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Upfront

STOP PRESS Your pay under threat

The NUT has condemned Michael Gove’s plans to attack teachers’ national pay scales and his subsequent declaration that he is “on a war footing” with us on pay and other issues.

NUT General Secretary Christine Blower said: “This is a further attack on our pay and conditions, with no evidence to support it. Rather than being at war with teacher unions, we believe Michael Gove is at war with teachers and public education.”

Among his proposals on pay, made in response to a report of the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB), which are out for consultation until 4 January, are:

• No more prescribed pay points on the main and upper pay scales, just a maximum and minimum.

• No annual pay progression – all progression to be based on appraisal and could depend on factors outside your control.

• No right to keep your pay entitlements if you move school. You might be forced into a pay cut to compete with others.

• Many responsibility payments could become temporary.

• No guarantee of the 1 per cent pay rise next September – this would be at the school’s discretion for many teachers.

Over 90 per cent of respondents in an NUT survey rejected pay being set at school level. Research demonstrates that PRP undermines team working, creates bureaucracy, doesn’t motivate staff and is often unfair. Budgetary diffi culties could also lead to pay restraint at school level.

The NUT Executive has agreed that, following our ballot for strike and non-strike action earlier this year, the Union should prepare for possible strike action this term. The NUT will continue to work with the NASUWT on developing our joint campaign. Read the latest at www.teachers.org.uk/pay

Let’s work together

The NUT co-sponsored a conference in Leeds in November on working together for school improvement. It was organised with the National Association of Head Teachers and National Governors’ Association.

NUT Deputy General Secretary Kevin Courtney reminded participants of how the Education Secretary was forcing schools to become academies, and outlined the NUT’s concern at the growth of free schools (see page 33).

Winning ways!

Congratulations to the NUT members honoured in the 2012 Teaching Awards. Nathan Kemp of Tollgate Primary School in Newham, London, was named Teacher of the Year (see page 43). Dr Elizabeth Bailey (above) from Clacton County

High School was the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year and Ben Tipton of Sacred Heart RC Primary School won the Outstanding Use of Technology in Education award.

Make nominations for 2013 at www.teachingawards.com