Dear Colleague,

 

RAISING STANDARDS AND TACKLING WORKLOAD

 

I am writing to let you know the general position on this National initiative, how far we have progressed in Norfolk and to give schools the best advice that we can at this time.

 

Colleagues will know the difficulties of implementing this initiative with the financial position during this year and the short timescales.  I would only reiterate that the County Council has passed on to schools all the finance that it could and that we have taken every opportunity to press the Government for more finance to implement this initiative.  Some success has been achieved but I know that schools have continuing problems.

 

These problems and the need to commence implementing this initiative from September 2003 have been discussed thoroughly at separate consultation groups with Governors, Primary Headteachers, Secondary Headteachers, the JCC Teachers’ Panel (including the NUT in Norfolk) and Unison.  This initiative has featured also at the Director’s Area Headteachers meetings which have been held throughout the county and, in addition, in this term’s RDA visits.  It is the intention that the dialogue between Headteachers and RDAs will continue.

 

I need to report that all parties acknowledge the problems but there is widespread support for tackling workload on a long term basis providing that the initial stages are implemented in individual schools from September 2003 onwards, taking account of the position and difficulties of many schools.    However, at the very least all schools should ensure that:

 

-        all staff are made fully aware of this initiative;

 

-        planning should commence to carry out the initial tasks for 2003/04 academic year;

 

-        by the use of existing or specially set up communication channels, the initiative at school level is developed and managed, involving the Governors, Headteacher and staff (teaching and non-teaching).

 

Tasks for 2003/04

 

The tasks that need to be planned for and implemented in 2003/04 according to the agreements are set out in the enclosed Appendix, which summarises the current position in Norfolk and our interim advice.  Please be assured that the County Council is looking to strengthen its support to schools to back-up this initiative.  If you have any immediate queries, please contact Bob Hedley, Personnel Manager, on 01603 222418 or via e-mail: bob.hedley@norfolk.gov.uk OR Ray Philpott, Senior Personnel Consultant, on 01508 558821 or via e-mail: ray.philpott@norfolk.gov.uk.

 


Yours sincerely,

Bryan Slater

Director of Education

 

 

Appendix

 

RAISING STANDARDS AND TACKLING WORKLOAD

 

 

1.   TASKS FOR 2003/04

 

A.  Ensuring that the documents finally received from National and County Council sources are received, communicated and understood.  This will include the:

 

a)     “Time for Standards” National Agreement between DfES, National Employers, NASUWT, ATL, PAT, NAHT, SHA, Unison, GMB and TGWU.  This should already be in all schools.  The NUT are not signatories to this Agreement but wish to be constructively involved in all County Council and school planning/consultation groups;

 

b)     National Agreement between National Employers and the Support Staff trade unions: Unison, GMB and TGWU.  Drafts have been received by the County Council but no final agreement has been received at National level.  This will cover job descriptions and grades of support staff, training and development and fixed term contracts;

 

c)      Consideration of any statutory documents, including revised contractual duties for teachers as part of the new School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document 2003 and the associated advice.  The final drafts on this are being consulted on at this time at National level;

 

d)     Detailed advice from the County Council on the implementation of the Agreement.  We hope to send this early in the Autumn Term;

 

e)     As part of the advice at (d), recommended revised job specifications and grading structures for support staff.

 

B.  Routine delegation of 24 non-teaching tasks:

 

These tasks are attached at the Annex to this Appendix.  Discussions with consultation groups in Norfolk have shown that this delegation has or should be achieved smoothly in many schools.  All parties have agreed to work together during this change, but managers must recognise that from September these tasks will not be included in teacher contracts.  Accordingly, any individual teacher will have the right to refuse to routinely undertake these tasks and there should be no pressure on individual teachers to continue any of the 24 tasks because they or a majority agree to do so.  Where there are difficulties, these  may be resolved initially by discussion at school level with any remaining major problems being referred to the school’s RDA and Personnel Consultant by the Headteacher and to the professional association of the individual concerned.  Further detailed advice will be sent to schools in Norfolk for the beginning of the Autumn Term.  However, basic routine clerical and administrative tasks should not be added to the role of Leadership Team members as a consequence of this delegation.

 

C.  Promoting reductions in overall excessive hours:

 

Consideration should be given to develop mechanisms for keeping records of working hours of teaching staff.  Advice will be given on this but the aim is for individuals to develop simple systems, not complicated time management processes, as exist in some organisations.

 

Working hours will, of course, be reviewed by all schools as and when schools plan their work for budgeting and curriculum purposes.  The need for reductions in overall excessive hours should be a constant feature of this from September 2003 onwards.

 

The existence of a school consultation and planning team(s) will help with this process.  As the programme develops over several years this team(s) should develop a monitoring role on this and the progress of the initiative.

 

D.  Work/life Balance:

 

From September 2003 onwards:

 

-        Governors will have a statutory duty to have consideration of the work/life balance of Headteachers;

 

-        Headteachers will have a similar statutory duty for their staff.

 

Any further initiatives which emerge, either locally or nationally, will no doubt build on the support that many schools in Norfolk have already from the        Well-Being Programme.  The implementation of recommendations schools have developed by using the Programme’s methodology and by attending briefings and training sessions will be compatible with this requirement.  All schools are encouraged to apply to join the scheme as soon as possible.  Further advice on this and immediate issues schools can look at will be sent to schools early in the Autumn Term.

 

E.  Introducing leadership and management time for all affected teaching staff

 

This needs to be introduced as soon as possible taking account of the circumstances of schools, although, many schools have already made considerable progress. 

 

2.   TASKS FOR 2004/05 AND 2005/06

 

a)     New limits for covering for absent teachers will be introduced in 2004/05.  It is important that these changes are considered as they are promulgated, with any further advice, whether from National or Norfolk sources.

 

b)     The introduction of guaranteed time for planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) will take place in 2005.  Dedicated Headship time and new invigilation arrangements will also be introduced at this time.

 

Annex to Appendix

 

Extract from the National Agreement:

“Raising Standards and Tackling Workload”

 

24 Mainly administrative and clerical tasks

 

 

“Teachers should have support so that they can focus on teaching and learning and expect administrative and clerical processing to be done by support staff.  Consequently, teachers should not routinely be required to undertake administrative and clerical tasks, including:”