Pressures on teachers 1

A quote from one of our members:

"As a result of last week's Moodle training and the new information on the
new criteria Ofsted are now using to judge teachers ie what used to be
satisfactory=unsatisfactory, good=satisfactory, outstanding=good and now to
be outstanding you have to be able to swing from chandeliers, I have asked
to go part time after 30 years of trying to jump through hoops!"

Just how useful is OFSTED in helping and motivating teachers? Give us your views by commenting on the blog or email wstalearn (at) yahoo.co.uk

Lifelong learning newsletter

The lifelong learning newsletter can be downloaded from here


Continuing Professional Development
NUT CPD is cost-effective. Many courses are free to NUT members. This is an incentive for cash-strapped heads. The CPD programme is based on the perceived needs of all our members.

At the time of writing there are courses on:
* Equal access to SMT
* Behaviour management
* Internationalising learning



Union Training
NUT reps, health and safety reps, reps in Academies, Private Schools and Faith schools are all catered for on NUT courses.

Retirement Planning - The NUT with Teachers’ Assurance organises seminars on retirement planning.



Interested in any of these courses? Contact the Union learning rep on the email address wstalearn (at) yahoo.co.uk or ring 01403 258222.

ICT – our whiteboard course has been our most successful. It is the NUT which provides free ICT training for supply teachers rather than just expecting them to cope. The course is also popular with classroom teachers..


Silver surfers have special powers!
Silver surfer is the term applied to users of the internet over 50. Many of us have benefited from free ICT training from the NUT.


Love Music Hate Racism course

I attended the Love Music, Hate Racism course last year. The course was aimed at suggesting ways in which music can be used to celebrate diversity and tackle racism. We were introduced to song writing, DJing, rapping, the history of hip-hop and music of black origin and media portrayl of hip-hop – some material was very heart felt by delegates including myself. We even had time to discuss how to organise a Love Music, Hate Racism event locally or in school. The course provided some useful and interesting ideas that could be used in the classroom with exercises such as rhyming names with a hobby/interest and writing raps based on stereotypes we all meet in our lives. The course was interesting and fun. In fact I would say it was the best course I have ever been on! It appealed to my personal and professional interests. I enjoyed meeting other delegates on the course. Everyone enjoyed the course and valued the material covered. Dave, KMT and the other facilitators that attended were knowledgeable, confident and made sure everyone enjoyed the Love Music, Hate Racism course experience! We even received a certificate for our attendance and our new knowledge of ways to tackle racism and discrimination!

Of course being at Stoke Rochford also added to our enjoyment - a beautiful building, in lovely grounds, with comfortable accommodation and delicious food!
Lianne Bowling
Supply Teacher, Brighton

Stoke Rochford is the NUT training centre. It is also the venue for the annual Education Conference.

Education Conference

I have been to the Education Conference five times. They usually have interesting and informative speakers on current issues in education.

For example, Robin Alexander spoke about the primary curriculum review. Sue Palmer spoke about her book “Toxic Childhood.”

The accommodation and the food are excellent. The setting is very relaxing and beautiful. It is an ideal opportunity to meet with people you know and to meet new people. A weekend well spent.

Angela Ahern

Kevin Courtney won the Deputy General Secretary Election.

For those of you who didn't already know - Kevin Courtney won the Deputy General Secretary Election.

West Sussex Teachers' Association was instrumental in getting him elected.

In a recession a strong union is often the best defence.

URGENT APPEAL FOR HAITI EARTHQUAKE

West Sussex Teachers Association encourage you to support the international mobilization of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Haiti following Tuesday’s devastating earthquake. The earthquake is reported to have left over 50,000 people dead. Many more trapped under the rubble of collapsed building, including schools, have not been accounted for.

Education International has set up a fund to support colleagues at the Haiti teaching union, Confédération National des Enseignants d’Haïti, to help teachers, students and communities rebuild their lives in order to return to work and school. Access more information via:
http://www.ei-ie.org/en/news/show.php?id=1168&theme=solidarityfund&country=haiti

The TUC has also set up the TUC Aid – Haiti Appeal as part of a major international effort to assist with this appalling human tragedy.

