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OFSTED downgrade for schools adopting teaching unions?


H


ead teachers that ignore Government guidelines on performance-related pay and instead adopt guidance issued by the National Union of Teachers and NASUWT, face being named as ‘failing’ by OFSTED, warns education law firm Winckworth Sherwood.


The warning came at a conference held by Winckworth Sherwood for 70 head teachers, school business and HR managers in May.


In an increasingly bitter dispute between the Government and teaching unions regarding the introduction of performance-related pay, the two main teaching unions have issued their own guidelines and are threatening strike action against those schools that side with the Government. Advice from the National Union of Teachers and NASUWT, which has been called a “substantial and serious attack” on the Government’s reforms, has also been labeled unlawful, leaving head teachers open to court action. James Lynas, a partner in the Education Law team at Winckworth Sherwood, warned delegates that whether or not the advice from the unions is unlawful, it would fall foul of OFSTED guidelines on assessing the quality of school leadership and management. He said: “OFSTED inspections focus on the quality of leadership and management. The use of pay grades to reward good teachers is part of their inspection routine and inspectors will want to see evidence of and policies relating to performance-related pay. Those schools that fail to satisfy inspectors face being downgraded – and that could ultimately mean head teachers losing their jobs.”


A survey of the conference delegates found that very few schools have yet decided upon or have policies in place relating to performance related pay. “This is of real concern,” says James. “Schools must have their policies agreed by September this year ready for the 2014 academic year. This means that they will have to consult with teachers, unions and governors before the end of this academic term and that is looking increasingly difficult. “That schools have not yet made progress is perhaps understandable given the position they find themselves in. The possibility of a damning OFSTED report should prove a powerful motivation.”


Brits choose images to aid learning I


t has been revealed by a recent survey that more than two thirds of Brits find learning tough subjects, such as the sciences, easier to understand when using both text and images as learning aids.


The survey by Science Photo Library also showed that only three per cent of respondents could easily understand and remember scientific theory using text alone – proving that more material is needed to gain an in-depth understanding of a subject. Only sixty-eight per cent of those most recently in education (16-24 year olds) knew what the word ‘particle’ meant. This figure is considerably lower than those aged 55+ – 92% of this age group answered the question correctly. This has reinforced the need for learning material relevant to the younger age groups – such as online and app-based resources.


The research coincides with the launch of Science Photo Library’s iPad, Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface app, The Particles. The app combines text, imagery and animation to help users learn about the interesting subject of particle physics in a new and exciting way. Physics professor, Frank Close, commented: “A picture is worth a thousand words: a cliché but true. I use images at all levels – in my physics research, in teaching undergraduates and also in public lectures. My motto is to first visualise the problem and only then try to start solving it.”


The Particles app for the Apple iPad, Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface has been developed by London based app developer Bappz Ltd. The app is available for £4.99 / US$7.99 / €5.99 on Apple iPad and £4.99 / US$6.99 / €5.99 on Windows 8 and Surface. Visit TheParticles.co.uk for more information.


20 per cent of students say they have mental health problems I


n recently conducted research, the National Union of Students has found that of 1,200 higher education students surveyed, 20 per cent consider themselves to have a mental health problem, while 13 per cent have suicidal thoughts.


92 per cent of respondents identified as having had feelings of mental distress, which often includes feeling down, stressed and demotivated. On average, respondents who experience feelings of mental distress experience them once a month or more (74 per cent), and almost one third suffered mental distress every week.


The main causes of this were found to be course work for 65 per cent of respondents. Exams and study were a cause for over half (54 per cent), with almost as many citing financial difficulty (47 per cent). NUS Disabled Students' Officer, Hannah Paterson said: “These stats are confirming what I have been hearing on campuses for some time. My primary concern is the fact that over a quarter of those surveyed did not tell anyone about their problems with a mere one in ten using care provided by their institution.


June 2013


We are currently meeting with mental health organisations in a bid to bring all stakeholders together to examine the standard of mental health care in UK universities and hope to make an announcement in the coming weeks on the shape this will take.”


Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, added: “Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems and stress among students, many people are not seeking help, perhaps because of the stigma that can surround mental health problems. “‘Higher education institutions need to ensure not just that services are in place to support mental wellbeing, but that they proactively create a culture of openness where students feel able to talk about their mental health and are aware of the support that’s available. Opening up to friends and family can help those feeling stressed or anxious, but anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or consistently feeling down may have an enduring mental health problem, so it’s best they visit their GP. Nobody should suffer alone.”


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