1. education

Frontline
A termly bulletin from the
Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL)
Autumn 2007
What’s inside
Workload survey page
ATL at Bournemouth
Private Finance in
schools & Policy
Teaching allowance
update
Teacher Professionalism
ATL at the Assembly
Teachers Rights/Pay
Scales
OBITUARY
TOMMY HOOKS
Born 1926 –
Died 15/05/2007
In teaching circles Tommy
Hooks became something of
a legend in his lifetime. He
was one of the founder
members of the Northern
Ireland Branch of the
Assistant Masters’
Association - the AMA. The
AMA and its kindred, but
separate, Association of
Assistant Mistresses - AAM were specifically set up to
represent and voice the
interests of practising
teachers and were not
sounding boards for the
concerns of Principals and
Heads.
Continued on Page 3
www.atl.org.uk/ni
Teachers’ Rights
Wo r k lo ad Su r vey – t e ac he r s t o p t h e un pai d o ve r t i m e L ea g u e!
Hundreds of teacher union members from
ATL, NASUWT and INTO responded to
the Irish News survey (16 July) on teacher
workload. The survey estimated that:
high stakes commodity means more direct
pressure on teachers from school
managements, governors and parents
alike.”
• Teachers were often working 50 hours
a week or more, with instances of
some teachers working over 70 hours!
• Teachers, on average, could be
working more than £10,000 of unpaid
overtime a year.
• 80% said that the quality of their
teaching was adversely affected by
workload
• Over a third reported that they had
suffered from work related depression
• Over two thirds had suffered from work
related insomnia.
Some quotes from teachers:
Mark Langhammer of ATL commented:
“Teaching is an emotionally draining
profession and our casework load
regularly bulges with instances of teachers
under stress and suffering from relentless
work pressures. That education has
become a test driven, results focused, and
The job is now so physically and mentally
tiring, so complex and diverse, that there are
not enough hours in a reasonable working
day to do it properly.
Admin tasks and time for such is having a
serious detrimental effect on the quality of
teaching and learning.
I hate Sunday nights in particular because I
find it so hard to sleep. I am going over
everything I have to do in my mind the next
week in school. I often dream about school
related things.
Teacher workload is excessive compared to
other professions. Constant changes to the
system, new specifications, new exam
structures, all lead to extra stress.
ATL BRANCH MEETING
Training Teachers for the Dole?
A discussion on teacher employment, with key
speakers on 7 November at 7.00pm at Belmont
Tower, 82 Belmont Church Road, Belfast BT4 3FG
Please note this date in your diary.
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FROM THE DIRECTOR:
Welco m e to th e A utu m n /Winte r Edition o f Fro ntline .
In th is edition , w e h ave do ne o u r bes t to give
m e m ber s a fla vo ur o f th e ac tivities o f th e No r the r n
I r e l a n d Br a n c h in t h e p a s t m o n t h s .
Since the last edition, ATL has been very active in lobbying. The Minister, Caitríona Ruane spoke at the Branch AGM.
Sacha Hamilton, Duchess Abercorn delivered a fascinating ATL Lecture. We have given evidence to the Assembly on the
Review of Administration, on the Bain Report and on the controversial issue of Post Primary Admissions. We have given
evidence to the Audit Office on the damaging effects of Private Finance to teacher professionalism.
We are offering more to members by way of services, training, casework and legal support than ever. It’s a busy time for ATL,
so don’t be shy about contributing to the work of our Association. Get active, and you’ll be very much at the heart of things!
Andy Brown
BRANCH
CARDS
Inside this edition of Frontline is
your Branch card, setting out
details of all key Branch meeting
dates for 2007-08.
Please mark relevant key dates
in your diary.
ATL at Bournemouth
The Northern Ireland Branch resolution to the ATL annual conference in
Bournemouth provoked considerable debate, and was passed unanimously.
The motion was proposed by Andrew Brown (Ballymena Academy) and
seconded by John Pollock (Our Lady and St Patrick’s Knock) and called for more
resources to be devoted to training for teachers, resources and funding to tackle
the challenges presented by increased numbers of pupils for whom English is not
their first language.
In a passionate speech, Andy Brown (pictured), welcomed the new Ethnic
Minority Advisory Service, drew attention to recent ICTU research on migrant
workers and noted the contribution being made to the economy and society by
new peoples. Mr Brown also noted: “We sit here as trade unionists secure in the
influence of the movement, yet many of those who seek a better life here are
subject to the vagaries of unscrupulous bosses and gang-masters, who seem to
have forgotten what Wilberforce achieved 200 years ago.”
The full text of Andy Brown’s speech is available from tdevenney@atl.org.uk
2
www.atl.org.uk/ni
Continued from page 1
The AMA, London based, was to
metamorphose into the Assistant
Masters and Mistresses Association AMMA - and then into the more aptly
named Association of Teachers and
Lecturers - ATL.
The rounder members of the N.I.
Branch were bringing to Northern
Ireland a national association with
European and international affiliations
and a broader view of education than
that available to the average Ulster
teacher. The national General
Secretary of AMA for many of the early
years was A.W.S.Hutchings, formerly
of Methodist College Belfast and thus
conversant with the pattern of
education here.
