Suffolk Division NUT
Executive Committee (17:30 - 18:45)
July 6th 2000 LEISTON Middle School
Section A: National Matters and HQ Correspondence
| Date | Description | Venue |
| 30 June - 2 July 2000 | National Education Conference | Stoke Rochford Hall |
| 17-18 July | Reform of Local Councils | Stoke Rochford Hall |
| 4 November 2000 | Equal Opportunities Conference | |
| 2 December 2000 | "Pride in Education" Conference | |
| 11-13 Oct 2000 | Division Secretaries' briefing | Stoke Rochford |
| 6-8 Dec 2000 | Using the Media: Training for Local Officers |
| Autumn Term 2001 from | to | Total |
| Monday 3 Sept 2001 | Thursday 20 Dec 2001 | |
| Half Term | 22 - 26 Oct 2001 | 74 days |
| Spring Term 2002 from | to | Total |
| Monday 7 Jan 2002 | Friday 22 March 2002 | |
| Half Term | 11 - 15 Feb 2002 | 50 days |
| Summer Term 2002 from | to | Total |
| Monday 8 April 2002 | Tuesday 23 July 2002 | |
| Half Term | 27 - 31 May 2002 | |
| Bank Holiday | 6 May 2002 | 71 days |
| EOO/93 | 20 June | 1: Free early education places should be offered to eligible 3-yr olds for 2 terms from Sept 2000 (eligibility defined in para. 2) |
| 2: free early education places should be offered for two terms to all 3 yr olds living in the Sure Start area of SE Ipswich from Sept 2000 | ||
| E00/89 | 20 June | Minor Works |
There will be a short break between the sessions, but timings could be altered to suit the timing of business, as determined by the Executive Committee, subject to the agreement of the Division Council.
Part 2B: Discussion and Decision making (20:00 - 21:00)
NEXT MEETING: September 21st 2000, BURY ST EDMUNDS
Appendix A: Formal Objection to the Closure of Oakwood School (June 26th 2000).
The NUT in Suffolk hereby registers its formal objection to the proposal to close Oakwood School by Dec. 31st 2000 on the grounds that:
- Adequate alternative provision has still not been found for all the pupils enrolled there at the time of emergency closure (November 1999);
- Alternative provision for those who would have been referred to Oakwood since April 1999, if it had not been propose to close, has not been adequate or readily available;
- The enforced removal of Oakwood places for EBD boys has already had a detrimental effect on receiving mainstream schools: these schools should be concentrating on dealing with new EBD referrals under the new Social Inclusion policies, without having this extra, unplanned burden;
- There are no clear plans for the replacement of the KS4 provision to be lost at Oakwood by opening the extra KS4 EBD places in the locations suggested by the first Oakwood consultation document (April 1999). The inability to find adequate alternatives for those displaced, which is at least as good as the provision originally available at Oakwood, indicates the need to retain places and expertise, rather than destroy them;
- Current indications are that the new Oakwood will not open for pupils until September 2001, thereby depriving the County also of KS2 and KS3 places for a further two terms, leaving the Authority open to litigation for failing to make statutory provision.
- The decision to divorce the residential accommodation from educational provision at the new Oakwood will remove places for residential education (for those with such statements), again with possible legal consequences for the Authority;
- The LEA has not taken advantage of the temporary closure to trial the kind of KS2 and KS3 provision with the existing staff and in the existing buildings which it is intended to introduce in the new Oakwood.
- The premises, staff and actual needs show that a KS4 EBD PRU could be set up almost immediately in the Oakwood premises: this has never been considered in any of the proposals;
- Although talks took place last month with the LEA on the future of individual staff, there has been no formal agreement on employment stability and, at the time of writing and to our knowledge, no written assurances or guarantees have been made to the teaching staff concerned, thereby risking further loss of experience and expertise from the County.
- The Scrutiny Committee is currently investigating the Oakwood question and its handling by the Council, but its report will not be available until after the date for the lodging of formal objections: another indication of the lack of due process and of poor forward planning which has accompanied this proposal since April 1999.
