Does everyone realise about the 'action short of strike'?

[cricketballs]

Just wondering what those who aren't employed in education know about the action short of strike that is starting from 26th September?

Do you realise that teachers from NASUWT and the NUT will basically be working to the letter of the terms and conditions? Do you have any think it will impact on the general public or just those within education given that the vast majority of instructions from the union are of not putting up with added extras demanded on us by SLT?

Just after opinions.....

madonna: "As I said, he is paid more, but has more experience"

But remember, once you reach the top of your incremental ladder (if you're not there already), you will be stuck at the same salary for ever - unless you go through the threshold, but even that's only a one-off increase at a time. So you will be increasing your experience for many years, with no monetary recognition for it. And career progression in the primary sector at least, is pretty limited really.

And as I mentioned earlier, we're not paid for those long holidays (apart from the statutory 5 weeks or so).

My impression is that the hours teachers are expected to contribute beyond the school day varies dramatically between schools and probably also depends on headteacher's expectations.

At our local primary school teachers don't run any before, lunch or after school clubs at all. They don't give any homework in KS1 at least, so no marking, and the lessons plan are identical year on year (have had 3 children go through that school and have done identical things every year).

From my point of view of a parent at our school I see no difference whatsover to them, unless they do the odd meeting out of school that I am not aware of. Even parents' evening is done during the day!!!!!

I know from other friends though who are teachers in other schools that they are "expected" to do a lot more, so it is very variable I think.

Are there any jobs going at this school orange?

No because obviously nobody wants to leave!!!

I am a secondary science HOD, going to UPS2 this year (appraisal permitting!). So I should get a pay rise, and got a very significant one when I was promoted from TLR 2a to 1f.

I think you're probably right that things are different in primary in terms of the potential for career progression, but you don't get pay rises in lots of other professions without promotion either, nor do you get the initial automatic increment.

In primary you often get the responsibility without the pay rise.

Well, that's true in secondary too really. You take on responsibility in order to be able to apply to be paid for even more!

I am really shocked at the way primary school teachers are treated.

I am quite happy with my lot but would be happy to support action to raise the pay and conditions for primary teachers.

I am genuinely shocked that we have a surplus of primary teachers , I cannot imagine why someone would do it.

For example I'm KS leader, SENCO, INCO, Designated Child Protection Officer, Extended Schools co, SEAL co and a member of the leadership team none of which I get paid for. I'm also literacy coordinator and full time class teacher.

orangeberries "They don't give any homework in KS1 at least, so no marking" - do people only mark homework? What about classwork?

Whereas when we last advertised a science job, we were thrilled to get 12 applicants. And although we needed two, we only appointed one because the rest were not good...

If we move away from national pay scales, I wonder what would happen to primary pay...

Although I was told it was harder to recruit primary heads, is that right?

No one (with any sense) wants to be a primary head

Don't you have a TLR, mrz? I am SMT, Literacy coordinator, assessment, staff governor, Intervention Manager - but I do have a TLR 2.

Yes, serious recruitment problems for Heads and Deputies in Primary, FallenMadonna.

I get the lowest TLR for being literacy coordinator nothing for the other roles

I lead a truly eclectic mix of 3 subject areas (and am about to get another, really major, one) and do assorted other jobs around the place to do with data and ICT oif different types - it's normal to lead curriculum areas, usually several, in a small school without any TLR. There isn't an SMT as there is no heirarchy!

Mine is the lowest, it's for the literacy and assessment.

I had 9 areas at one time but managed to dump passed some of them to new members of staff
the joys of primary

Thank you for the list. I can see some things that might affect parents and pupils in our school.

Instruction 4 - Y6's have only recently 'appraised' other teachers. This actually really helped my DS1, as he has seen that different teaching styles actually yield the same results, and is much less 'angsty' about his current, strict teacher.

Instruction 7 - I need the half termly reports for my DS2 (all pupils get them), as it enables me to see what he is falling behind with quicker do that I can help him. Annually is NOT enough.

Instruction 10 - I know that there is a staff meeting every Thursday after school, plus others as well.

Instruction 16 - I KNOW that teachers cover for those on sick leave during PPA if there is more than one teacher off, as the HT doesn't use bank supply unless there are 3+ teachers off at once.