The Branch was then numerically
strongly Belfast based - with almost
the entire male staff of establishments
like Belfast Royal Academy, the Royal
Belfast Academical Institution and
Methodist College - a membership
largely drawn from the Voluntary
Grammar School sector. There were
AMA pockets elsewhere - notably
Ballyclare, where Tommy Hooks was
for a time School Correspondent,
Ballymcna, Coleraine and North Down
where Tommy was to serve out his
career as Vice Principal of Sullivan
Upper School.
In those days Branch Committee
meetings were held after school hours
in the Board Room of R.B.A.I. and
later in M.C.B.. For support in its local
work the Branch had to rely upon a
part-time typist and commercial mailshot firm - with back -up in times of
need from London headquarters’ staff.
The N.I. AMA and AAM Executive
members were responsible for local
negotiations, through the Northern
Ireland Teachers’ Council, on the
statutory Salaries and Conditions of
Service Committee. AMA N.I.
Executive members drew on expertise
derived from attending London
Executive and the Salaries and
Pensions sub-committee there, as well
as from frequent contact with
headquarters’ staff. Tommy Hooks
served as Executive member, bringing
to such negotiations a distinctive
insight into the Ulster psyche. That
insight was also of considerable help
to headquarters in gauging the mood
of what could be a rather volatile
Branch.
When the time came for the
amalgamation of AMA and AAM
nationally, the Northern Ireland
Branches of AMA and AAM had to
follow suit The good relationships that
Tommy Hooks had established with
Committee and Executive members of
AAM facilitated the amalgamation ,
and ensured that the process moved
smoothly, allaying fears of dilution and
absorption, through a good humoured sharing of office bearing
responsibilities within AMMA. Tommy
Hooks, significantly, was the only
History Teachers - and Values in Education
Alan McClure has provided ATL members with a report on
a talk given by Professor Richard Pring, at Blackwell’s,
Oxford, to History’ teachers undertaking a professional
development course.
Professor Pring was Director of Education Studies in Oxford
until 2003. and is now Director of the Nuffield Review of 14-19
Education and Training in England and Wales. He asked the
above question. ‘What are our aims and values in education?’
www.atl.org.uk/ni
Northern Ireland member who held the
chair of the AMA Branch and later that
of AMMA (N.I.) and who also served
on the National Executive of both
organisations.
At AMA and later AMMA annual
national assemblies Tommy Hooks
kept the Northern Ireland
representatives entertained and
amused often into the late hours. He
was a good ambassador for Northern
Ireland but there were language
difficulties; a story he told against
himself. On a journey home from
Assembly Tommy engaged a female
fellow representative in conversation
and was reported for asking her how
she had enjoyed “ the craic”.
In April 2005 it was appropriate that
Tommy joined Mary Bousted, ATL
General Secretary, in opening the new
Belfast Office at the Gas Works as
ATL’s longest standing member. ATL
membership in Northern Ireland had
grown sufficiently to embrace all
sectors in education - including Further
Education, and warranted a fullystaffed office and full-time local official.
Tommy had made his contribution to
that growth.
Tommy will be remembered in the life
of the Association , and beyond, not
only for his hard work, example,
dedication, his shrewd negotiating
skills but also for his well-rounded
personality with its rich vein of selfdeprecating, wry Ulster humour and a
rare common sense that lit up many a
fraught situation. Tommy truly enriched
the lives of those who met and worked
with him, He is survived by his wife
Patricia and 2 daughters Cathy and
Suzanne.
Nowadays we speak of ‘stretching’ our pupils, and rarely use
the words ‘robust’ and ‘rigorous’. In 1963, there was the
Schools Council, and in 1967 there was the Plowden Report
on the future of primary education. Nowadays, Ruth Kelly, the
Education Minister, speaks of children ‘realising their potential’.
What moral attributes do we want our young people to have?
For a copy of Alan McClure’s full report please contact
Theresa Devenney 028 9032 7990 or email
tdevenney@atl.org.uk
3
POLICY
UPDATE
AT L at t he A s s e m bly –
ATL, represented by Andy Brown
(Ballymena Academy), Julie Thomas
(Sydenham Infants) and staff Director
Mark Langhammer, made a full
presentation to the Northern Ireland
Assembly on issues ranging from
school estate, the school buildings
handbook, the use of PFI (Private
Finance Initiative), the discrepancy
between primary and secondary level
funding.
Branch Committee member, Julie
Thomas commented “The sheer
amount of time that the new build
process drains from senior staff in the
planning phase is wasteful. The
Department’s Buildings Handbook is
particularly inflexible. This “time drain”
continues afterwards into the facility
management phase when teachers’
time is wasted in negotiations, battling
and haggling on the use of facilities –
what is and isn’t provided for
contractually, and what is costed as
additional. The new build process,
and particularly the use of PFI need
urgent review.”
Commenting on Transfer
arrangements, Andy Brown, ATL
Executive member and Head of
Drama at Ballymena Academy
commented:
ATL write to
Audit Office:
ATL have also written to the Northern
Ireland Audit office as part of the
investigation into the use of Private
Finance in schools. Concerned about
the effects of PFI procurement on
teacher professionalism, ATL’s
submission highlighted the pitfalls of
growing “marketisation”
4
Andy Brown, Julie Thomas at Stormont
“We are now in “political time”. ATL
has not supported any detailed
admissions criteria at 11, as we are
convinced that this misses the point.
