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Page 23


Ask the union


 


I’m an early years teacher and have heard that nursery schools are going to lose a lot of money from their budgets this year – is this true?


The introduction of the Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF) could result in nursery schools and other settings receiving less money than they do currently. The key difference under the EYSFF is that funding is based on participation, or the number of children who attend a setting to take up their entitlement to free early education and care, rather than the number of places the setting has.


In the nine local authorities that participated in the original pilot scheme, this change in funding arrangements had the greatest effect on maintained nursery classes and nursery schools. It could lead to widespread budget deficits.


The NUT, along with a range of early years organisations, campaigned against the introduction of the EYSFF because of the potential consequences. The government agreed to postpone its introduction by a year until April 2011, to give local authorities more time to cost services properly and consult with early years settings. It did give permission, however, for over 60 local authorities to pilot the EYSFF from April 2010.


The NUT is monitoring developments in these EYSFF pathfinder local authorities closely and has produced guidance for members and for NUT school representatives. Download it from the ‘early years’ section of the NUT website www.teachers.org.uk (click on ‘school sector policy’, then ‘early years’). A list of the pathfinder local authorities can also be found there.


Key advice If you work in one of the pathfinder local authorities (LAs) and have any concerns about the EYSFF and the impact it may have on your employment, working conditions or setting, speak to your NUT school representative in the first instance.


If you don’t have a school rep or still have concerns, approach your NUT division – find the contact details by clicking on the map at www.teachers.org.uk.





You can also help the NUT’s national monitoring by emailing j.ellerby@nut.org.uk to request a questionnaire on your experiences of being in a pathfinder LA.


If you work in a local authority that is not yet piloting the EYSFF, it should be using the additional time to consult schools and settings. If you believe the consultation process has not been followed correctly contact your NUT division secretary. He or she should be able to help ensure that all the costs incurred by your setting are identified and forwarded to the local authority, and that the LA keeps your setting up to date with how the EYSFF is developing – including providing a provisional budget.


 


 


I’ve read about a new right for employees to receive training being introduced. Are teachers covered by this new right and if so, how does the process work?


The new right, which came into effect on 6 April 2010, is to request ‘time to train’. It applies to employees, including teachers, who work for employers of 250 people or more, and who have worked continuously for at least 26 weeks on the date they make their training request. Teachers working for smaller employers, for example voluntary aided schools, will have the right extended to cover them in April 2011.


Teachers now have the right to request training opportunities from their employer. In practice, however, because of devolved management in community schools, it is likely that requests will be channelled through individual schools. A senior member of staff – possibly the head teacher or the CPD (continuing professional development) coordinator – will probably be responsible for administering the system and considering requests, in consultation with line managers.


Teachers can put in requests to undertake any training they believe will improve their effectiveness in school. You may wish to discuss your request with your local NUT learning rep or with colleagues so that a joint approach can be made. Contact your NUT division secretary for details of your local NUT learning rep.


To be valid, a request for ‘time to train’ must be submitted in a particular way. There are also obligations upon schools regarding how requests are considered and on what grounds they may be turned down. Full details are contained in the briefing New Right to Request Time to Train – Guidance for NUT Members, available from the NUT website at www.teachers.org.uk/node/11394.


Employers are only required to consider one request from an employee for ‘time to train’ in a 12-month period. This does not preclude teachers from also making informal approaches about training. In fact the NUT recommends that members make informal approaches first. Only where such informal approaches are unsuccessful would there be a need to consider the formal procedure.


 


Send your questions to the NUT’s legal, professionals, and health and safety experts to ‘Ask the union’, The Teacher, NUT, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD or email teacher@nut.org.uk.


Please note that questions relating to personal problems or specific workplace situations should be directed to your school NUT rep or local association or division – contact details are on your membership credentials.

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