In their latest advice to members about progress on the Upper Pay Spine, both NAHT and SHA make no reference to additional criteria to help Headteachers decide who will move to the next point in September. This is a welcome change to advice they have sent out in the recent past.
There are, however, still dangers which threaten fair and equitable progression and which we need to guard against. One such danger is the idea of the submission of extra evidence by the teacher.
NAHT and SHA recommend that teachers should be asked to draw the Head’s attention to their contribution to the school. This could provide Heads with the opportunity of recreating a version of the threshold process, involving extra work for the teacher which this process should definitely not involve. And although this submission by the teacher would be optional, it is easy to imagine the pressure to comply which teachers would be under. With responsibility for Performance Reviews placed firmly with the Head, there should be no need for teachers to supply further evidence, and the Union must be vigilant in ensuring that members who choose not to provide more evidence are not treated less favourably than those who do.
It is important to remember that the statutory duty of implementing the post-threshold system lies with the Head and governors. It is not a system based on application. Teachers should not, therefore, be asked to apply for consideration for movement.
It is important to remember that the statutory duty of implementing the post-threshold system lies with the Head and governors. It is not a system based on application. Teachers should not, therefore, be asked to apply for consideration for movement.
The current education budget has left many primary schools with less money than they need, and in some schools this has led to the threat of job losses. Bradford NUT is aware of this situation and is doing all it can to persuade the Council to put more money into schools.
Please inform the NUT office If you work in a school where teachers’ jobs are threatened, in case we are not already aware of this.
Anyone who has a temporary or fixed term contract which is not to be renewed on August 31st should also let us know because they may have rights which we will be able to help them to claim.
The £33 the government is paying to cover the GTC fee should be in pay packets this month. If you opted to pay by deduction from salary your net salary should remain unchanged with £23 taken for the fee and £10 going in tax etc. This will also happen if you did not say how you wanted to pay the fee. If you opted to pay by another means you should still have the money in your pay to cover this.
If you work in a foundation or VA school this may have been done last month.
If you opted to pay by direct debit you need to make sure you have not been charged twice.
The GTC should have sent you a form to claim back any more tax which may be owing to you.
A recent incident at a Bradford secondary school serves as a warning to school managements about complacency over roofing works. Contractors working on the roof of a room which had not been closed to staff and pupils decided to make a small aperture to enable them to repair an extractor fan - a job of a few minutes and not worth making a fuss about. A large, heavy chisel was dropped through this hole and fell to the floor. Thankfully, no-one was hit.
The rule is that rooms should be vacated when work is taking place on the roof above.