Age 10 or 11 is too young to make
life shaping decisions. Parents face a
very “high stakes” choice. If critical
educational pathways are to be
decided at 14 or 16, logically then,
we need transfer mechanisms at 14
(or 16), as well as greater fluidity
between schools. We broadly
support transfer to “middle” or
“Junior High” schools at 11, with key
decisions taken at 14 or 16.
ATL have also been busy on the policy
front on other issues, as follows:
• ATL writes to Education
Committee on the “teacher
exclusion” from Fair
Employment Regulations
• ATL writes to Minister on
Pension Portability, North and
South
• ATL responds to CCEA call on
inCAS and pupil profiling
Assessment for
Learning
ATL Branch Committee member,
Sandra E Douglas of Victoria
Primary School has completed
research into “Assessment for
Learning (AfL)” under a General
Teaching Council bursary award
scheme. The full report of Sandra’s
work is at www.gtcni.org.uk/or is
available directly from Sandra at
sed48@hotmail.com
Mobile 07981 536470
• ATL responds to CCEA
consultation on “coursework
authentication”
• ATL responds to CCEA
consultation on GCSE
• ATL hosts seminar with
NASUWT on Social Partnership
• ATL briefing on Social
Partnership by Dr Mary
Bousted
For full ATL views on these policy
submissions contact
mlanghammer@atl.org.uk
www.atl.org.uk/ni
Help with Lesson Planning R e n e w a bl e E n e r g y E du c a t i o n pr o g r a m m e
The Action Renewables group has now extended its education programme to include post primary schools. The free
programme, linked to the curriculum, seeks to increase awareness of renewable energy and climate change amongst school
children with a wide range of subject choices on wind and solar power, and fossil fuel damage. Teachers can download free
worksheets, games, activities and lesson plans from www.wiseuptorenewables.com
Further information from education@actionrenewables.org or Telephone 028 90737862 (Primary Education Officer) or Tel
028 90737863 (Post Primary Education Officer)
Action Renewables are based at the Innovation Centre, NI Science Park, Queens Road, Belfast BT3 9DT Web:
www.actionrenewables.org or E-Mail: andy.mccrea@actionrenewables.co.uk
NQT Student
attends ATL
Annual Conference
– Paula Drummond
“As a result of winning a competition
in Report magazine in January, over
the Easter holidays I found myself in
the beautiful seaside town of
Bournemouth as one of just ten
student and NQT members picked to
attend ATL’s annual Conference. This
was my first experience of attending a
teaching union conference and other
than knowing that it was where policy
resolutions were set for the coming
year, I really didn’t know what to
expect.
I soon discovered however that
Conference was so much more, from
fascinating and often heated debates,
the chance to be a part of a vibrant
community of members with a
passionate interest in education to
workshops on subjects as diverse as
student debt, assertiveness and voice
care and above all, the chance to
mingle with like-minded people.
Finding out how the union works and
being involved in developing
education policies, policies that can
make a real difference for the future,
were of particular interest and while
many of the speakers were from
English and Scottish branches, our
own branch was also strongly
represented in many debates.
www.atl.org.uk/ni
Paula Drummond
The issues discussed, from cyber
bullying to work-life balance, were
applicable to all teachers regardless of
where they lived and worked and many
were especially relevant to new entrants
to the profession such as me. Motions
which were passed at Conference
covered working conditions, pupil
indiscipline, special education, pay,
performance management and class
sizes among others and there was also
a very interesting speech from Alan
Johnson, the Secretary of State for
Education and Skills.
for the Conference dinner on the final
evening. The friendliness of the other
student and NQT members and the
superb hospitality shown to us all by
ATL combined to ensure that this was
a very enjoyable and productive way
to spend part of the Easter break.
Attending Conference proved to be
an unforgettable experience and one
which I know will prove useful in my
future teaching career. A big thank
you to everyone involved!”
Paula Drummond is an ATL Student
on placement at Coleraine
While the days were taken up with
debates and workshops, the evenings
were filled with receptions,
entertainment and networking,
including a chance to get dressed up
5
NEW CASEWORK
OFFICER
ATL have appointed Alastair
Donaghy as our new Casework
and Organising officer. Alastair
has worked in the Inland Revenue and has
extensive experience with the public services
union, PCS, where he has served on the UK
Executive. Alastair is at adonaghy@atl.org.uk
07918 741046 or 028 90328119
ATL Course
Supporting Classroom Assistants
This half day ATL course, aimed at Classroom
Assistants and Teachers who work with Classroom
Assistants will be run by Carol Walters, subject to
demand, on Weds, 15 February 2008
Applying for Jobs
Wednesday 21/11/07, 7.00pm~9.00pm. ATL Offices
Application & interview techniques aimed at ATL
members seeking full time positions.
Teacher
Professionalism:
ATL continues to promote Teacher Professionalism (see
ATL policy on “New Professionalism at www.atl.org.uk ).