Action

Donations to the Education International Solidarity Fund can be transferred to the following account:

Education International “Fonds de Solidarité”
ING Bank
Rue du Trône, 14-16
1000 Brussels
Account number: 310-1006170-75
IBAN: BE05 3101 0061 7075
SWIFT OR BIC CODE: BBRUBEBB


/Cont’d…



Circular No. 10-008/EE&PD -2- 15 January 2010



The TUC Aid – Haiti Appeal will be online next week, but if you want to respond immediately, please send cheques payable to “TUC Aid - Haiti Appeal” and send to:

TUC Aid
c/o EUIRD
Congress House
Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3LS

Yours sincerely


CHRISTINE BLOWER
General Secretary

Teachers will inspect OFSTED

Teachers are organising a No Notice Inspection/Lobby of OFSTED's head office, 125 Kingsway London WC2 Wednesday 13th January 4:30pm – 6:00pm. We'll have placards with some of their latest idiocies.

Severe Winter conditions

During the current prolonged spell of snowy weather, a number of issues have arisen on which members and school/health and safety representatives are seeking advice.

The question and answers set out below deal with some of the most common questions being raised.

School Closure – The Facts

The DCSF advises that it is preferable for individual schools in consultation with local authorities to decide whether to stay open or close. Local authorities may, however, take decisions on closure with respect to community and voluntary controlled schools if they wish to ensure a consistent approach across an area. Local authorities do not have the power to oblige foundation or voluntary aided schools or academies to close. Schools are advised to take a common-sense approach based on local conditions and the potential risks to pupils and staff both in school and while travelling between home and school. DCSF advice is available from www.teachernet.gov.uk/educationoverview/severeweeather/faqs/

On some occasions schools may need to close early because of rapidly deteriorating conditions and problems with transport home. Schools should have systems in place for alerting parents in such circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

My head teacher is putting pressure on staff to get into school. Many staff are facing long drives in treacherous driving conditions or are facing uncertain journeys on public transport. Is it reasonable to expect them to come into school in these circumstances?

Whilst it is fair enough to expect staff, particularly those who are very local, to make reasonable attempts to get to work, head teachers should not be expecting staff to ignore official advice not to travel and put themselves at risk. The DCSF suggests that if traffic organisations recommend only ‘essential travel’ that ‘essential travel’ includes pupils going to school and staff going to work. The NUT disagrees with this interpretation of ‘essential travel’ which, if adopted, would result in no decrease of traffic whatsoever! In our view ‘essential travel’ is that which is needed to protect people, for example medical or emergency services, gritting services, food supplies etc.

My school has been closed for a week. Will we have to make up this time either this term or in the summer term?

The NUT considers that such a move would be unreasonable, given that term dates are published more than 12 months in advance and that staff and parents will in many cases have made holiday plans. Contact your local association or division if this is proposed.

I’ve had to miss two days of school because my own child’s school was closed because of the snow. Will I be paid?

There is a statutory right to take unpaid leave of absence for family and domestic reasons for incidents involving employees’ dependants. In addition there may also be a contractual entitlement to a certain number of days’ paid leave by virtue of a local agreement. The NUT would encourage schools to look generously upon requests for paid leave of absence in these exceptional circumstances, particularly given that teachers cannot take annual leave in the way that other employees can.

My school is closed to pupils but staff have been directed to attend where possible. Is this reasonable? If I cannot attend, will I still be paid?

Yes, but only if staff are able to attend without putting themselves unnecessarily at risk. Those who cannot attend can agree with their head teacher to undertake certain tasks at home, including PPA and other appropriate activities. Those who can attend may be able to participate in some joint staff planning. The NUT would argue that wherever possible staff should be permitted to work at home, rather than remaining unnecessarily in school. As far as pay is concerned, the NUT will challenge any attempts to withhold pay from teachers who were genuinely unable to attend work.

I live close to my school and have, therefore, been able to attend work, along with a few other colleagues. The head teacher has directed us to assist with shovelling snow and treating paths with grit/salt. Is this reasonable?

Definitely not. Such tasks are not part of the professional duties of teachers and should be undertaken by premises staff.