- The entire proposal should never have been entertained in advance of consultation on, and implementation of, the County EBD Review or before alternative provision for the pupils with EBD SEN has actually been set up. As consultation on the EBD Review is not due to end until mid-July, the closure proposal for Oakwood remains, as it always has been, ill-advised.
- The Union has made clear that it would have accepted even an earlier technical closure to enable a change of use, if there had been an employment stability policy for the staff, and if plans for staffing and setting up for these new purposes had been made together, as part of a sensibly planned and agreed process in line with the County's strategy for the future of EBD. However, the LEA has only ever been intent on removing this particular EBD provision, rather than seeking to build on, and adapt, what we have. The closure of Oakwood in December 2000 therefore remains premature and unwise.
Division Council Meeting July 6th 2000.
Apologies: Sharon Cozens, Peter Byatt (could be late, casework)
New Correspondence and information items:
a) National
| Secretary has been asked to help members at Priory School where the Head arranged "quickie" observations as threshold tests in the last three weeks of term. The school said that CEA had sanctioned this, as long as it was voluntary. This would leave individuals in a difficult position if they did not volunteer. Secretary has now forwarded to the school this written statement from CEA's Kate Hackwell (Director, Schools Performance Division): |
| .... Please accept this e-mail as written confirmation that CEA are supporting the advice given by teaching unions, that headteachers should not expect to set up "last minute" observation schedules as a result of the threshold application process. All our staff are aware of this position, and it is very unlikely that anyone would have given advice contrary to this. I hope this helps you resolve the issue. |
| Primary -199 | £3000 |
| Primary 101-200 | £6000 |
| Primary 200 + | £9000 |
| Special | £15000 |
| Secondary - 600 | £30000 |
| Secondary 601-1200 | £40000 |
| Secondary 1201 + | £50000 |
| PRUs | £3000 |
| Budget Situation for Division and Associations There were two items of discussion concerning mileage rate paid by the Division and Division contribution/payment for conferences etc. It was agreed that travel costs be put on the September agenda and that both Division and Associations write to Hamilton House putting the case for increasing the mileage rate at which they reimburse Divisions and Associations due to the present situation of increasing petrol costs. |
| As regards Division’s contribution to conference costs etc it was agreed to maintain the current situation whereby each event is considered on its merits. |
| It was agreed that the Division subscription had to be raised and it was proposed by the Treasurer and seconded by Mr Dooley to recommend that the subscription be raised by 60p per full member and 30p per part-time member. This was agreed nem con. |
| Common Local Association Fee, 2001 Common Local Association Fee, 2001 It was proposed by Mr Mackay and seconded by Mr Dooley to recommend that the common Local Association Fee for 2001 be raised by 50p to £11.00. This was agreed nem con. |
| The Treasurer distributed details of membership in 1998 and at December 1999. Mr Burns gave updated figures as at March 2000. Membership was continuing to rise (c15% in the Division over the last five years) and the Division was congratulated on its success. Nationally the Union’s figures have passed 200.000 for the first time. |
d) Local Associations: (no further items)
e) Others:
(Standing Committee for the Education and Training of Teachers) SCETT News Issue 2 Summer 2000: CPD at the Crossroads, Mature Students in Training, Undergraduate ITT Recrtuiment, Performance Related Pay, Teaching Qualifications in FE.
From Countdown: Arcade Magazine, Summer 2000
Motions for Part 2 of the Meeting
Executive Report No 72 June 2000-07-01
Performance RelatedPay - on-going campaign
The Executive agreed to place strong emphasis on the Union's continuing campaign against performance related pay, payment by results. A range of materials are to be produced to take the campaign to a wider public audience. These include:
Consideration will be given to options for the continuing campaign against performance related pay, payment by results in the context of the statutory introduction of performance management and the cessation of the current appraisal processes.
The Executive received advice, including that of the Senior Solicitor, that a ballot authorising industrial action in a given set of circumstances cannot by law be taken as authorising continuing action where the nature of the dispute has changed. The ending of the existing appraisal arrangements and the introduction of new and, in part, different arrangements for performance management leads to the ending of the boycott of appraisal.