In an article in the Irish News (2 July 2007) Director,
Mark Langhammer sets out the worrying trends in loss
of professional autonomy recorded in the Work Skills
1986-2006 survey
6
Coping with Stress in the
Workplace
Friday 30/11/07, 10.00am~3.00pm. ATL Offices
For any ATL member or rep
Places for the above courses are limited – book early –
first 12 confirmed. Register with tdevenney@atl.org.uk
www.atl.org.uk/ni
Dr Theo Laverty, ATL Branch President
2005-07 hands over the chain of office
to Andy Brown
ANDY BROWN
GOODBYE
We said farewell to
Fionnuala Devlin in June.
Fionnuala joined ATL in
January 2006 on a
temporary basis and from
August 2006 was appointed
Organiser/Caseworker for
Northern Ireland on a
permanent basis. Fionnuala
is taking new opportunities
that will facilitate her finishing
her PhD and we wish her all
the best with that.
www.atl.org.uk/ni
Newly elected Northern Ireland Branch President, Andy Brown (Ballymena
Academy) is keen to visit ATL members in school. Andy combines years of
classroom and managerial experience with a wealth of trade union acumen
gained over many years on the ATL National Executive and as a key negotiator
on terms of service.
Mr Brown said,
“I’m delighted and honoured to have been elected to serve
our Members as their President. I believe passionately in the
work of ATL and of the trade union movement. These are
exciting and controversial times in the Northern Ireland
education system, and I hope that those of us entrusted with
representing the views of our Members will do so in a way
that retains what is good, whilst not being afraid to embrace
new thinking and challenges.”
Why not invite Andy to your school to meet with ATL members.
Contact 07943 806664
7
Pictured above: Stuart Herdson,
ATL President; Duchess of Abercorn; Caitríona Ruane, Minister of
Education; Dr. Theo Laverty, NI President; Dr. Mary Bousted,
General Secretary; Mark Langhammer
ATL Annual Lecture
T h e A nn u al
Ge n e r a l M e e t i n g
h el d i n t he
We l li ng t o n Pa r k
Ho tel w as an
a u s pi c i o u s e v e n t
f o r AT L’s No r t he r n
I re la nd Br a n c h .
Theo Laverty opened the AGM with a
wide ranging speech outlining the
range of educational changes which
ATL had responded to over the past
year. The Bain Review, the new
curriculum, the institution of the new
devolved government, the phase out of
the 11+ and more. Dr Laverty drew
attention to the important seminar that
ATL had brokered – “Breaking the
Deadlock” aimed at seeking the
common ground in a n increasingly
trenchant debate on Post Primary
transfer.
On a sadder note, Dr Laverty noted
with regret the death of former Branch
President, Tommy Hooks. He paid
tribute to the work of Tommy Hooks
on the Northern Ireland Teachers
Council and on ATL’s national
Executive.
8
In a warmly received address, ATL
President, Stuart Herdson spoke
passionately and with typical Yorkshire
candour and humour about his year
at the helm and counseled the Branch
on the ongoing difficulties being
experienced within the Northern
Ireland negotiating machinery.
PQH
From a full agenda, the main debate
on motions centred on the a motion
calling for the Government to
establish the PQH qualification as an
essential criterion in recruiting
Principal posts in grant maintained
schools.
Colin Kinney, proposing, commented:
“Northern Ireland introduced PQH in
1999 and, so far, just short of 1000
teachers have gained the qualification.
The move towards a mandatory PQH
is aimed at improving professional
development for school leaders and
to raise standards of teaching and
www.atl.org.uk/ni
learning. By making the PQH
mandatory we would be establishing
a charter mark against which to be
measured.”
Sandra E Douglas, seconding, noted
the “…research has shown that
leadership is second only to teaching
in its impact on pupil learning. The
importance of quality leadership in
raising standards is often voiced,
most recently by the Chief Inspector.
Holding a PQH validates the holder
regarding their skills and aptitudes for
principal positions just as a teaching
qualification validates a teachers’
ability to teach.”
John Pollock urged caution, saying
that the route to a PQH was through
the discretion of the existing Principal,
it was not a route open to all
The first thing to say is that PQHNI is
an excellent qualification, giving insight
into the whole world of school
management and leadership. However,
from a teacher’s point of view, PQH is
www.atl.org.uk/ni
“continuing professional development”
and this is not currently available to
every teacher. Instead the decision
whether a teacher is enrolled on PQH
rests with the teacher’s Head teacher.
A teacher’s CPD is too important to be
in the hands of someone else.
The Motion was passed.
The ATL Lecture
The ATL annual lecture by Sacha
Hamilton, the Duchess Abercorn –
founder of the Pushkin awards, was
well received. The full text of the
lecture is at www.atl.org.uk/ni
The new Minister for Education,
Caitríona Ruane set out her priorities
for her “term” ahead.
General Secretary’s
Speech - Modern Trade
Unionism
Following a slide presentation by ATL
Director, Mark Langhammer on
“Education in Venezuela”, ATL
General Secretary, Dr Mary Bousted
gave a thoughtful and wide ranging
address on “Modern Trade Unionism”
This speech raised issues of critical
concern not just in respect of
teachers but in relation to industrial
democracy, school governance and
promoting positive progressive trade
unionism. Copies of Dr Bousted’s
speech to the AGM are available from
mlanghammer@atl.org.uk
Caitríona Ruane commented:” Equality
must be the cornerstone of our
education system and equality will be
my guiding principle during my term as
Minister for Education. We must pool
our expertise to help create an
education system where every school
is a good school and children leave the
education system creative, confident
and articulate – ready to face higher
education or the world of work.”
