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NEWS


Class size cap welcomed

The Scottish Parliament has approved a cap of no more than 25 pupils in all Primary 1 classes.

The move aims to support schools gradually meet the target set by Ministers of 18 or fewer students in Primary 1 to 3 classes.

The NASUWT has welcomed the introduction of a cap in supporting teachers to use their skills and expertise to the fullest advantage, but will continue to press for smaller class sizes across the age range.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said: “Children’s learning needs are increasingly sophisticated.

“A more personalised approach to learning is therefore essential, which cannot be delivered by piling children into classrooms.

“This is a welcome step in the right direction but the journey for manageable and appropriate class sizes across the whole school system is not complete.

“The NASUWT will continue to campaign for reduced class sizes for all age groups.”

Ms Keates added that schools will now need effective support and resourcing in reducing class sizes to ensure that the aim of higher standards is achieved.

“The Government and local authorities must now ensure that its implementation is supported financially and it is implemented through effective workforce planning” she said.

“It is all very well bringing in new rules but if there are not enough trained teachers or resources available, the legislation will inevitably fail the test.”


DIPLOMA REPORT WELCOMED

Effective collaboration must be at the heart of vocational learning, the NASUWT has asserted, following the publication of an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the Diploma programme.

Partnership between schools, colleges and employers and the provision of fully resourced and trained staff are key to providing high quality Diplomas, the report by Ofsted found.

Students who were well supported and able to clearly apply their learning to the world of work made the most progress, inspectors reported.

The findings echo the NASUWT’s argument that encouraging greater collaboration, not competition, between learning providers is critical to raising educational standards in both academic and vocational education, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, stated.

“The Coalition Government should take note that to be effective, vocational qualifications, like many other aspects of education, need partnership working between schools and colleges rather than being pitched to compete against each other in a pseudo-marketplace.

“Ofsted has highlighted the need for schools, colleges and employers to work together. This is where the qualification has been most successful.”

The Report, entitled Diplomas: the Second Year, highlighted a lack of action by schools and colleges to tackle gender-stereotypical recruitment to Diploma courses. Participation by young people with disabilities and learning difficulties was also low and action has been recommended to tackle this.

The NASUWT welcomed the positive findings in the Report and urged those in Government and businesses who considered vocational learning and Diplomas as ‘second class’ qualifications to read the report and remove their blinkers.

There are many positive indications in the Report that the new Diploma programme has made a real difference to the lives of young people. It is clear that they are valued by employers.

Chris Keates said: “However, the serial detractors of state education who seek to denigrate schools and wish to downgrade the status of vocational education will not let this fact get in the way of their constant carping and criticism.

“Those genuinely interested in education will look beyond the headlines and read the report in full, before passing judgement.”

Diplomas: the Second Year can be downloaded at www.ofstedgov.co.uk.


£145,000 for teacher’s voice

The effect of excessive classroom noise and voice strain on teachers has been highlighted by a recent compensation case.

Adult education teacher, Joyce Walters was awarded £145,000 in an out of court settlement for occupational voice loss after managers repeatedly dismissed her concerns as ‘an occupational hazard for all teachers’.

Ms Joyce was diagnosed with nodules on her vocal chords after having to continually strain her voice to be heard during her work teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

The problems began after she was assigned a classroom overlooking a noisy school playground and were exacerbated by the number of ESOL beginners in her class.

Despite an investigation by managers at Hillingdon Council which established a teacher would have to shout to be heard in the classroom, Ms Joyce’s complaints were twice dismissed by her employers.

The NASUWT has highlighted the problem of voice strain for teachers and runs voice care workshops at conferences and at many of its seminars and events for members.

For further advice and guidance go to: www.nasuwt.org.uk/HealthAndSafety.


NASUWT national election results

Honorary Treasurer

At the close of nominations on 1 November 2010, BRIAN COOKSON, as the only nomination received for the vacancy, was deemed to have been elected unopposed.

District 23

At the close of nominations on 12 November 2010, CHRIS HOLLAND, as the only nomination received for the vacancy, was deemed to have been elected unopposed.