April 1999 - Newsletter

It May Have Gone Quiet
But It Hasn't Gone Away

The Green Paper proposals are still there, waiting to be implemented. The new appraisal regulations have been postponed, but the Government will still be putting plans for the new system to the Review Body this autumn.

Remember that these plans involve

• The equivalent of your own annual OFSTED inspection to determine your pay.
• A new "threshold" for anyone wanting to progress up to the top of the main scale or be promoted
• A long list of criteria to be met for you to pass the threshold, including preparing a portfolio, and seeking the opinions of parents, pupils and governors
• 3 weeks extra work for anyone passing the threshold
• Fast tracks for some new teachers, sidings for lots of existing ones
• Many other insulting and divisive proposals based on the assumption that teachers need a carrot and stick system to get them to do their job properly.

The NUT's survey showed that members are overwhelmingly opposed to these proposals.

The NUT's intention is to make it clear to the Government that we want fair pay for the demanding job we already do, and that we will not accept a system that links pay to appraisal.

Don't forget to voteyes

Suspicions aroused?

The DfEE has written to all schoolstrying to get the home addressesof all teachers. It is not your employer and has no statutary right to the information. We have checked with Head Office, and their advice is not to provide the information. It is probably wanted for propaganda purposes.