[Samantha Murray]

Just got myself involved in the the task group for looking at implementing TLRs,
our first meeting is tonight and I am actually a bit worried..... I am in my second year of teaching and although I have researched all of the stuff I feel a bit like a drowning rat because everybody else on the task force is an experienced teacher. This shouldn't be a problem but many of them are opposed to change. My personal belief is that this could be a positive change for teaching. What do you guys think? Are you in favour or against? Is anybody else involved in a task force looking at the issue?

thanks sam x

[Cheryl T]

In our school there will be no head of geography, history or RE. Instead we'll have a Curriculum leader for Humanities and an assistant leader for humanites. The new structure was revealed on Tuesday night in a staff meeting and now there are a lot of staff feeling very unhappy. I'm going to have to apply for assistant curriculum leader after spending a number of hours and sleepless nights applying for Head of History, and will possibly be up against the Head of RE.

Not a change for the best in the eyes of a number of staff especially in the Humanities Faculty where once again we have been made to feel under valued.

[sarahn]

Samantha,
I think this would be difficult as a young teacher, but you could try and talk the others round to your point of vie w- why this is a positive change for all involved.
Although I totally understand where Cheryl is coming from - it is unfair when humanities are downgraded!, what are other subject areas doing - I have a feeling that in my school, Creative Arts might be lumped under a big umbrella as well, so that there is one head and an assistant...
Sarah

[Samantha Murray]

Cheryl,

I feel for you. It seems that many schools are going down this route.
For many years my school has stuggled with RE and as such we do not have any qualified RE teachers just History and geography teachers trying thier best. So this won't be an issue in that sense.

However, It is likely that the head will want to get rid of heads of department. This has already happened to English and languages who have all been grouped rather uneasily together as one faculty, and art, teachnology, music and PE all coming under the rather broad 'expressive arts'. Many disgruntled staff.

As for my role in all of this, I was so angry at our conference that this was going to potentially stall my career I felt that I should get involved rather than stand on the sidelines and moan. Nethertheless, I am fully aware that I have been chosen not for my opinion as such but more so that the head can say that a spectrum of staff were involved in the implementation process.

I'll post once I have been to the meeting.
sam x

[Ed Waller]

It's all rather maddening.

Worth reminding people that although there must be a review, there's no statutory need to change anything.

Anyone who loses out now or potentially in the future (money, status, pension) is fully entitled to take the management and governors through a grievance procedure.

Similarly, it is likely that most managements and governors won't want the levels of disrtuption and disaffection that a large-scale review might bring.

Offer them a chance to arrange 5 levels of TLR, then move people across accordingly on Jan 1. Result: Everyone happy, statuyory requirements fulfilled.

(note it is impossible to match TLR and MA values exactly, so make the TLR level higher than the MA)

Ed

(edited because I pushed wrong button when switching screens!)

This post has been edited by Ed Waller: 22 September 2005 - 04:43 PM

[Chris Wilde]

Cheryl,
don't worry about the new structure and applying for the new post. I heard that you beat some extremely good competition to get the head of history job, so the head must rate you!
Chris

This post has been edited by Chris Wilde: 22 September 2005 - 04:55 PM

[Samantha Murray]

Well the meeting was interesting.......

My general feeling is that whatever model we go for (still to be researched) humanites and other subjects will lose out against the bigger core subjects. Whilst I can appreciate the fact that the heads of fac in these subjects have a big responsibility does that diminish the role of other heads of fac who may not teach as many students but perhaps do lots of other things to raise achievement/moral; etc. I feel torn between what I can see is practical bigger fac= more money bigger TLR, against the indignant humanities work hard and deserve to be recognised.

Also am very concerned about the fact that there is a huge jump to make from mainscale up to TLRs. Does the government have any suggestions for how teachers on main scale ae going to make this jump.

Very confused.

[Anne Piper]

At my school TLR will be based on lessons taught in each dept. Not good for history, geography, RE etc! Also HoYs will no longer be filled by teaching staff, but by learning mentors, and SEN and G&T will not qualify for TLR and may be farmed out to non-teachers. Staff are generally unhappy with the arrangement mainly as it effectively cuts out one area for career development (pastoral care), but there are other issues. I am not sure how I feel about it as I currently have no management points, and am uncertain where my future lies. The HoD is brilliant and is in place for the duration, so if I want to progress it means looking elsewhere, whioch I would rather not do as I love my school!

[Ed Waller]

Anne Piper, on Sep 22 2005, 08:36 PM, said:

Also HoYs will no longer be filled by teaching staff, but by learning mentors,

This is more madness (and not Anne's!), to lose the career path and the experience of HoY in your school. There's absolutely no need to lose these posts in this way. To get really geeky for a sec, para 23A.3 of the STPCD clearly allows TLR's for those who "lead and manage pupil development across the curriculum" (ie HoY).

[Karen Miller]

I am a HOY having lost my HOD role in an amalgamation. I was both in my school. Now after that stressful situation I too was worried about losing my current position and I still am. However, Ed is quite right that HOYs can fit into the new TLRs. I just feel that it is daft to lose years of pastoral experience. In my case 16 years. But who knows where things are going.
Karen

This post has been edited by Karen Miller: 22 September 2005 - 07:58 PM

[Anne Piper]

Quote

This is more madness (and not Anne's!), to lose the career path and the experience of HoY in your school. There's absolutely no need to lose these posts in this way. To get really geeky for a sec, para 23A.3 of the STPCD clearly allows TLR's for those who "lead and manage pupil development across the curriculum" (ie HoY).

Quote

HOYs can fit into the new TLRs. I just feel that it is daft to lose years of pastoral experience. In my case 16 years. But who knows where things are going.

I could not agree more. It is also a matter of discipline - teachers carry more authority, and no matter how you dress it up, students know who is a 'proper teacher' and who operates in a support role. I have heard pupils refer to PGCE students and even NQTs as not 'proper teachers - so you can't do nothing', so Lord knows what the reaction would be to class teacher threatening to send a disruptive student to the Learning Mentor!

[johnwayne]

In keeping with this topic but just slightly off the thread - I was recently reminded by my partner that this TLR system (restructuring of wages) was attempted on the medical profession in particular GPs but guess what - it was rejected by them - funny that!

[Ed Waller]

johnwayne, on Sep 24 2005, 05:38 PM, said:

In keeping with this topic but just slightly off the thread - I was recently reminded by my partner that this TLR system (restructuring of wages) was attempted on the medical profession in particular GPs but guess what - it was rejected by them - funny that!

There are many things we might want ot 'reject'as teachers that governmnts of various coours mioght wish to impose

[Nick Dennis]

Ed Waller, on Sep 25 2005, 02:04 AM, said:

There are many things we might want ot 'reject'as teachers that governmnts of various coours mioght wish to impose

Ed is doing his best to fight the govt directive on sleeping hours...

[Ed Waller]

Nick Dennis, on Sep 25 2005, 11:47 AM, said:

Ed is doing his best to fight the govt directive on sleeping hours...

and the one on drink quotas