From Bob Hedley

Teaching & Learning Responsibility Payments (TLRPs)

You will be aware that the Government has decided to replace Management Allowances (current values are already frozen) with TLRPs. This change is linked with the National Agreement which introduced workforce reform with its specific link on refocusing teachers' efforts onto teaching and learning. All of the Teacher Unions except the NUT signed up to this change which has now become law. The effect of this is that Management Allowances will cease and all current recipients will lose their allowances by December 2008 at the latest. Although those signatories to the change have made it clear that there is no direct link with management allowances, each school has to devise a new structure by 31st December, 2005 within which TLRPs could be included.

Governors via the Headteacher are charged with the responsibility of implementing this major and far-reaching reform. The timetable for consultation is very short but the DfES has just issued detailed guidance for Headteachers, Governors and Union Representatives.

The outcome is that Headteachers will be obliged to consult with teaching and support staff colleagues and Governors between now and the early Autumn about the new arrangements and how they will affect your school.

After the period of consultation and ratification by the Governors, Headteachers are required to publish the following by 31st December, 2005:

• A new structure for both teaching and support staff taking into account the legislation.
• The rationale behind the new structure and a timescale for its implementation. This can be from between 1st January, 2006 and 31st December, 2008.
• A revised salary policy.
• Letters to individual colleagues who will have been affected by the change by 31st January, 2006. These letters will highlight the changes as they affect that person.

As a result of the tight timescale, it is likely that Headteachers and their senior colleagues will be under significant pressure and I am asking Children's Services HR Consultants and the Norfolk Remodelling Team to support schools' leadership teams in the coming months. Equally, from our discussions with the Teacher and Support staff unions, I am aware that they will give their members every possible assistance.