Firm commitment that teachers' jobs are safe

Wednesday 10 July 2019

Education's written assurance that every current secondary school teacher will be offered a position in the new school system has been welcomed by a union rep - however concerns remain over a lack of detail in a number of "key areas".

NASUWT's Acting General Secretary Chris Keates welcomed many of Education's proposals, but expressed disappointment over the timing of their publication and the absence of actual detail when its comes to staffing models and school structures.

Education released its proposals for the future of secondary and post-16 education last week, in which the Committee formalised publicly its commitment to current teaching staff.

"A firm commitment has been made to teachers that there will be a teaching post available in the new school for all current secondary school teachers who wish to have one," Education said. "Outline information on how staff might be organised in the new model has been shared with teachers across the secondary schools and professional association representatives.

Liz Coffey, Kieren James and Vicky Godley have already been appointed to senior positions in the new 11-18 school structure. Ms Coffey will be the Executive Headteacher and Mr James and Ms Godley will be Designate Principals. 

"Over the coming months and years of the transition, posts in the new school will be filled starting with leadership positions. The Office of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture has started discussions with the professional associations in relation to how consultation and negotiation will form the basis of an agreed transition/assimilation process, which will include transition arrangements and protections.

"Teachers’ personal preferences will clearly bepart of this process as will ensuring continuity for students, particularly where external examinations are a consideration, and ensuring a balance of specialist teachers across the two colleges where necessary.

"Support staff in schools will be similarly supported through the transition period following a process agreed with their union representatives."

Ms Keates said NASUWT was supportive of many of Education's proposals.

“The firm undertaking that the transformation process will not result in compulsory redundancies is particularly welcome, as are assurances that consultation on the proposals will continue after the debate and feedback," she said. 

Ms Keates, pictured here from a video from TES News, said the union looks forward to engaging with Education over their proposals. 

“There are proposals that impact on terms and conditions for teachers, and the NASUWT welcomes the explicit statement that these will require negotiation, and thus the agreement, of the NASUWT for them to be put in place."

However, in other areas the union believes that its members have been given insufficient information.

“The NASUWT is disappointed around the lack of details in key areas, particularly around the staffing models and structures for the two colleges, and safeguarding arrangements for other teachers who may be displaced from management positions," she said. 

“The Union is also disappointed that the delays to the publication of the Policy Letter means it has been released with only two weeks of the school term remaining. With the debate currently scheduled for early September, the school holidays impact severely on the NASUWT’s ability to meaningfully consult with members.

“The NASUWT is aware that members already have concerns over some of the proposals, particularly around the school estate and curriculum, and the lack of opportunity for engagement with members over the policy letter is likely to intensify these concerns.”