9
Online Autumn Courses 2007
HELPING ALL CHILDREN TO FULFIL THEIR POTENTIAL
Select from a comprehensive suite of 8 specialised courses unique in their cotent and practical
in their application that address the real life problems faced in today’s inclusive Classroom.
Applied Behaviour Analysis • Inclusion • Understanding Autism
Dyslexia • Supporting and Managing Student Behavour
Teaching Troubled Children • ADHD
W
• Teaching Gifted and Talented Students NE
EW
• Differentiated Instruction for Inclusion N
• Technology in an Inclusive Classroom
GAIN EFFECTIVE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE
RESERVE YOUR PLACE NOW FOR ICEP’S AUTUMN PROGRAMME
Thomas Devlin Fund
and Bursary Award
The Thomas Devlin Fund was set up in memory
of 15 year old Thomas Devlin who was murdered
in an unprovoked knife attack close to his home
in North Belfast. The Fund’s Patron, Eamon
Holmes will be hosting a Gala Dinner, and 1st
Bursary Award on Friday 12th October 2007 at a
“black tie” dinner at the Europa Hotel. The first
Bursary Awards will be for 14-19 year old young
people involved in music.
To donate to the Thomas Devlin Bursary, or to
attend the Gala Dinner (£65 a head) please
contact Thomas’s mother and Fund Trustee,
Penny Holloway at 028900779120, 07808
738522 or e-mail pennyjholloway@btinternet.com
Penny Holloway is well known to the teachers
unions, having been of great assistance in
employment law matters over the years in her role
with the Labour Relations Agency. Please donate
generously.
10
Take the Britannia
mortgage challenge.
Great fixed rate offers and £150.00
back on completion of your mortgage
for ATL members.
Britannia Building Society is approved by ATL
as it has no share holders and profits are shared
with its members. For more information
contact:
Paddy Milligan
Area Affinity Developer,
07912 313685
e-mail paddy.milligan@brittania.co.uk
www.atl.org.uk/ni
Free Open University
Courses
ATL members can now benefit from free Open University courses (including
free study materials and resources), through the “Openings” programme. The
Irish Congress of Trade Unions (of which ATL is part) has developed a
partnership with the “OU” to provide a range of accredited taster courses.
Aimed at those who have not studied for some time, the 20 week programmes
include:
•
•
•
•
Understanding Management
Understanding Psychology
Introducing Environment
Understanding Children
•
•
•
•
Understanding Sport online (from March 2008)
Understanding Health
Making sense of the Arts
Understanding Society
For more information or to register, please contact Pauline Collins (Open University) at P.A.Collins@open.ac.uk
Tel: 028 71266434
Global
Education
ATL is supporting Education
Action's £25 challenge. The
campaign challenges
teachers and students to
learn bout life in Sudan and to
use their creativity in raising
just £25 each - the cost of
sending a child in Sudan to
school for a whole year.
It would be great if you could
encourage as many people as
possible to get involved in the
initiative, lore information can
be found on the ATL website
or at www.educationaction.org/25challenge.
www.atl.org.uk/ni
Ever wondered how to bring development issues into the
classroom? Well here it is. The £25 Challenge!
Take on the £25 Challenge and your students will get to leam about life in Sudan as
well as supporting young people like themselves by raising just £25 - the cost of
sending a child in Sudan to school for a whole year.
The £25 Challenge is also a great way to cover core themes like citizenship and
geography, or simply to bring an international element into your teaching -whatever
the subject. Use the free teaching resource pack, including lesson plans, a video and
more, to liven up your lessons!
Find out more by visiting the Education Action website or call us on 020 7426 5802 if
you are ready to cake on the £25 Challenge!
11
TEACHING ALLOWANCES
UPDATE
Since the implementation of Teaching
Allowance system, ATL members in
some schools are experiencing
problems. Some school Principals,
seeking to restructure staff to focus
on teaching and learning, as well as
to cope with the needs of the new
curriculum. The problem for
Principals is that, in order to “focus on
teaching and learning” they need to
persuade, cajole, pressurize or bully
those on current allowances to
change their duties.
ATL opposed the introduction of
Teaching Allowances because this
was entirely predictable. Without new
classroom assistants and support
staff to take up the slack, teachers
could not slough off routine and
administrative tasks.
ATL remains in dispute about the
validity of teaching allowances and are
proceeding with legal action to reopen negotiations. Are there problems
in your school?
SAVINGS TO TEACHERS
THRU’ CHILDCARE
VOUCHERS
Significant savings of up to £2000 per
annum can accrue to teachers
through a new system of Childcare
Vouchers. The voucher system is
being phased in, allowing teachers
with children in recognised childcare
(private daycare or registered
childminders) to save tax on salary
deductions in respect of childcare.
The scheme is operated on behalf of
Education Employers by Employers for
Childcare, Free Phone 0800 0283008,
www.employersforchildcare.org All
relevant forms are online.
