Executive News

Executive Report February 2007

General Secretary's Report

Guests from Iraq's Teacher Union were welcomed.

School Teachers' Review Body Report

The NUT welcomes the recommendation that the pay of part-time teachers should reflect their work more accurately, subject to further consultation.
The STRB recommended closer links between pay and performance management on the main scale. The NUT welcomed the Secretary of State's decision not to implement this.
The STRB recommended that existing pay flexibilities should be used to address shortage subjects. Teachers should receive a financial incentive for attaining new qualifications in priority subjects.
The STRB has asked for additional evidence on SEN allowances.

Academies
The National Audit Office has produced a report on progress in academies. Academies seek to change their intake and have increased rates of permanent exclusions. The Excellence in Cities programme has achieved better results much more cheaply.

The Executive Agreed

* Amendments to Conference Motions put forward by the Standing Committees.

* A recommendation from the Officers to formalise the practice of the Officers dealing with the issue of Conference motions and amendments and consistency with union rules was defeated in favour of the Executive taking the final decision. The necessary rule change will be put to Conference.

* The NUT response to the Primary Education Review, including that school leaders should be qualified and experienced teachers.

20/3/2007

Executive Report 25 01 07

General Secretary's Report

Steve Sinnott spoke of the NUT's policies from "Bringing Down the Barriers", where the effect on social class on educational achievement had been emphasized, having been echoed in the recent announcements on Personalized Learning. Extra support for children in need should not depend on the wealth of the parents.
The Government review on Assessment and Testing is a campaigning opportunity for the NUT, possibly with the NAHT, during the consultation period.

The NUT commissioned research by Smithers and Robinson on school Leadership had been timed to coincide with the publication of the PwC report for the DfES. NUT research shows workload and excessive government initiatives discourage potential heads. DfES propose school leaders who may not be qualified teachers. This development has prompted the NAHT to return to the Social Partnership.

Pay

The current inflation rate has reached the 3.25% trigger point for asking the School Teachers' Review Body to reopen consideration of pay since September 2006. Teachers' pay is not keeping pace with inflation, whereas mortgages and other goods and services are going up in price. The Executive agreed to encourage members to support the Union's demand for a review of teachers' pay, in particular by putting a model letter to the Chair of the STRB on the website.
There continues to be evidence that some schools are not carrying out the Statutory Obligation of reviewing teachers' pay every year. As a consequence teachers are missing out on upper pay spine progression. Progression is a contractual right and is not subject to budget constraints.

Seven more disputes have been resolved in the MA/TLR campaign.
The number of formal disputes has varied geographically. E.g. 0 in SE, 4 in East, 10 in NW.

Premature Retirement Compensation remains. It is exempt from Age Discrimination Legislation despite some spurious claims. A circular will be issued shortly.

Workload Campaign

The NUT's documents have been received in schools. This campaign will have a long shelf -life. It is not just for January 2007. Schools and divisions will set their own priorities.

The Executive agreed

* The NUT Play Policy, ready to be launched at the NUT Play Conference on Feb 27th

* NUT response to DfES guidance on School Discipline and Pupil Behaviour Policies.

* Standing Orders for Conference taking account of motions being submitted from the Equality Conferences and to allow flexibility in the timing of Conference.

Glenys Shepherd

7/2/2007

National Executive December 2006

General Secretary's Report

Steve Sinnott welcomed the Chancellor's pre-budget report. The increased spending on schools is a significant step towards Gordon Brown's goal of raising levels of spending in state schools to match those in private schools.

The NAHT have had talks with the Government concerning a return to the social partnership. The NAHT have concerns about discussions impacting on primary school headships. They believe that the NAS/UWT and ASCL are looking at a model of education of a secondary school with primary satellites. The Head may not even be a teacher. The NAS/UWT have a narrow self-interest in this model, believing they would be able to recruit more successfully in primary schools. The Government have said they will review the problem of funding PPA time.

The announcement of a revised target of 400 academies would mean 1 in 12 secondary schools would be an academy. An Academy gives the opportunity for people and organisations with views outside the mainstream to be in charge of children's education. The General Secretary has contacted Brendan Barber for the TUC to conduct a campaign in line with the TUC conference motion.

The Executive Agreed

* To receive the report of the Equality Working Group including a proposal for a rule change to allow motions from the NUT equality conferences to be debated at Conference. This now goes to Conference.

* A motion for the TUC Women's Conference on Violence against women and girls.

* A motion for the TUC Black Workers' Conference calling for a debate on faith schools, race relations and community cohesion.

* That the Union makes clear that the average of no more than one meeting a week over the term should include parents' consultation meetings.

* A positive response to a DfES Consultation to set a new deadline of 27 April 2007 for teachers in cohort 1 (QTS 2000/1) to pass the numeracy skills test.

* To reaffirm NUT policy on 'The Muslim Faith and School Uniform'especially the section on 'Supporting Teachers'.

Glenys Shepherd

11/1/2007