Threshold Assessment in
SuffolkUp-date April 2000
Threshold Assessment in
SuffolkThe NUT remains implacably opposed to the imposition of Payment by Results through performance management. We have warned the Government that PRP will be divisive and damaging to the profession and, ultimately, to schools. However, the Government is determined to rush through ill-considered arrangements against the wishes of the vast majority of teachers and headteachers and members will need reliable information in order both to lobby against the ideas and to be informed of the financial implications for themselves.
Members have been surveyed to give their views on how to take forward the campaign. There is still much to play for: if the scheme comes in as currently planned the implications for workload and morale will be very serious indeed:
There are two stages to the introduction of Payment by Results:
Training: This is why the Union has pointed out to headteachers that it is pointless to have training on PRP before the late summer term, because the framework has only just been published (April 2000). Two Baker Days have been set aside this year for PRP training, and the DfEE confused schools by encouraging them to get going in the Spring Term. They have now realised that training sessions in April or May are restricted to reading over the Threshold Assessment pack which already includes advice on how to fill in your threshold assessment.
In any case, PRP is not relevant to all teachers: you have to be on point 9 on the spine (counting only experience and qualifications points) before you can apply and you have to decide that you want to apply. Everyone will still have to be appraised, however, whether you are below, at or above the threshold.
The NUT nationally and locally has tried to dissuade Headteachers from wasting time putting on training about schemes which are not yet finalised and have not been produced for schools, with proper consultation with staff, of course! However, many have called PD Days for this purpose in May and even April. Some of those have realised that there is not much to say and are cutting the day short, or allowing staff to attend the training on a voluntary basis. If directed to attend, members should make themselves available to work at the direction of the Headteacher. The regulations do not say you have to smile or be happy about it!
Costs: The Government say they will protect school's budgets from the extra costs of all threshold payments for these first two years only. This does not include the hidden costs of observations and feed-back time. They have not decided how, if at all, the scheme will be funded thereafter.
Now, later, never? The general belief is that most teachers who apply using the "quick fix" self appraisal form will go over the threshold. This remains to be seen, but the Government certainly wish to see its quick and nasty scheme lead to acceptance by the profession of the idea of threshold payments. It will all be in the hands of individual headteachers. They will have to be careful that they do not let too many go over, however, because they do not know the level of finding from September 2002 onwards: they could land the school with a very large salaries bill.
Appeal? Incredibly, the Government's scheme allows for no appeal (and the DfEE cannot see that there could be any need for any!). However, the Union will support members who "fail", by taking out a grievance. This would have a similar effect to that of an appeal.
Who appraises? For Assessment 2000, the Head alone has to say whether (s)he agrees with your self assessment. For the full PRP scheme operating from September 2000, the head will be assisted by "team leaders". Who these are have to be decided at school level. It is clear from the Framework (Annex B) that Government intend to force coordinators and Heads of Department to participate in the appraisal of staff and the gathering of information on them. The guideline is no more than 4 teachers to be appraised by any team leader: so you can look at your school and work out who will be "team leader". The Union is attempting to get legal support for those who do not wish to participate as team leaders.
Legal Challenge: The NUT is challenging the Government because it is seeking to change the teachers' pay and conditions document by writing in new compulsory duties for "team leaders" to take part in appraisal. The challenge is because the Government forgot to include it in the consultation exercise, as required by law.
The Union's boycott of appraisal continues. The arrangements for Assessment 2000 have been designed by the Government to avoid the need for appraisal: no observation evidence is required to obtain a threshold payment in this first year. The boycott is designed to force further changes in the PRP scheme and will continue for as long as it is practicable and effective.
Workload: The Government is imposing from September 2000 a new annual appraisal for all, which will involve "team leaders" in Planning (recording priorities and objectives with each teacher), Monitoring each teacher throughout the year and reviewing ("over the year" as well as for the final annual review). The workload implications of this are horrendous.
Can I opt out of it all? No: Arrangements to appraise every teacher (including part-timers, supply, peripatetic teachers) every year have to be in place. You can even apply for the threshold assessment if you are off on long-term sick, or maternity leave. You can apply for the threshold payment if you are paid on teacher's rates, but do not do any teaching.
The School's PRP scheme must provide for an annual appraisal cycle for all which will end in a review to check that you have met your targets, in order to:
How long will all this take to operate?: You tell us!
Can it be implemented fairly?: No way! (explanations available).
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