Page 47

Letters

Continued from page 46

rate until the end of June, several of us are paid considerably less over the summer – what should be time off in lieu. And in fact I spent most of my summer ‘break’ writing schemes of work.

The NUT rep in my college has been trying to rectify this, but it is common in sixth form colleges. Last year I lost almost £3,000 in salary as a result of this. Teachers are already under pressure financially at the moment and working ever-longer hours throughout the year. 

I regularly work until midnight, both days of the weekend and through most school holidays, and if the Government want teachers who are inspiring and who take responsibility for learner outcomes, then this underhand payment practice should be stopped. 

(Name and address withheld)

• Attempts to exploit part-time teachers by expecting them to work more than their pro rata hours, or by varying their contracted hours each year – in this case without paying for those extra hours for the full year – are still too common. Members in such situations should seek NUT advice. Across the country, members in sixth form colleges are taking action alongside teachers in schools in response to increasing workload pressures arising from the Secretary of State’s failure to provide adequate funding.

Crisscrossing the threshold

Crisscrossing the threshold

I wonder if any of your readers can parallel my experience regarding the Upper Pay Spine syndrome. I was turned down initially on one of the eight-count criteria.
As a head of department of 22 years I submitted a grievance procedure. This was rejected. I resubmitted and was subsequently failed on six of the criteria. 

The head teacher in question finally approved me for the threshold on my fourth attempt (with a lengthy ”and this is rather against my better judgement” letter, and in his last year before retirement).

Ian Stott, Chesham, Bucks