Instruction 19 - Does this also cover Deputy HT's? As ours teaches 3/5 of the week.

Instruction 20 - See instruction 16.

Instruction 24 - Happens constantly for KS2 SATS.

Instruction 25 - I know annexes 1, 3, 5, 8 and 11 are relevant.

And the clubs thing - it's not really voluntary, all teachers are expected to run at least a half term a year after school club. I really hope they don't stop! It's one of the best things about this school, the amazing selection of after school clubs, and the teachers giving up their time to run them.

I can see a few things that will affect the teachers, and some that will affect parents and pupils.

If they stop the half termly reports, I for one will be livid. If the school can't be bothered to help all the DC's with SN's, the least I expect as a parent is 6-weekly report on what he is struggling with so that I can help him when the school Isn't!!

Mrz if you don't want to be a primary head and you don't get paid for the responsibility why not just refuse to take on anything extra? I am clearly far too hard nosed to work in primary.

Couthy,

The fact that the action will have a negative effect on pupils - whether it is one pupil, a whole class, or the whole school - is why many teachers in many schools, despite union affiliation, are not taking part in the action.

And before anyone says 'you should be loyal to your union'...

All teachers have to belong to a union, it is a form of professional indemnity insurance.

There used to be an effective but non-striking union - ATL - for those teachers who felt strongly that action to protect teachers should never impinge on the education given to pupils.

Then ATL called a strike, which left non-striking unions either homeless, or with the choice of joining either a non-effective union (in the sense of professional indemnity insurance) which does not specialise in education (Voice) or joining a union which had no plans to call a strike at that time (NASUWT).

Quite a lot of previous ATL members joined NASUWT at that point.

If I could buy 'non union' but effective professional indemnity insurance at an appropriate price, I would do so. As it is, I have no choice but to join a union. Please excuse me if I do not jump every time it says jump if it would harm the education of my pupils.

Derceto,

If I refuse to do something, then another overworked member of staff gets dumped on instead, or the job doesn't get done and pupils suffer ....

I suppose I could do that but I happen to be quite good at my job and if I didn't do it then who would?

[4th paragraph down in my earlier post should read 'non-striking MEMBERS']

Instruction 4 - Y6's have only recently 'appraised' other teachers. This actually really helped my DS1, as he has seen that different teaching styles actually yield the same results, and is much less 'angsty' about his current, strict teacher.

The issue with this is it is often used to 'grade' the teacher and to be honest why should a yr 6 pupil give a degree educated professional an appraisal that can affect the rest of their career?

Instruction 7 - I need the half termly reports for my DS2 (all pupils get them), as it enables me to see what he is falling behind with quicker do that I can help him. Annually is NOT enough.

you can speak to the teacher! Written reports take a vast amount of time which can be better utilised in planning, marking etc and quite often reports are the main focus of work for majority of teachers

Instruction 10 - I know that there is a staff meeting every Thursday after school, plus others as well.

This will only affect meetings etc which fall outside of the directed time budget. If your school has correctly published to its staff its time budget, planned meetings etc this won't change. However, in many schools the SLT/HT will over go the budget

Instruction 16 - I KNOW that teachers cover for those on sick leave during PPA if there is more than one teacher off, as the HT doesn't use bank supply unless there are 3+ teachers off at once.

This should not be happening and against every directive from DoE; the staff at your school should say no to this irrespective of this action

Instruction 19 - Does this also cover Deputy HT's? As ours teaches 3/5 of the week.

If they are in the NUT/NASWUT then yes, there are other unions though that are not taking part in this action

Instruction 20 - See instruction 16.

The directives regarding cover have been issued for a number of years now; see my answer to instruction 16

Instruction 24 - Happens constantly for KS2 SATS.

again, should not be happening anyway

Instruction 25 - I know annexes 1, 3, 5, 8 and 11 are relevant.

These have been in place for a number of years, and yes sometimes it is easier as a teacher to carry out these tasks but there should be a system in place to allow these to be undertaken by someone else

To be honest Couthy the school which your DC attend sounds like they have a big issue with their SLT/HT.

The issues that you raise in regards to a child with SN in terms of a report can be overcome by talking and doesn't need to half termly report (speaking as a parent with a DS in special school and a 25 hour statement)