I can’t get to my own school because of the snow and my head teacher has suggested that I offer my services at my nearest school. Is this a sensible idea?

No it isn’t. It would not be helpful for schools to have strangers turning up offering their services. Quite apart from the issue of CRB checks, the idea is totally impracticable. Schools need to make decisions about closure early in the morning or the previous evening. Such decisions cannot be made based on the off-chance that other teachers might be available to help out.

More than half of the pupil toilets in my school are unusable due to frozen pipes. Would this be a good enough reason to close the school?

This could well be the case, depending on the number of toilets available and how quickly the problem can be remedied. Certainly a lack of toilets (and also warm water for handwashing) can very quickly become a health issue. The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 specify that there should be 1 toilet for every 10 pupils under the age of five, one toilet for every 20 pupils aged 5 or over and 1 toilet for every 10 pupils in special schools.

Minutes of General Meeting on 1st October 2009

Minutes of the General Meeting of WSTA held on 01.10.2009 at Steyning Grammar School at 4.30pm

The President Alison Baker had been delayed, the Vice President was en route. Past President Phil Dufty took the Chair and made introductions.

1Apologies were received from the following School Reps M McCarthy, C.O’Callaghan, A wells, Sally Dreckmann, Audrey Snodin, Carmelo Rafala, Deborah Mabbitt, Claire Doyle and Steyning grammar members S Uzzell, N Hursthouse, C Gannaway, L Kitchen, H Gillman, V Besley and W Church.
Vice President Derek McMillan arrived and took the Chair
Main Issues
A. The Campaign to Abolish SATs at KS2
i)Veronica Peppiatt gave the National perspective on the joint NUT/NAHT campaign outlining the more cautious approach of the NAHT Executive Council to hold an indicative ballot to reassure its members after government threats of legal action against Heads.
ii)The NUT considered its options of proceeding alone or in concert the latter judging the joint action promoted school unity and would engender more parental support.
iii)Nationally there appears to be less parental support for SATs and we must build this into opposition to them.
iv)Chris Miles raised the issue of National guidance on SATs preparation and APP for Yr2 and Yr6 teachers in the interim. Veronica reported the draft from the joint NUT/NAHT strategy committee containing the words “not excessive SATs preparation” was expected.
v)Phil Dufty proposed , seconded Dave Hathaway that contact with our local NUT and a piece in the press would be advantageous. This was agreed unanimously. Details of personnel involved and the way forward would be discussed later.
Standing Orders were suspended to take motions while there was a large quorum.
B.Motions for Conference
i)Motion 1 on International Matters (attached to minute book) was proposed by Veronica Peppiatt, seconded Phil Dufty. Dave Thomas proposed a friendly amendment last paragraph Item 2- “for example at National Conferences” and it was agreed unanimously.

ii)Motion 2 on associate membership of potential Teacher Trainees who are completing a year as TAs prior to College entry. (Attached to minute book)Proposed by Phil Dufty, Seconded Dave Hathaway. There was much discussion about the mechanics of the scheme, poaching of UNISON members and what benefits we could offer those who chose to belong in view of NUT non-negotiating recognition for TAs in West Sussex. The vote was 9 For, 4 against and 2 Abstentions. Following further discussion the motion will go forward despite the proposer’s own reservations.
President Alison Baker assumed the Chair.


2 Nominations for National Posts
a) National Executive Member. Phil Dufty proposed Veronica Peppiatt, seconded by Derek McMillan and agreed unanimously.
b) Senior and Junior National Vice-Presidents, Treasurer and Examiners of Accounts all fell because the deadline had passed.
c) Deputy General Secretary. Information on all candidates had been received and links to their websites had been made readily available from the WSTA site since June. Members of the meeting spoke for two of the three candidates before Veronica Peppiatt proposed that with such difference within a small meeting it was not appropriate for WSTA to nominate any candidate. This was seconded by Marje Hammond and the vote was For 10, Against 4 with I abstention.
Veronica Proposed WSTA should invite all candidates to a hustings and invite WSTA and neighbouring association members to hear them speak and ask them questions. If this were made an Extraordinary General Meeting before 6th January a vote to decide on nomination would still be possible. This was seconded Dave Thomas and the vote was 13 For 0 Against with 2 Abstentions. The detailed planning would take place after the meeting.