ADDED YEARS
At the time of writing it is anticipated
that “added years” will be available for
any voluntary redundancy notified
before 31 March 2008. Do not hesitate
to advise our members or to call ATL
for advice on any redundancy query at
028 9032 7990.
School Amalgamations
MATERNITY, PATERNITY &
ADOPTIVE LEAVE
The Work & Families (NI) Order
introduce changes to the statutory
Maternity, Paternity and Adoptive
provisions. For further details contact
adonaghy@atl.org.uk
Full further details in the Department
for Employment & Learning booklet
ER35 “Adoptive Parents: a guide for
employers and employees – see
www.delni.gov.uk
Threshold Applications
Teachers aiming to move from the
main pay scale (M6) to Upper Pay
Scale (UPS1) will now be required to
fill in an application form.
ATL, with other teachers unions,
made the case that no application
process should be required, as this
substantially replicates evidence set
out within Performance Review & Staff
Development (PRSD) process.
Nonetheless, the Guidance Handbook
and application forms are available for
ATL members from
tdevenney@atl.org.uk
A new “collective” agreement has been agreed in respect of the process for
school amalgamations. Information from mlanghammer@atl.org.uk
12
www.atl.org.uk/ni
Teachers’ Pay 2.5 % from 1st September 2006
and another 2.5% from 1st September 2007:
Pay Scales &
Management
Allowances 2007
Teaching Allowances
Level of allowance
1
2
3
4
5
September 2006
1,680
3,396
5,832
8,031
10,836
September 2007
1,722
3,480
5,976
8,232
11,109
Recruitment and Retention
Allowances
Level of allowance
1
2
September 2006
1,089
2,139
September 2007
1,116
2,193
Special Education
Needs Allowances
Level of allowance
Special Needs 1
Special Needs 2
September 2006
1,818
3,597
September 2007
1,866
3,687
Rates for Unqualified Teachers
Annual Salary from Sept 2006
12,497
Annual Salary from Sept 2007
12,809
Hourly rates for unqualified
part-time Teachers
Category of Teacher
Unqualified
Treated as qualified
Homework centres
www.atl.org.uk/ni
Hourly Rate Sept 2006
13.45
17.34
17.34
Hourly Rate Sept 2007
13.78
17.78
17.78
Leadership Group
L1
L2
L3
L4
L5
L6
L7
L8
L9
L10
L11
L12
L13
L14
L15
L16
L17
L18
L19
L20
L21
L22
L23
L24
L25
L26
L27
L28
L29
L30
L31
L32
L33
L34
L35
L36
L37
L38
L39
L40
L41
L42
L43
1st September 2006
34.083
34,938
35,811
36,705
37,617
38,559
39,600
40,512
41,523
42,591
43,695
44,703
45,822
46,962
48,132
49,413
50,547
51,819
53,103
54,420
55,767
57,150
58,566
60,018
61,512
63,033
64,593
66,198
67,836
69,525
71,244
73,014
74,829
76,680
78,585
80,529
82,533
84,576
86,637
88,800
91,017
93,297
95,631
Principals’ Scales
L6-L18
L8-L21
L11-L24
L14-L27
L18-L31
L21-L35
L28-L43
1st September 2006
38,559 - 51,819
40,512 - 55,767
43,695 - 60,018
46,962 - 64,593
51,819 - 71,244
55,767 - 78,585
66,198 - 95,631
1st September 2007
39,525 -53,115
41,526 -57,162
44,790 -61,521
48,138 -66,210
53,115 -73,026
57,162 -80,550
67,854 -98,022
Main Pay Scale
M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M6
1st September 2006
19,641
21,195
22,899
24,660
26,604
28,707
1st September 2007
20,133
21,726
23,472
25,278
27,270
29,427
Upper Pay Scale
UPS 1
UPS 2
UPS 3
1st September 2006
31,098
32,253
33,444
1st September 2007
31,878
33,060
34,281
1st September 2007
34,938
35,814
36,708
37,623
38,559
39,525
40,590
41,526
42,564
43,656
44,790
45,822
46,968
48,138
49,338
50,649
51,813
53,115
54,432
55,782
57,162
58,581
60,033
61,521
63,051
64,611
66,210
67,854
69,534
71,265
73,026
74,841
76,701
78,597
80,550
82,545
84,597
86,691
88,803
91,020
93,294
95,631
98,022
13
Photo by William Mateer www.creativephotos.co.uk
ATL Edu cation Studies Pr ize 2007
Julie Tho m as gives the 2007 ATL Educ ation Studies Pr ize to Sha r on Ar m str ong
a t Str a nm illis Un ive r sity Colle ge .
A service for
Classroom Assistants
and Teachers who
work with them
ATL member Carol Walters is
offering a new service “Support for Learning” aimed at
Classroom Assistants and Teachers working with
Classroom Assistants. Amongst the support packages
provided include:
Classroom Assistants
• Guidance on Roles / Responsibilities
• Strategies for working with a range of difficulties
encountered by pupils (Autistic Spectrum, ADHD,
Managing Positive Behaviour)
• Promoting effective working relationships
Reps
Focus
14
Teachers
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Making effective use of your classroom assistant
Managing your classroom team
Effective working relationships
Senior Leadership Teams
CPD for Classroom Assistants
Developing Induction for Classroom Assistants
Creating a Handbook for Classroom Assistants
Carol, who has extensive experience in the classroom,
working with those with MLD, working in child protection,
home tuition, as a SENDO trainer, and supporting
SENCO’s. She has extensive experience in creating
support packagers for schools with classroom assistants in
primary, post primary or special schooling sectors.
