Management Information Sheet
Moving MRS Forward - Briefing sessions for Headteachers and Chair of Governors.
Headteacher update No.1 August / September 2009
Welcome to the first MRS Headteacher update.
MRS is moving into a new phase which has significant implications for the organisation and in particular for you as managers.
Over the next few months we will be sending you email updates alerting you to latest news, decisions, developments and FAQs as they arise. The aim is to help you to be fully prepared as we move towards implementing MRS. These emails should be shared with any Bursars or Business Managers who manage your support staff or who are involved in the MRS process and will supplement the MRS newsletters which will continue to provide you and all your staff with detailed information.
In July's MRS newsletter 22 we told you why we have reached an impasse with national UNISON and that Personnel Committee have given Anne Gibson, Head of HR and OD, a mandate to continue discussions with unions, but on the basis that if a collective agreement is not achieved all employees will be invited to agree individually to MRS changes to contracts of employment. If we have to implement MRS outside the usual means of collective bargaining you will need to be clear about what will happen and what everyone needs to do, in order to support your team and contribute to the successful implementation of MRS. This is especially important in schools as there are a number of legal issues that need to be addressed to ensure that correct procedures are followed.
Gearing you up
In addition to these email updates and MRS newsletters a full programme of Headteacher briefings is planned for September. These briefing sessions will provide:
It is important that you, your Chair of Governors and any Bursars or Business Managers who manage your support staff or who are involved in the MRS process make time to attend a session or send a colleague / representative if you can't make it. Also, please ensure that your team understands that you can take forward questions they'd like answered.
To book your place contact the MRS team at mrs@norfolk.gov.uk or call 01603 222921 and provide your name, preferred venue and time(where appropriate) and contact details including email address and telephone number.
Please note that if any session looks like it will have a very low attendance it may be cancelled - but if this is the case you will be contacted in advance and offered an alternative.
We are also planning to issue a Headteachers' Support Pack which will supplement the briefing sessions. Prior to the sessions you will receive a link to the Support Pack via email and the pack will be uploaded on to the 'Information for managers and headteachers' section at www.norfolk.gov.uk/mrs where it will be regularly updated.
Remember...
We are now in consultation with local trade union representatives, understanding that doing nothing is not an option. If we do have to ask for individual consent, we need to be fully prepared for it. There are FAQs on moving forward with MRS on our website www.norfolk.gov.uk/mrs which will be added to as they arise. You will be informed about latest news, decisions and developments via these email alerts - so look out for them!
We hope to see you and your Chair of Governors at a briefing session soon and remember to share this and future MRS headteacher update emails with any Bursars or Business Managers who manage your support staff or who are involved in the MRS process.
MRS Team
Welcome to the first MRS Headteacher update.
MRS is moving into a new phase which has significant implications for the organisation and in particular for you as managers.
Over the next few months we will be sending you email updates alerting you to latest news, decisions, developments and FAQs as they arise. The aim is to help you to be fully prepared as we move towards implementing MRS. These emails should be shared with any Bursars or Business Managers who manage your support staff or who are involved in the MRS process and will supplement the MRS newsletters which will continue to provide you and all your staff with detailed information.
In July's MRS newsletter 22 we told you why we have reached an impasse with national UNISON and that Personnel Committee have given Anne Gibson, Head of HR and OD, a mandate to continue discussions with unions, but on the basis that if a collective agreement is not achieved all employees will be invited to agree individually to MRS changes to contracts of employment. If we have to implement MRS outside the usual means of collective bargaining you will need to be clear about what will happen and what everyone needs to do, in order to support your team and contribute to the successful implementation of MRS. This is especially important in schools as there are a number of legal issues that need to be addressed to ensure that correct procedures are followed.
Gearing you up
In addition to these email updates and MRS newsletters a full programme of Headteacher briefings is planned for September. These briefing sessions will provide:
| further detail around the change of approach of implementing MRS | |
| information on what you are expected to do to support your team | |
| an opportunity for you to ask questions of your own or on behalf of your team |
It is important that you, your Chair of Governors and any Bursars or Business Managers who manage your support staff or who are involved in the MRS process make time to attend a session or send a colleague / representative if you can't make it. Also, please ensure that your team understands that you can take forward questions they'd like answered.
To book your place contact the MRS team at mrs@norfolk.gov.uk or call 01603 222921 and provide your name, preferred venue and time(where appropriate) and contact details including email address and telephone number.
| Venue | Date | Times |
| King's Lynn, PDC | 15 September 2009 | 12:00-2:00 2.30-4.30 |
| County Hall - Colman Room (if travelling by car, please use Harford Park and Ride A140 |
17 September 2009 | 12:00-2.00 |
| Swaffham, Ecotech Centre | 18 September 2009 | 12:00-2.00 2:30-4:30 |
| Carrow Road, Holiday Inn | 23 September 2009 | 12:00-2:00 2:30-4:30 |
| Thetford, Bell Hotel | 24 September 2009 | 12:00-2:00 2:30-4:30 |
| Great Yarmouth, The Imperial Hotel | 25 September 2009 | 12:00-2:00 |
Please note that if any session looks like it will have a very low attendance it may be cancelled - but if this is the case you will be contacted in advance and offered an alternative.
We are also planning to issue a Headteachers' Support Pack which will supplement the briefing sessions. Prior to the sessions you will receive a link to the Support Pack via email and the pack will be uploaded on to the 'Information for managers and headteachers' section at www.norfolk.gov.uk/mrs where it will be regularly updated.
Remember...
We are now in consultation with local trade union representatives, understanding that doing nothing is not an option. If we do have to ask for individual consent, we need to be fully prepared for it. There are FAQs on moving forward with MRS on our website www.norfolk.gov.uk/mrs which will be added to as they arise. You will be informed about latest news, decisions and developments via these email alerts - so look out for them!
We hope to see you and your Chair of Governors at a briefing session soon and remember to share this and future MRS headteacher update emails with any Bursars or Business Managers who manage your support staff or who are involved in the MRS process.
MRS Team