3.Rarely Cover
Alison Baker gave the background on actual situations of extra cover supervisors being employed or extra teaching sessions introduced to timetables.
Dave Thomas said the WAMG was monitoring the situation locally and should be kept well informed and urged to act.
Veronica asked for all school based information and feedback so as to promote this.
As before on this issue Local Reps present reported their own situations
Steyning grammar – members were disinclined to ask for CPD, cover for new innovative school trips and extra curricular events not previously established.
Alison Baker reported this had been raised at JCC and school feedback had been requested by Officers. There was some evidence the Headteachers were being urged to “stick to the rules” by the LA and ACSL support this approach.
Elaine Vary urged particular attention to HLTA use as cover “Teachers” for extended periods eg her own school.
Dave Hathaway said that the increasing use of non-teacher qualified staff for cover and extended cover was worsening the children’s chances and WSTA should be supplying information to the papers locally to highlight this to parents. It was decided firm data would be needed if we took this approach.
Phil Dufty proposed the executive Committee should design a simple survey for School Rep feedback to gather information by end of November 09 for JCC to use at December JCC, Seconded Elaine Vary. This was agreed unanimously and details of its design and circulation would be decided after the meeting. Phil Dufty offered his services in drafting the document


4. GTC Code of Conduct
Veronica Peppiatt gave the background and said that its implementation was still under review. NUT still regards the proposals as suspect if not flawed. Max Hyde from the NUT had spoken out firmly against it but had been outvoted. It was proposed Dave Thomas and seconded Derek McMillan that Lisa Copeland as a serving GTC member should be asked to speak/report on the GTC at the next Executive meeting.

5.Minutes of the last General Meeting 04.06.09 were received, agreed and signed
6.Matters Arising
i)John Beka had been booked on to the Black Teachers’ .Conference
ii)Pink Pig NQT Recruiting packs . Veronica had spares available for schools where not all NQT members had been released for induction or received them previously. A number of inserts, gifts and novelties were available to take.
7.Treasurer’s Report.
Current positions of expenditure and income showed us running a deficit model in line with WSTA policy of reducing financial reserves in order to maximise Grant income.
Income £23921-14 expenditure £34, 546-86.The association currently holds £30,810-69 which is about £8 a member.

8 Early Nominations for Annual conference. John Beka indicated his interest
9. Executive Member’s report the issue for July was circulated
10.Regional Office Report. None had been sent
There was discussion about the lack of a specific West Sussex report although the receipt of Broadband newsletter for the region was sent termly.
It was agreed that Dave Thomas would write to the Regional Secretary to request either Staff attendance or specific West Sussex feedback for future meetings.

11. The Court of the University of Sussex.
Jonathan Esden had indicated his wish to stand down although Chris miles wished to continue. The matter of Jonathan‘s successor would be referred to the Regional Secretary for discussion at Regional Council.

12. AOB The issue of The Teachers’ MOT proposal was raised and will form an issue for the next General Meeting.

The meeting closed at 6.15pm

General Meeting on 14 Jan (weather permitting!)

West Sussex
Teachers’ Association
NATIONAL UNION OF TEACHERS


The next general meeting of the West Sussex Teachers’ Association will be on Thursday 14th Jan 2010, 4.30pm at North Lancing Primary School (Mill Road Lancing BN15 OPT). The main focus of the meeting will be:


Teachers 'MOT' (Teachers' Licence Scheme)
Prioritisation of Motions for Annual Conference


Agenda

1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of the Last General Meeting held on Thursday 1st Oct at Steyning Grammar School
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes
4. Written Reports
 Secretary
 Treasurer
 Others
5. Main focus item: choosing motions for Annual Conference, Liverpool 2010
6. Main focus item: discussion of Teachers' Licence Scheme
7. Annual Conference 2010 – finalisation of delegate list
8. Early Notification of Election of WSTA Officers for Next Year
9. Deputy General Secretary Nomination (donation)
10. Executive member’s Report
11. Regional Office Report
12. AOB