(To be edited shortly: Copied from e-mail)
In the balance
The careers of thousands of teachers in England are now being decided. A crucial period has been reached for those who applied in 2000, to cross the Government`s threshold. Between now and 31 March 2001, headteachers and assessors will be reviewing the applications and notifying teachers of their outcomes. In schools throughout England, teachers are being asked for additional evidence or to agree to classroom observation in support of their applications.
NUT advice
Members should seek advice from their NUT regional offices where they experience pressure or unreasonable demands from the process. Examples of such pressure on members include:
* requests for additional evidence which they believe to be unreasonable;
* requests from assessors for classroom observation which they believe to be unreasonable;
* evidence that has become available since the last date for submission of applications and which is being misinterpreted or misapplied;
suggestions that applications be withdrawn; and
* other aspects of the assessment and verification process which members believe to be discriminatory, unreasonable, improper or unfair.
NUT members in these circumstances should indicate that they are seeking their Union`s advice before making any other decisions.(Newmarket Office: 01638 334538)
Pressure from the result
Advice from NUT regional offices should be sought where members are notified that their applications to cross the Government`s threshold have been rejected.
NUT members who are unsuccessful should ask their headteachers for copies of two DfEE documents:
* `Threshold Assessment Guidance for Teachers Who Have Not Yet Met All the Threshold Standards`
* `Threshold Assessment : Application for Review of Decisions`.
New NUT "Threshold Watch Outcomes" forms are available from NUT school representatives. The forms can be photocopied if necessary. Members can use these forms to seek advice from the regional offices covering their areas. Members are entitled to make enquiries directly to regional offices where they so choose, using the addresses and telephone numbers given with this edition of NUT NEWS. Act with speed. Applications for a `Review of Decision`, the appeal process, must be made within 40 days of receipt of written information of outcome or by 31 March 2001, whichever is the latest.
The appeal process an NUT gain
The Appeals Process, called `Review of Decision` by the Government, was made possible only by the NUT`s successful challenge of the Government in the High Court in July of 2000. It was gained only by the NUT`s demand to the Review Body, recalled following the High Court judgment. Further pressure from the Union secured for teachers the fundamental right of access to an industrial tribunal where there are allegations of unlawful discrimination.
Detailed information
Detailed information about the appeals process has been sent to NUT school representatives, together with NUT `Threshold Watch Outcome` forms. This is available for you to read but you should be advised by the NUT regional office should you be dissatisfied with the process or wish to challenge the outcome.
General Secretary, Doug McAvoy, said: "NUT legal action and representations have achieved significant reforms to the Government`s threshold process. Yet the system continues to burden schools with added bureaucracy, workload and stress. Anxiety is heightened by demands for additional evidence or classroom observation.
Disappointment for those who fail will be made more traumatic by the numbers who will succeed. "The National Union of Teachers will render every assistance to those who are subject to unreasonable demands and to those whose value as teachers is not properly recognised through an iniquitous and flawed threshold process."