2000 P&CD does allow this, but the assimilation process is only statutory, says the LEA, for those in the provision of primary and secondary education. This is debatable in some cases, but most advisory time is spent in teacher education, rather than actual teaching of children.
  53. Early Retirement 2001: The LEA circulated to Heads its annual letter asking Governors to make any nominations for early retirement on the grounds of efficiency (w.e.f. August 2001) by December 8th 2000. Again, this only gives people a couple of weeks to get Governors geared up. The Secretary FAXed a Memo on this to Reps of schools with published FAX numbers, and asked Association Secretaries to distribute copies to their schools.
  54. **** Suffolk LEA has published the Actual Outturn spending statements for 1999-2000 (LMS Document 37/00) giving the outline statement of accounts for all schools, including carry-forwards. Copied to Local Associations and Regional Office.
  55. Local GTC Regional Roadshow, November 2nd. Penny Cook attended. Report also received from Andrew Guite:
    It was introduced by David Peachey, whose favourite bit was showing the fire exits like an airline stewardess! This was followed by overheads on a screen plus accompanying speech by Carol Adams. She began by reiterating Mr.Peachey`s apology on behalf of David Puttnam who was on a three line whip in the Lords. She went over the history and the aims of the GTC:
    - raise the professional status and public standing of teachers
    - provide an independent and influential voice for teachers
    - maintain and guarantee high professional standards of teaching.
    She stated forcefully that there had been far too much negative press and it was no wonder there is a shortage of teachers.
    Next, we were given tasks for our tables. Half the teachers looked at developing a code of professional practice, the other half considered professional development.
    Developing a code of Professional Practice: Teachers felt it should concentrate on practice rather than conduct. They felt there was much to be drawn from LEA and Union advice. One person said that the threshold should be viewed as a chartership, that it should be recognition of professional status and should be the result of experience and reasonable expectation. Note, the GTC will be responsible for the route to be a teacher. The GTC will issue a first draft code in Dec 2000-Feb 2001 for comment. In March 2001 the first code will be completed and distributed.
    The code will enable the GTC to:
    - clearly set out the high standards teachers expect of their profession
    - assist in maintaining those high standards
    - raise the status of the teaching profession, in keeping with other professions
    - provide useful guidance for newly qualified teachers entering the profession
    - assist in the effective handling of cases where conduct or performance are in doubt
    - help ensure equality of opportunity in the Council’s regulatory role.
    Once a first document has been finalised it will be distributed to all registered teachers and will be made widely available to the public. When completed, work will then begin in order to develop the code further in relation to areas of good professional practice. This work will be undertaken in Spring 2001.
    Professional Development: The GTC is keen to look at what teachers might expect from an entitlement to professional development in order to inform policy decisions about what is available at the national, local and school level. There were some scathing comments on videos which I think most of us agree with. There were also negative comments on cascading. Teachers were keen on an individual learning account and new teachers are already used to building up a portfolio.
    I learnt that Rosehill is a Beacon School and that St.Mary’s in Woodbridge has a teacher who gives lesson demonstrations in maths to teachers from other schools and the funding allows the head to release one of his teachers to watch as well. He also provides half a day a fortnight release for every teacher.
    NQT’s would like more support and training for the next couple of years after their probationary year rather than being expected to know it all straight away.
    Another idea being promoted was the right to a sabbatical after so many years, an absolutely splendid idea if you ask me!! I did take the opportunity to point out that the very people who deliver the best in-service training, the subject advisers, (with one exception) are the ones who are losing their jobs because LEA’s can no longer retain central funding. I believe some of the best training is delivered by advisers working in schools with teachers and children. What do you think? Do let me know.
    Finally, someone asked about some of the more contentious issues. The GTC will be writing to each teacher. The letter will be to confirm details given by the LEA, and will be subject to the Data Protection Act. Registering with the GTC will be a requirement for the maintained sector, but what will happen to those who refuse is unclear at the moment! Next Spring the subscription will be set (to be collected in an unspecified way in October 2001). The level will be set, it should be clear what you get for your money, and as a professional subscription it will be eligible for tax relief.
    P.S. Please don’t shoot the messenger! Andrew Guite 14/11/00
  56. GTC: Secretary wrote to David Thornton (20/10/00) concerning the wording of a letter to schools re the GTC in which David Peachey referred to it as "the professional body for teachers" and talking of it "representing" teachers. Some members contacted the Secretary to say that this looked like competing with the Union. Also many not willing to pay the £20 fee to regestering. Secretary has asked the LEA to consider paying it for all those who are existing teachers. No response.
  57. JNC Report: No meeting of JNC since October. Progress report on JNC matters:
    a) Restraint: Secretary complained to DJET (20/10/00) re lack of consultation and consequential flaws in the LEA's draft policy, and asked for further talks. The NUT has since published its "Unacceptable Pupil Behaviour" advice which is much more practical. Secretary wrote again with copies of the NUT policy, asking LEA to adopt our guidlelines as also County Policy. No response.
    b) Advisory (Head)teachers and Pay decisions: Secretary met with the NUT Advisory/Central staff convenor, Derek Merrill, on 20th October and arranged action as above.
    c) Model Attendance Policy: Secretary complained to LEA re. lack of consultation and therefore several impractical and bureaucratic items in the guidance accepted by the Executive Committee. No response.