Contact: Carol Walters at carol_walters_uk@yahoo.co.uk
or Tel: 028 91273363
A note of thanks to Geoff Kyle, who has acted as ATL Rep at Fort Hill College,
Lisburn for 29 years with great fortitude and forbearance.
Thanks Geoff!
www.atl.org.uk/ni
Publication Spotlight
Subject to Change: New Thinking
on the Curriculum
Subject to change is the excellent new ATL
publication, written by Martin Johnson on
curriculum development. Described by Mick
Waters of the Qualification and Curriculum
Authority as “a thoughtful read. It puts forward a
professional voice, asks searching questions and
provides serious argument. It is a positive book,
looking for a better future fore learning and in
doing so seeks out the treasure of the
curriculum.”
Price £9.99 (free to ATL Members), ISBN 1-902466-58-6 or from
housing
rights
service
For details of your local
CAB office please visit
www.citizensadvice.co.uk
4th Floor Middleton Bldgs.
10-12 High Street, Belfast.
028 9024 5640
www.housingrights.org.uk
Student Teachers
Supported by
info@uusu.org
www.uusu.org
studentsunion
@qub.ac.uk
su.president
@smucb.ac.uk
Follow the 10 Golden Rules
to avoid debt
1. Don’t ignore the problem – it won’t go away. The longer you leave it, the worse it
gets.
2. Make the most of your income – check you are claiming all the benefits and tax
credits you can. If you’ve lost your job, or are off work because you’re ill, check if
any debts are covered by payment protection insurance.
3. Tackle your priority debts first – for example, debts that could mean losing your
home, or having your gas or electricity cut off.
4. Work out your personal budget – show it to your creditors when you contact
them.
5. Get in touch with your creditors straight away and explain your situation. Contact
all of your creditors. If you arrange to pay some but not others, you may get into
difficulty again. You do not need to offer payment straight away.
6. Work out a reasonable offer for each creditor. Don’t worry if the offer seems
small. Creditors prefer a regular small amount more than an offer you can’t
afford.
7. Don’t give up trying to agree an offer, even if creditors are difficult. If the first
person you speak to is unhelpful, ask to speak to someone more senior. They
may be able to agree to what you want.
8. Always keep copies of letters and papers you send or get
9. Don’t borrow money to pay off your bills without thinking carefully. Get advice
first. This kind of borrowing could lead to you losing your home.
10. Get advice from a Citizens Advice Bureau, your local student Union or other
Independent advice service. If you get taken to court, do this urgently. Fill in reply
forms to court papers, and let the court have all the facts. Always go to court
hearings and take your personal budget with you.
TOP 10 TIPS FOR PRIVATE TENANTS
1. Read tenancy agreement before you sign it! Tenancy agreements are legally
binding and can be difficult to get out of.
2. Make sure you get a rent book with your landlord’s full contact details – it’s your
legal right.
3. Full time students normally don’t have to pay rates – check with the landlord or
Land & Property Services
4. If you are signing agreement with friends be aware that you may be liable for
SRCExec@stran.ac.uk
their rent if they move out.
5. Check that your guarantor is only liable for your rent and not for other tenants!
6. Check condition of property before you move in – gas appliances, electrics
Join ATL today
7. Get a receipt for deposit paid at start of tenancy.
NQT'S FREE FOR 8. Take photos of property when you move in and get an inventory noting condition
of furniture.
18 MONTHS
9. Your landlord should normally not enter the property without permission
Students/NQT's go to
10. You are legally entitled to 28 days notice to quit, get advice if you are asked to
leave the property.
www.new2teaching.org.uk
Stranmillis College
Students Union
ATL Telephone: 028 9032 7990
Helplines:
ATL Stress
Helpline
08705 234 828
ATL Out of Office
helpline
020 7782 1612
ATL Injury
Claims Line
0800 083 7285
www.atlinjuryclaims.org.uk
ATL Crisis Line:
08705 234 838
ATL Legal
Helpline
08701 654 026
(for private matters)
www.atl.org.uk/ni
STUDENT
POSTER
Students receiving this edition will
also receive a poster setting out
advice and key contacts in relation
to student debt and private rented
sector housing. Both rented
housing and personal debt are
amongst the most frequently
quoted problems facing ATL
student members. ATL is grateful
for the assistance of the Northern
Ireland Association of Citizens
Advice Bureaux and the Northern
Ireland Housing Rights Service in
launching this poster – which has
been endorsed by the
representative Students Unions of
all main teacher training colleges.
www.atl.org.uk/ni
ATL Support Staff
reject Government
offer!