The Executive will consider the various aspects of performance management which may be open to a ballot on a boycott of members. Consideration by also will be given to the decision of Conference for a special action conference in the Autumn term and for national organised demonstrations.
Performance Management
The General Secretary reminded the Executive of the timetable for the introduction of the performance management regulations into schools and their implementation. These would supersede the existing appraisal regulations which would no longer be in effect after August. The new regulations would be introduced in September, with schools having until 31 December to agree relevant policies and until 28 February 2001 to set objectives for teachers. Some headteachers were already working towards the development of their school policies and it was important for the Union locally to be involved in the relevant consultation regardless of any subsequent attitude taken by the Union on any involvement in or boycott or performance management.
The General Secretary outlined the different consequences for members arising from the present boycott of appraisal and any future boycott of performance management. Performance management opened the door to annual progression, to the upper pay spine and in time to progression beyond the threshold. Appraisal had no consequence for pay. The differences were significant in their consequences for members and had to be addressed seriously by the Union. Headteacher and deputy headteacher members will receive specific advice, including that on the role of the "adviser" to the Governing Body in relation to performance management.
Advice is to be sent to members likely to be appointed to the leadership grade.
Advice is being prepared for Governing Bodies on their duties to establish performance management policies.
The Executive is to address early in September the various aspects of performance management, which may be open to and subject to a ballot on a boycott of members.
Joint Campaigning with the NASUWT
The General Secretary reported on the successful negotiations with the NASUWT to take forward a common campaign on reducing bureaucratic burdens. A joint press conference was held and parallel material was simultaneously to schools. The Executive applauded this move towards co-operation and collaboration, which would be to the benefit of members of both organisations in schools. The General Secretary outlined the opportunities to take forward such co-operation further and extend it in relation to Union policy on a national contract and the salary policy 2001, as agreed by Conference.
McCrone Report (Scotland)
The General Secretary reported that a detailed examination would be made of the report to identify any aspects that might assist the Union in its campaigns. A preliminary examination showed that it was a mixed report in what it says about working time. One positive aspect concerned the move to have primary teachers benefiting from the same non teaching time as their secondary colleagues.
Learning and Skills Bill
The General Secretary reported that the Bill had finished its passage through Parliament and was awaiting Royal Assent. The Govemment had been successful in inserting a new clause concerning sex education guidance.
Section 28
The General Secretary reported on the vote in the Scottish Parliament to repeal Section 28. This would give a boost to the Union's own campaign in England and Wales.
Special Education Bill
The General Secretary reported that the Govemment had decided not to proceed with a special education bill in this Parliament. It was clear that William Hague had touched a sensitive nerve on the issue of pupil exclusions.
TUC General Council
The General Secretary reported that the increase in the Union's membership to over 200,000 for TUC purposes entitles Union two automatic seats under section A of the General Council, which includes the big brigade such as the T&G.
The Executive re-elected the General Secretary and Pat Hawkes to represent the Union on the General Council for the next term.
Equal Pay Task Force Consultation
The Executive agreed the Union's detailed response to the Task Force consultation on equal pay. The response highlights the continuing gap in the hourly pay of male and female teachers despite 30 years of equal pay legislation. The Union calls for substantial attention to be given to the question of access to justice and the collective nature of many pay inequalities in considerations given to the question of closing the pay gap.
DfEE consultation on Positive Handling Strategies for
Pupils with Severe Behavioural Difficulties
The Executive has generally welcomed the production of the draft guidance. In its response, the Union draws attention to the entitlement of teachers and staff to assistance and procedures within schools that support them professionally.
The response identifies the importance of effective management which is at the centre of each school's approach to pupil behaviour and physical intervention. Effective and consistent consultation with staff is identified as a central characteristic of sound management. Targeting and gathering information about such pupils is vital and time and resources must be found for this work. The response calls for each school to have an identifiable contact at LEA level for immediate advice with regard to incidences of physical intervention or violence towards staff.