    New Burgundy Book: Secretary has written to DJET (8/11/00) to ask LEA to secure a copy for all schools: they are not being distributed but have to be purchased! Secretary has also pointed out to DJET that the LEA's standard contract letter needs to be amended. No response.
    Oakwood: The Scrutiny Committee reported and largely backed up what the NUT had been saying all along about the mishandling. This is unlikely to make any difference in County Hall! There are still pupils from Oakwood who are not getting full-time education, one year on. We still have 2 NUT members employed at the former Oakwood premises and wishing to apply for the new jobs in the KS2/3 Unit, but as this is not due to open until Sept 2001 (another mess up!) we are negotiating a bridging contract to enable them to keep working with this category of EBD pupils, in the area.
    Harassment handling: the Division's report on the first three cases against headteachers has been circulated to the relevant County and Area Officers. There was an officers' meeting on 22nd Nov to discuss it. No response or acknowledgement received, incidentally.
    Assaults and Injury: The NUT/UNISON document is nearly ready for printing. Ray Frowd has set it in A5 and produced a first draft. It has been agreed to publish 800 copies, two for each school (Head and NUT Reo) and a reserve for individual casework. UNISON has not replied to our request to go ahead with their blessing, as they are mentioned in the credits and title.
    ) County School Improvement Group: The NUT is nominating John Scanlon of Hadleigh High School to fill the vacancy.
  58. **** Letter from ATL (!) re. the future of a Tuition Group run by an ATL member at the Robert Milne Centre for young mothers and their babies. Has Andrew Guite been approached?
  59. **** South Suffolk SCITT: The JNC organisations met the students during a Friday lunchtime, November 10th. It would appear that a large majority have signed up with the NUT and Kathy More and the Secretary were kept busy on our "stall". The Secretary has however written to Arthur Jarman to point out that the students reported that they had not had an acknowledgement from their applications in September. These students were amongst the first to sign up, thanks to Tony Dooley taking in materials for their first session at the SSPDC in September. Christine Lloyd is setting up a further session involving the Regional Office. We need to contact Horringer Court Middle School students as well (a training school). Secretary is in touch with Babs Shook on this at Regional office.
  60. **** Christine Lloyd and John Burns have set up another SCITT recruitment session at 4.00 on Tuesday 5th December. This was already in train before the JNC initiation. EC needs to consider the nature of this session, given that we were brought into the November 10th meeting through the JNC approach, initiated by the NASUWT. It might be possible to make it more of a training session on conditions of service items.
  61. **** From OXFAM, requesting a follow-up to our motion circulation of OXFAM "give it up" materials were distributed by post and county mail, for November 10th. (at no cost to the Division). OXFAM now wish us to include their Education Now campaign in our newsletters and to disseminate campaign cards. Also received: Education Now magazine on "IMF: wrong diagnosis, wrong medicine" and Easter Region Campaigns Letter. EC asked to recommend action.
  62. **** Division Communications Equipment: Secretary has purchased a Philips HFC171 Telephone/FAX/Answering machine for Division use for £119.95. It is not quite so good a FAX facility as the ACER but most outgoing FAXes are computer generated anyway. It might be some time before the FAX merge service can be replicated. The answerphone and ACER fax machine are now with Penny Cook. Secretary will lend out his "FAX friend" as well which helps if the Assistant Secretary is to use both answering machine and FAX on the same phone socket.
  63. **** Suffolk Division NUT Banner: Secretary has been in contact with Philippe Harari of Cambridgeshire Division who made the Cambs. banner. If we want him to do the whole job this could cost £500-600, although we could reduce the cost considerably by doing some of it ourselves. Secretary suggests that we have a working party to design a banner, and to distribute jobs to get it done as cheeply as possible, with Philippe putting it all together for us. If agreed, the project should be ready for approval at the February 15th meeting of Division.
  64. Media contact: Secretary responded to enquiries from Suffolk Radio and EADT on Class Size figures (mentioned the pay-back in KS2 and time scale: long term investment needed), and the demise of Chris Woodhead (long interview). Also a comment re. league tables was taken up by the EADT Editorial, re. de-motivating teachers in the more difficult schools.
  65. **** Community Education: there is still a reluctance of the LEA to recognise CYWU. Was a meeting of all the CE Unions with Duncan Macpherson to pursue the agenda and warn against making silly mistakes (unlikely to succeed). Papers going through Council unamended. AA has written to Secretary saying that the LEA does not want to create a new Joint Consultative Committee for Community Education and they only want to deal with NATFHE. Secretary is seeking advice from John Dixon.
  66. Toys for Asylum Seekers: The EC will arrange for any toys brought to the meeting to be taken to the collection centre in Ipswich. Secretary has received some before the meeting.
  67. Suffolk County Council Papers:, including:
    - Minutes of Executive Committee 10/10/00 and 2/11/00.
    L00/58 adn E00/147 Consultation on Community Education and Recommendations on future development.
    L00/60 Early Education and Childcare
    L00/59 and E00/146 Development plan for Provision for Pupils with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
    E00/129 Term Dates 2001-2002 confirmation:
    Mon 3/9/01 to Thu 20/12/01 (HT 22-26 Oct)
    Mon 7/1/02 to Fri 22/03/02 (HT 11-16 Feb)
    Mon 8/4/02 to Tue 23/7/02 HT (3-7 June) (May Day BH 6/5/00)
    E00/135 Budget monitoring to Sept 2000
    E00/136 St Mary's PRU, lease for new premises
    E00/144 Connexions Service: Progress Report
    E00/148 Development of Secondary School Learning Support Units
    E00/149 Local Government Finance Green Paper
    L00/64 Strategic and Budget Planning, Education
    L00/65 Provisional Education Capital Programme
    L00/66 Audit approach to SEN
    L00/67 Suffolk Learning and Resource Centres
    L00/68 Baseline Assessment: report on results and related future developments.
    From Teacher Representatives:
  68. **** Secretary understands that Judith Palmer is not able to attend all Scrutiny Commission meetings, because of lack of facility time.
