Current Issues

A message to all teachers from NUT General Secretary, Christine Blower “I’m delighted with the huge amount of support that our campaign against SATs is gaining amongst teachers, parents and children. Well over 10,000 people have now signed the NUT and NAHT's joint petition calling on the Government to end SATs.We plan to publicise the number of signatures received in November 2009 so let’s see how many we can make it by October 31. Please encourage everyone you know to sign the petition online at the NUT website www.teachers.org.uk or download paper copies. Together we can end themisery of SATs andmake 2010 a great, SATs-free year for education.”

Remember – Assessing Pupils’ Progress (APP) is voluntary. The NUT, in common with the NAHT, will not sanction forms of assessment that increase workload. A joint statement on APP has now been agreed between the teachers’ organisations and the DCSF and QCDA.

This says: “Its use is voluntary. Any implementation of APP should be the subject of discussion and consultation with staff. Schools can adapt APP for their particular circumstances.” The NUT is absolutely clear that decisions about how and when to use APP must rest with staff after consultation in school.

Members who come under pressure to introduce forms of APP that contradict their professional judgement and create excessive workload should contact their local NUT representative.

Vote ‘yes’ in the indicative ballot. We will be holding an indicative ballot this term for all primary and relevant middle school members. We will be asking if you want an end to SATs and whether you would be prepared to boycott all work on SATs, if called upon to do so. We will obviously be encouraging a ‘yes’ vote in this ballot.

The Government has announced new measures, which will be brought in next year, to strengthen the enforcement of teachers’ contractual rights. The Government says action will be taken against governing bodies where teachers are not getting these rights. The NUT welcomes these measures. For the last six years we have criticised the workload agreement for its lack of enforceability. However, there is no need to wait to claim your rights.

Ten per cent PPA time is a contractual right that the NUT will help you to enforce now. Those on induction should not teach for more than 90 per cent of the time in the standard timetable. You cannot be required to cover for more than 38 hours in any academic year. The date of implementation for ‘rarely covering’ is 1 September 2009. For assistance in enforcing your rights, get in touch with the NUT locally.

DON’T BE DIVERTED

You tell us that the biggest problems you face are requirements for excessive planning and too many observations. As professionals, all teachers are entitled to make professional judgements and to be treated with professional respect and dignity. Your Union is putting these concerns to Government.

Observation

This should not be an open-ended process. It is not acceptable for head teachers to simply ‘drop in’ to classes. The observation process should be clearly structured and kept to a minimum.

Preparation and lesson planning

DON’T WORK FOR FREE!

Remember, teachers should not be expected to undertake additional responsibilities without appropriate additional pay. If demands are made on you that you believe to be inappropriate, seek support from the NUT locally.

NUT Acting General Secretary, Christine Blower, said:

“The NUT addresses the issues around workload that matter to teachers. If you’re not getting your contractual rights, don’t wait. Contact us and we’ll make sure you get your entitlements. If you’re not already a member, join the NUT – the union putting your priorities at the top of the agenda.”

Teachers’ pay has fallen behind inflation and behind pay in other professions. The NUT’s pay campaign means that every teacher knows about the fair pay issue. The NUT strike on 24 April has raised public awareness and shown how strongly teachers feel. The NUT’s involvement in the successful TUC lobby of Parliament on 9 June has brought the issue to the doors of MPs and the Government.

Use the resources on the NUT website at www.teachers.org.uk/fairpay to keep supporting the NUT’s campaign! Write to your MP using the email lobbying facility
See your MP or local councillor in their local surgeries
Sign the NUT petition and make sure your colleagues at school do the same
Make sure teachers’ pay and workload are live discussions in your staffroom and community
Get involved in the NUT and in local meetings and campaigning.

The NUT wants a proper work life balance for every teacher. It’s good for you and good for the children you teach. The NUT’s workload campaign is a nationally supported campaign that can be taken forward in your school and in every school. NUT guidance has been sent to all schools. Read it at www.teachers.org.uk/workload. Organise discussion in your staffroom with your NUT colleagues and other teachers.

Working together, we can secure the NUT’s workload targets for September 2008:
No to clerical or administrative tasks
A directed time calendar in all schools
Reductions in cover hours
Ten per cent PPA time for all teachers
Leadership and management time on top of PPA time
Policy on planning and meetings in line with NUT policy
Proper midday

Acting General Secretary Christine Blower says: “Excessive workload and the erosion of teachers’ pay are issues which affect every teacher and can unite the teaching profession. The NUT is ready to work with those who recognise this and want to do something about it.”

Teachers’ pay has fallen behind inflation and behind pay in other professions. GOOD FOR CHILDREN, GOOD FOR TEACHERS - The NUT wants a proper work life balance for every teacher. It’s good for you and good for the children you teach.

FAIR PAY FOR TEACHERS

Teachers’ pay has fallen behind inflation and behind pay in other professions.

The NUT’s pay campaign means that every teacher knows about the fair pay issue. The NUT strike on 24 April has raised public awareness and shown how strongly teachers feel. The NUT’s involvement in the successful TUC lobby of Parliament on 9 June has brought the issue to the doors of MPs and the Government.

Use the resources on the NUT website at www.teachers.org.uk/fairpay to keep supporting the NUT’s campaign!

Write to your MP using the email lobbying facility See your MP or local councillor in their local surgeries Sign the NUT petition and make sure your colleagues at school do the same Make sure teachers’ pay and workload are live discussions in your staffroom and community Get involved in the NUT and in local meetings and campaigning.

GOOD FOR CHILDREN, GOOD FOR TEACHERS

The NUT wants a proper work life balance for every teacher. It’s good for you and good for the children you teach. The NUT’s workload campaign is a nationally supported campaign that can be taken forward in your school and in every school. NUT guidance has been sent to all schools. Read it at www.teachers.org.uk/workload. Organise discussion in your staffroom with your NUT colleagues and other teachers.

No to clerical or administrative tasks
A directed time calendar in all schools
Reductions in cover hours
Ten per cent PPA time for all teachers
Leadership and management time on top of PPA time
Policy on planning and meetings in line with NUT policy
Proper midday breaks for all teachers.

Acting General Secretary Christine Blower says:
“Excessive workload and the erosion of teachers’ pay are issues which affect every teacher and can unite the teaching profession. The NUT is ready to work with those who recognise this and want to do something about it.”