ATL support staff met in two meetings
(Belfast and Derry) in September to
discuss the latest position in regard to
job evaluation process. The process
has lasted more than 10 years and
the latest government proposal was
not approved. Although not opting for
industrial action, ATL support staff
resolved to write to the Department of
Education, and Education employers
setting out their detailed concerns,
which centred on:
• Calculation divisor of 36 hours
rather than 32.5, reducing
backpay
• Inadequacies within the pay
“protection” arrangements
• Lack of consideration of Level 3
qualifications
• The unique nature of pupil focused
contracts
ATL will report back to all classroom
assistants on any new information as
we learn of them.
Olwen Williams
ATL Northern Ireland Almoner
Contact No: 07711 817002
I am here to offer help to members at
times such as:
•
•
•
•
•
Bereavement
Illness
Stress
Health problems
Addictions
My aim is to help past and present
ATL members and their dependents.
I work in conjunction with the ATL Trust
Fund. This is a registered charity. It
was formed to give confidential
support and financial assistance to
members in times of difficulty. I can
also refer members to sources of
expert help.
ATL’s services exist to help you, the
members. Do not hesitate to contact
me if you think I could help.
Telephone calls or visits will be in the
strictest confidence.
Contact No: 07711 817002
Newly Qualified
Teachers
Workshop
A Workshop for NQT’s was held
at the Wellington Park Hotel on
Saturday 25 August 2007. A
voice care coach gave practical
advice on how to protect and
project your voice and various
exercises to do to avoid overstressing your vocal cords – the
workshop was informative and
inter-active. Excellent tips were
given on subbing and the
workshop ended with advice on
interview techniques.
15
ATL General Enquiries
10 Cromac Quay, Belfast BT7 2JD
Tel: 028 9032 7990 Email: mlanghammer@atl.org.uk
Casework: Alastair Donaghy
Tel: 07918 741046 or 028 90328119
Contacts and Useful Websites
Employers and
Education Bodies
Health & Safety
Health and Safety Executive NI
Department of Education
www.hseni.gov.uk
Officers
www.deni.gov.uk/teachers
President: Andy Brown,
Department for Employment & Learning
Trade Union
Ballymena Academy.
www.delni.gov.uk
TUC www.tuc.org.uk
Tel: 07943 806664
Belfast Education & Library Board
ICTU www.ictuni.org
Vice President: Julie Thomas, www.belb.org.uk
ICTU learning site
Sydenham Infants Primary
Telephone: 028 9056 4000
www.tradeunionlearning.org
School
South Eastern Education & Library Board
Secretary: Colin Kinney,
www.seelb.org.uk
Cookstown High School.
Telephone: 028 9056 6200
General Education
Tel: 028 8676 3792
North Eastern Education & Library Board
General Teaching Council
Treasurer: Niall McConville,
www.neelb.org.uk
www.gtcni.org.uk
St. Dominic’s High School
Telephone: 028 2565 3333
Regional Training Unit
Southern Education & Library Board
www.rtuni.org
Branch Committee
www.selb.org
Council for Curriculum, Examinations
Richard Adams
Telephone: 028 3751 2200
& Assessment
Claire Wilson
Western Education & Library Board
www.ccea.org.uk
Milltown Primary School
www.welbni.org
Partnership Management Board
Mrs Sandra E Douglas
Telephone: 028 8241 1411
(Curriculum Development)
Victoria Primary School
Council for Catholic Maintained Schools
www.pmbni.org.uk
Paula Graham
www.onlineccms.com
Wellington College
Telephone: 028 9042 6972
DENI:
Mr Eddie Ferguson
NI Council for Integrated Education
For information on Salaries/Pensions/ Sick
Mr Steven Fleming
www.nicie.org
Pay/Maternity
Pay please contact:
Magherafelt High School
Telephone: 028 9023 6200
Waterside
House,
75 Duke Street
Mr John Harkin
Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta
Derry
BT47
6FP
Oakgrove Integrated College
www.comhairle.org
Dr Theo Laverty
Telephone: 028 9032 1475
Telephone: 028 7131 9000
Dominican College, Portstewart ATL www.atl.org.uk
Ms Heather Logan
ATL Northern Ireland Branch
Please have the following information
Clandeboye Primary
www.atl.org.uk/ni
before you ring: Teacher Reference
Mrs Anne Millis
Number; Board Area; Full or part-time;
Cedar Integrated
Employment Advice
Teaching or retired.
Mr John Pollock
Labour Relations Agency www.lra.org.uk
Other Useful Contacts:
Our Lady & St. Patrick’s
Law Centre, NI www.lawcentreni.org.uk
College
Benefits Agency 028 9033 6673
Citizens Advice Bureaux
Mrs Julie Thomas
Staff Care 0500 127079
www.citizensadvice.co.uk
Sydenham Infants
(Free confidential Counselling & advice
CABx (public advice)
Mr Gordon White
Service)
www.adviceguide.org.uk/nireland
Lisneal College
Vacant: Representative for
Special Education
Vacant: Representative for
Further Education
Like to receive e-mail bulletins from ATL? Please let Theresa Devenney,
ATL Almoner
tdevenney@atl.org.uk have your contact e-mail address and we will send occassional
Olwen Williams
ATL bulletins and information to you by email. E-mail is the cheapest and easiest
communication channel we have.
E-mail Bulletins
No third parties or commercial interests will have access to your data.
16
www.atl.org.uk/ni
three~creatve company • 028 9048 3388
ATL Branch
Committee 2006-07