  69. Andrew Guite reports:
    Executive Committee (21/11/00)
    E00/146 Development Plan for provision for Pupils with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties A very important paper, which had previously been to the Theme Panel, where there had been no teacher representatives due to half term commitments. There was overall support for the action recommended, but with several important issues highlighted that are not properly addressed in this paper.
    • Several councillors agreed with my assessment that the development was being planned piecemeal because of cost, rather than looking at where the most need is.
    • There is only a three year plan with the proviso that the money has to be approved in the forthcoming Service Development Bid. Instead, there is to be a “pragmatic” approach. No one was prepared to outline how long it would be before all the provision planned was up and running.
    • The authority was reminded that the new teachers should be paid at the ‘going rate’, as many authorities both nationally and regionally are recognising E.B.D. as a specialist part of special needs
    • Another point raised concerned the role of the management committees and who was involved in discussing conditions of service. No commitment was given on these points.
    • New teachers appointed to the KS4 PRU`s will not be expected to be solely responsible for providing the increase in hours suggested on P.13-6.1,9 (from 121/2 to 25) but will ask other providers to help, like colleges.
    • There are several ‘coulds’ and ‘shoulds’ in the paper, but there does seem to be some real commitment on the Oakwood Site. It is proposed to base a new KS2/3 PRU on the site, to have the Centre of Excellence headquarters there, and provide small scale residential provision. The site is also being used by Stowmarket High School.
    • Finally, a point accepted by Mr.Lewis(portfolio) was over the training and involvement of social workers with schools, PRU`s and other educationalists
    • The Health Authority is to appoint someone with a specific remit to liase with education, through school pyramids and a Mr. Goodwin (officer from W Area) was looking at provision for after school hours.
    EOO/147 Recommendations for Future Developments in Community Education This will enable inconsistencies in provision and quality to be addressed, we were assured. The diocesan representative was told that voluntary organisations and volunteers would have a key contact at local level under the restructuring plan. Mrs. Craven (portfolio) acknowledged that there was a dilemma between one key objective of working with disaffected young people and giving other young people equal opportunities (transition to adulthood). She accepted that staff may have worries about the future (3.5 states, “Unless the service prepares itself to meet these challenges, the long-term outcome may mean staff losses and eventual reduction in provision”), but it was envisaged that existing staff would be given different jobs instead of being made redundant. The officer said that there was the potential to be spread too thinly, that there was not the capacity to deliver across the board and that the service would have to focus on the priorities. The action recommended was passed unopposed.
    EOO/148 The development of Secondary School Learning Support Units Funding like this was applauded but not in the time scale given to schools to apply for this money to enable schools to meet the needs of pupils who are disaffected or disengaged from learning. The grant has two elements- one for capital expenditure and the other for revenue costs. The proposed schools are: Castle Manor Upper, Sudbury Upper, Deben High, Westbourne High, Leiston Middle and Roman Hill. There are four performance indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of these new units. Two schools that have a recognised high level of need were not selected this year, but it was expected that more detailed plans should put them high on the list next year. School reserves were not used in the criteria for selection. We were informed that the time scale did inhibit bids, so there could be many more next year! Heads were informing staff of the temporary nature of these units i.e. two years funding. Rather confusing was that some of the revenue bids were for computers etc. not for staff or teaching assistants costs. Annex 2 gave reasons for unsuccessful bids apart from the following two: Breckland Middle School had not had time to prepare an itemised bid and Stowupland High School had proposed accommodation outside the school site and currently doesn`t suffer high rates of exclusion, two of the DfEE`s criteria. The proposed developments were agreed.
  70. Grapevine: Rumour has it that Alison Fraser is on holiday in Australia and is due to take up her new post in East Cleveland EAZ in January.
  71. Section D: Local Associations
  72. From Bury St Edmunds Association: The Association is setting up its own website but only for the purpose of seeking contributions to debates via the internet: as members are not coming to meetings and even Committee Meetings are difficult to attend, the Association is to experiment with "virtual association meetings". Comments can be submitted and the rest of the committee can see all info and opinions and add their views. A voting form can be added if required. A "DEBATES" page on the Division website is hosting a trial.
  73. From Bury St Edmunds Association: draft press release reporting on the findings of a survey on Teacher Stress.
  74. From Roger Mackay, Ipswich Association, urging more action on Stress via Division and LEA.
  75. From Gill Thornton, President of Ipswich Association, from a quorate General meeting of the Assocation, top the Division Secretary saying: "We are concerned about the various statements you have made to fellow officers of Ipswich NUT and their negative effects. We would like to invite you to reflect on the current situation with a view to change that can be conducive to better relations between the Division and our Association. We seek no reply but our wish is that future business in and outside the Suffolk Division Council by all of us who are volunteers in the Union structure can be conducted in a fair manner." Secretary has replied refuting the suggestion that he had been guilty of harming relationships or making "negative" statements but suggesting that Ipswich delegates should heed the President's request for all Division business to be conducted in a professional and courteous way. The Secretary felt that this had not always been the case when some Ipswich delegates were speaking about other members of the Union or its employees. Full text of all correspondence on this issue is available, at the meeting.

