Published by the Suffolk Division
of the National Union of TeachersThe following is a list of
actions already declared to be unprofessional but this is not exclusive. All
actions which are alleged to be injurious to the interests of the profession or
the professional honour of any member can be referred to the appropriate
committee for adjudication:
a) for any teacher to take an appointment from which, in the judgement of
the NUT Executive a member of the Union has been unjustly dismissed;
b) for any teacher to make a report on the work or conduct of another teacher
without at the time acquainting the teacher concerned with the nature of it, if
it be a verbal report, or without showing it, if it be written and allowing the
teacher concerned to take a copy of it. [See footnotes (i) to (iv) below]
c) in any case of dispute between members of the NUT settled by arbitration
under Rule 52 for any member not to abide by the decision;
d) for any teacher to censure other teachers or to criticise their work in the
hearing of the pupils or other persons not directly involved in the running of
the school;
e) for any teacher to seek to compel another teacher to perform outside the
ordinary school hours any task which is not essentially connected with the
ordinary work and organisation of the school;
f) for any teacher to impose upon another teacher, out of the ordinary school
hours, an excessive and unreasonable amount of work of any kind.
g) for any teacher to discriminate, to harass or be guilty of discriminatory or
offensive remarks by reference to the race, nationality, colour, ethnic origin,
disability, gender or sexual orientation of others including, in particular,
colleagues and pupils.
Footnotes: (i) Whilst primarily the
word "teacher" in Article (b) of the Professional Conduct Code has
been regarded as being applicable to serving teachers and those actively and
professionally engaged in education, the committee reserves the right to
examine references to it under the Professional Conduct Code concerning any
member of the Union other than those professionally engaged in the service of
education
(ii) When a report is made by a teacher on the work or conduct of another
teacher, it should be shown to the teacher concerned before it is submitted,
and the teacher allowed to take a copy of it.
(iii) Where a teacher gives the name of another teacher or member as a referee,
he/she takes, in accordance with normal practice, a risk as to the nature and
contents of the reference which the referee may give. Accordingly, any
reference so given is not regard by the Executive as a report within the
meaning of the above article.
(iv) Article (b) of the Code applies to all references other than those requested
by the member of his/her own free choice, i.e. if an appointing authority or
other body requires a reference from the applicant's present head, the head
should show a copy of the reference to the applicant before it is submitted;
(v) Subject so far as the final decision is concerned to Appendix 6 of the
Union Rules, cases arising under Article (g) of the Code will be dealt with in
complete confidentiality provided that: (a) this is the wish of the
complainant;
(b) that the complainant himself or herself maintains confidentiality.
NB: Members are reminded that all teaching staff in Suffolk are entitled
to see their personal files, including the right to see any reference written on them.
1) All teachers should
observe confidentiality in respect of any discussion with other individual
teachers about their professional problems and difficulties;
2) If a teacher experiences any concern or dissatisfaction in relation to a
colleague's conduct or standard of work the teacher should discuss the issue
informally and in confidence with the colleague concerned. Where the issue is
not resolved informally the teacher should take no further action without
informing the colleague. Should the teacher have reason to believe that a
colleague is acting in a way which might be harmful to the school or to
individual pupils then there is a clear duty to make a report to the
headteacher;
3) Teachers should not denigrate their colleagues in the present of third
parties, nor should a teacher adversely criticise a colleague in the presence
of others save in the context of appropriate procedures;
4) Effective consultation between teachers takes place in an atmosphere of
mutual respect for the professional expertise and a recognition and
understanding of those involved. Teachers should be able to express freely
their considered professional opinions while recognising the responsibilities
borne by colleagues;
6) Teachers with responsibility for the organisation of the work of other
colleagues should ensure that all members of the staff have knowledge and a
clear understanding of the duties and responsibilities to which they are
allocated and of the procedures and practices relevant to the day-to-day
operation of the school;
7) Parents making complaints or allegations concerning teachers should be
referred to the head teacher. The head teacher should take no action concerning
the complaint or allegation until there has been consultation with the teacher
concerned.
8) All members of staff should be able to make full use of staff
facilities, including staff rooms and study rooms. It is reasonable, however,
for the headteacher to respect the right of the staff to hold discussions in
his or her absence if they so wish;
9) Teachers have access to confidential information which may be provided by
any one of, or a combination of, a number of sources. Reports on children are
received from parents, social workers, educational welfare officers, police,
local authority officers, teachers, doctors and medical officers of health, and
others. Teachers must use their professional judgement regarding the
confidentiality of such information, bearing in mind the requirements of the
law and the best interests of the children. The head teacher or a senior
official of the LEA should be consulted before decisions are taken concerning
the divulgence of confidential information;
10) While it is recognised that pupils will from time to time discuss their
work and progress with teachers, particularly those teachers who undertake
pastoral care, teachers should ensure that they maintain the delicate balance
between taking a close interest in the welfare of pupils and the avoidance of
entering into discussion about the conduct, competence or efficiency of other
teachers.
11) Canvassing for the purposes of achieving an appointment, whether done
directly or through an agent, is unethical;
12) The growth of a friendly relationship between teacher and pupil which is
based on mutual respect and recognition of the role that each plays in the
learning situation is desirable. It is, however, an abuse of this professional
relationship for a teacher to:
13) No teacher should delegate to an unqualified person duties or functions requiring the knowledge and skill of a qualified teacher. This statement is not intended to restrict in any way:
14) A teacher should not deliberately
behave in such a way as to bring his or her school into disrepute.
15) A teacher should not behave in a racially discriminatory manner or make
racist remarks directed towards or about ethnic minority groups or members
thereof.
Published by the Suffolk Division
of the National Union of Teachers