From Suffolk NUT March 2001
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In this Briefing:
1 Unfilled Vacancies
2 Threshold
3 Not Yet Met
4 Post-Threshold Con
5 Pupil Behaviour
6 Injuries and Assault

Unfilled vacancies

The NUT and NASUWT have agreed a common approach to safeguarding members from extra work covering for unfilled vacancies.
Members in several schools in Suffolk had reported being asked to cover beyond the third day of absence, collapsing classes, re-vamping the time-table, etc. HoDs and Co-ordinators are having to set lessons for non-specialist supply, on a semi-permanent basis. In Primaries, this may apply to covering for the many staff out on InSeT courses.
If members request support from the Union, we will first seek an undertaking from the Head that members will not be asked to cover in any of these ways. If that undertaking is not forthcoming, we can ballot your school to protect members who refuse to undertake extra work, beyond contract.
You do not have to take it all. If you are doing more than your own job, contact the Union.

Threshold latest

Assessors began work straight after Christmas to verify Head’s
decisions on the Threshold. The Union has monitored this work carefully: there is very little standardisation and a very wide variation in practice. The Union at local and national level has complained to CEA about poor assessment techniques.

Evidence Gathering

Suffolk NUT sent Reps a memo in January pointing out that CEA and HQ agree that it should not normally be necessary to ask the sample for further evidence. Doug McAvoy wrote to Suffolk NUT as follows: "It has been confirmed by Mike Chapman of CEA that the role of the assessor is to verify the judgement of the headteacher. In carrying out their role it may be necessary to seek additional specific and focused evidence in respect of two to three applications contained within the sample. These requests would be made where the assessor has fundamental doubts about the headteacher's methodology. Any such requests must be made in writing and the CEA advise that this letter should be circulated .... Where requests are made for additional evidence then this must be limited to three to four focused pieces of evidence. Any requests for additional evidence must not be unreasonable and they cannot ask for portfolios. For example, it is considered unreasonable to ask for exercise books or to make a blanket request for everyone.
" Mistakes by assessors are continuing and so if you get
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Briefing
March
2001
asked to provide extra evidence or for any extra work in connection with verification by the assessor, contact the Union.

"Not Yet Met"

If you pass the threshold, the LEA is geared up to pay the new rate immediately, with arrears.
But not everyone will pass. Members who "have not yet met" the criteria are advised to get in touch with the Union. The Suffolk NUT website has step-by-step advice on what to do. You must act quickly, as only 40 working days are allowed to lodge a review, after return of your application form and written feedback.
The first few "NYMs" notified to the Union have been clear cases for review. As we predicted, Heads will not always be fair.
The Union will help you prepare for the review. Grounds for appeal are that you would have passed if the Head or assessor had:
  • taken proper account of the relevant evidence

  • not taken account of irrelevant or inaccurate evidence

  • not been biased or had not discriminated against you.

Next Threshold Deadline

The Government has decided that the next deadline for the receipt of threshold applications will be October 29th 2001.
There are no details as yet as to whether the process will be the same as this time around. There are many problems in the present process, which may be amended.

Post-Threshold Con

Blunkett is still claiming that class teachers will soon be earning £30,000+ if they cross the threshold. This is looking increasingly unlikely.
Firstly, progression up the spine can only be considered once every two years, and even then it will be entirely discretionary. Governors will decide not just on the basis of your performance management targets. The STRB report says that any such progression should "recognise substantial and sustained performance and contribution to the school as a teacher. This should take account not only of any particular performance object-ives but also the totality of the teacher's work looking at all of the elements covered by the threshold standards."
Furthermore, there is no promise to help schools meet the cost of higher points on the post-threshold scale. The STRB is therefore doubting whether points on this scale can be kept if you change schools!
All the snags the NUT have been pointing out since the Green Paper are still there! The process is proving a bureaucratic nightmare, divisive and fundamentally unfair.
________________________

Pupil Behaviour / Exclusions

The Government has in fact relaxed the regulations on exclusions and has bowed to calls to take effective action against violent and disruptive pupils. Unfortunately, the culture within the LEA, communicated to Heads, lags behind this pragmatic change of Government policy.
The Union’s leaflet on Unacceptable Pupil Behaviour makes it clear that Appeals Panels must accept the following reasons for permanent exclusion:
  • Serious, actual or threatened violence against another pupil or member of staff;
  • sexual abuse;
  • presenting a significant risk to the health and safety of other pupils by selling illegal drugs;
  • persistent and malicious disruptive behaviour, includ-ing open defiance or refusal to conform with agreed school policies on, for example, discipline or dress code. The NUT urges Heads, Governors and LEA to take a firm line on pupil behaviour and to support schools over exclusions. If members do not feel supported in this, contact the Union. We can intervene. ___________________

Injuries and Assaults

Suffolk NUT has sent to all schools 2 copies of advice on what to do if members of staff are injured or assaulted at work. The booklet includes a model school policy on assaults.

Also included is advice to Heads and victims of assault on prosecution. The Union expects, as does the Home Office, that police will take the interests of the school into account when reporting to the CPS. If the police do not prosecute, the Union expects the LEA to do so.
Published by the Suffolk Division NUT
1 Gainsborough Road BURY ST EDMUNDS, IP33 3RX ( & FAX 01284 763980 martingoold@suffolknut.org.uk www.suffolknut.org.uk