Part 2: Decision Making

A) Arising from National Matters

  1. Motion from the Secretary:
    "This Division Council views with grave concern the deliberate tactics of the Government in delaying making the Threshold Payments to teachers who have applied, and whose applications have been accepted by Headteachers. As this will be the vast majority (if not all!) of applicants, there is no need to delay any further the payment of the threshold payment.
    However, if, as is now reported, the threshold payment will not be made until May 2001, then the Union should call upon the Government and STRB to pay all teachers a £2000 bonus in recognition of the profession's success in raising standards in accordance with Government policy, in lieu of the threshold payment and as a mark of goodwill to recompense teachers for the work and anxiety in either applying, or deciding not to apply. This could be regularised by incorporating such payments in the 2001-2002 pay award."
    Arising from Regional Local Matters
  2. Motion from the Secretary:
    Motion from the Secretary: This Division Council regrets the premature closure of Oakwood School and notes that the County is currently seriously underprovided with places for the most difficult pupils with EDB. We also note that some of Oakwood's erstwhile pupils are still without full-time provision matching their statemented needs, a year on.
    The Division welcomes, however:
    • the decision to enlarge the 3 KS4 PRUs
    • the decision to open more "First-Base" PRUs
    • the decision to create at least one PRU for KS2-3 ncrease EBD provision at both KS4 and earlier stages, with a development of the "First Base"-type PRU and the introduction of the first Units for KS2-3.

    The Union believes, however, that all specialist teachers of EBD employed in PRUs, the "Centre of Excellence" or Units attached to mainstream schools, should be recognised as teachers of Special Educational Needs and paid at least the first SEN point. We believe that if the County is to attract sufficiently experienced and qualified staff to deal effectively with the most difficult and emotionally delicate pupils, then Suffolk must pay at least the same as other Authorities, and recruit from amongst those who have a proven record of success with such pupils. That effectiveness should be recognised and there should be no disctinction between such work undertaken in a Special School, Hostel, Unit or mainstream situation."

  3. Motion from Secretary: "This Division Council instructs the Secretary to seek to negotiate salary levels, either on the Advance Skills Teacher Scale or Leadership Spine, for all centrally employed staff currently on teachers' pay and conditions, which allows them to match the kind of pay increases with effect from September 2000 which threshold holders will eventually receive. The Division rejects the current proposal by the LEA for Advisory Teachers as failing to meet this criterion."
  4. Motion from the Treasurer: "This Division Council calls upon the Union to secure the right for teachers to request to be excused from Jury service, in common with members of the medical professions."

Date of next meeting: January 25th 2000, Northgate High School, Ipswich.

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