NUT: Bullies’ charter “will only serve to de-motivate staff”
New Performance, Management and Capability Procedures
Commenting after the debate on Motion 15, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers? union, said;
?The Government?s new approach to appraisal and capability procedures in England is potentially a bully?s charter. These new arrangements will only serve to de-motivate staff and will gradually make teaching a less attractive profession.
?Appraisal should be a positive experience: the purpose is to support and encourage professional development. Of course issues may arise from people?s performance and these may need to be addressed using capability procedures but these serve a completely different purpose and should be separate from the appraisal process. The NUT, ATL, NAHT and ASCL have agreed a statement of basic principles of a fair and supportive appraisal process which we are commending to all schools.
?The removal of the ?three hour observation? rule is extremely worrying. Observations of teaching should be part of a programme intended to support teachers? professional development. Over burdensome observation will not help any teacher. What it will certainly do is increase stress levels and workload. No other profession would accept this level of scrutiny and mistrust. Teaching is about getting the very best from every learner in every lesson. It isn?t about ?performing for observers?.?
END pr41-2012
For further details contact Caroline Cowie on 0207 380 4706 or 07879480061
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