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The 65th edition for ALL Plymouth Teachers January 2007

A GOOD LOCAL SCHOOL FOR EVERY CHILD

99% SAY YES

to the NUT Guidelines following our nationwide
ballot. Nearly 90% said they would be willing to
take action in their school if the NUT Guidelines
on reducing workload, attending meetings,
PPA time, performance management, planning,
classroom observations etc, were ignored.
SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Where workload issues are problematic in
your school you should be thinking and talk-
ing about what changes are needed to reduce
the impact on your working day. For
example, there are teachers who write lesson
plans for non-teachers to cover PPA time—
this is an immediate workload issue and
importantly, not a contractual obligation!
Perhaps you have more than one meeting a
week or insufficient PPA time.
Priorities will vary school to school, but you
now have the opportunity to take practical
steps to make the changes that you know will
help to address your work/life balance. Your
ballot allows NUT members to seize this
opportunity, and be legally protected.
NUT HQ will issue advice, but it’s often better
to get involved in discussions with others facing
the same struggle to reduce workload. Only the
NUT is protecting its members with a practical
solution that the so-called “workforce agree-
ment” was supposed to sort out.
ENSURE THAT YOUR SCHOOL IS REPRESENTED AT
THE GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD AS USUAL AT
THE CHINA HOUSE ON SUTTON HARBOUR—
THURSDAY 18TH JANUARY—1715 FOR 1730 [FOR
ABOUT AN HOUR]. REPS SHOULD TRY TO BRING
ANOTHER NUT MEMBER WITH THEM TO GET FIRST-
HAND ADVICE. EVEN IF YOUR REP IS UNABLE TO
ATTEND, SEND ANOTHER MEMBER. CONTACT THE
SECRETARY SO WE CAN ORDER ENOUGH FOOD FOR
THE FREE BUFFET! plymnut@teacher.clara.co.uk
Reps have received a comprehensive paperback
covering the Guidelines and every member has
received a shorter version All headteachers have
received the same information together with a
covering letter from Steve Sinnott.
Only NUT members will be protected by the
decisions you make in your school about the
reductions you wish to see, although you
should expect other colleagues to welcome the
reductions your action secures for them! Ask
them to join us!

Endorsed by classroom teachers everywhere

Call the Joining Hotline 0845 300 1669
 A member asks,

Sooty tells Education Secretary

“ I have now

about an absent colleague

gone p/t so my
TLR has been

Alan Johnson MP
reduced pro rata.
Should my job
description also
be reduced?”
Answer: Yes!
Or paid in full if
your duties and
responsibilities
remain the same

NUT
YOUR

especially for you

Established in 1870, the NUT provides the teaching
profession in England and Wales with a union uniquely John Stinchcombe joined the NUT in
open only to qualified teachers. September 1946—over
60 years ago!
A century ago it was the only union to call for equal Can anyone beat that in Plymouth?
pay for women.
The NUT is not affiliated to any political party, is New & Young Teacher W/E
independent of government and can speak freely. Under 35 or new to teaching?
We offer unrivalled experienced local support and Contact Regional Office for details of
legal advice when you need it. this excellent Friday/Saturday course
The NUT’s first-rate legal service has taken on the in February. Completely free and held
Government in the courts and won, in addition to in Launceston. First come first...
winning many millions of pounds in compensation.
The NUT offers its members high quality training and NUT REPS—Book
professional development.
Membership includes a free COUNTDOWN discount
yourself on the
card and no ‘two-for-one’ special offers. next Rep’s course
It’s not just the largest teacher union in Europe, it’s at Stoke Rochford—
also the second largest head teacher union and the one
campaigning strongly for sustained and principled
7th to 9th Feb 2007
professional unity. Completely Free!
This isn’t just any A member asks, “What will an NUT
course cost my school?”
teacher trade union, this is The only cost to your school is arranging cover
The National Union of Teachers for you to attend. NUT school and college
representatives, including health and
The NUT—does exactly safety representatives, have a statutory
entitlement to time off with pay, during working
what it says on the tin! hours, for training related to their role.