NUT News 24:

Just say no!

The transfer of administrative and clerical tasks

The government now supports the NUT: the new provisions for the transfer of administrative and clerical tasks came into effect on 1 September.

The key questions approach

NUT members are advised to apply the questions contained in the Government's guidance in respect of administrative and clerical tasks:

• does the task need to be done at all?
• is the task of an administrative or clerical nature?
• does it call for the exercise of a teacher's professional skills and judgement?

The Government's guidance says: "If the answers to (a) and (b) are yes and the answer to (c) is no, then the task should be transferred from teachers." NUT members are advised to follow that guidance, described here as, `THE KEY QUESTIONS APPROACH`.

Professional judgement

NUT members should exercise their professional judgement when applying the KEY QUESTIONS APPROACH. For example, if they believe that the maintenance of displays of pupils` work is a task involving their professional skills and judgement, then it is for them to decide whether that is an administrative or clerical task that should be transferred.

No delays

The NUT will not condone any delays. Proposals to postpone the transfer of any or all of the tasks should be reported to the NUT Regional Office or NUT Cymru if in Wales. NUT school representatives have an important role in seeking advice.

National curriculum tests survey

We need YOUR views. NUT members have been sent a survey on their views and the proposals for a boycott. We need you to:

• read the document, `the case against national curriculum tests`
• complete the survey
• return the survey

General Secretary, Doug McAvoy, said: "Apply the KEY QUESTIONS APPROACH. Complete and return the survey on National Curriculum Tests."