From the office in Cardiff...
November 2009
Please contact us if you feel that there are specific issues you would find it useful for us to include in our newsletter.
Anna Brychan, Director NAHT Cymru
Primary Meeting 4 November – David Egan and the 8-14 Review. Please attend
Professor David Egan, Chair of the 8-14 Review Group will be attending the NAHT Cymru primary sector Committee meeting at 12.30pm, Thursday 4 November at the Commodore Hotel, Llandrindod. Members have expressed interest and concern about the work of the Review in almost equal measure. This is your chance to hear what’s being discussed – and to contribute to the debate. All members are welcome. If you want to attend, please contact Cymru@naht.org.uk to say so.
How much BSF money is dedicated to schools on your patch?
Members are telling us that the percentage of BSF training money being delegated to schools varies considerably across Wales. Some delegate as little as 29%, others considerably more. Please could you email the figure for your authority to Cymru@naht.org.uk
Behaviour of local representatives from other unions
Message from Kerry George, Senior Assistant Secretary, NAHT, reissuing earlier advice:
‘I have received a copy of a letter from a local authority complaining to a teacher union about the behaviour of a local representative. I do not have permission to identify the authority but a very senior officer of the authority has written to the union concerned, following several complaints from heads about the behaviour, described as ‘bullying and harassing with a raised voice and a threatening tone’, of a local representative. The letter concludes that ‘the county council as the residual employer of all teaching staff in county schools has a duty to the health, safety and welfare of all its employees.’ It follows therefore that the county council could be liable in any case brought by individuals such as these head teachers, where we might have failed in that duty.
It is heartening to see a local authority employer prepared to register its views on the behaviour of local representatives. Colleagues should also note the possibility of a health and safety issue. The employer is, of course, responsible for the psychological health and welfare of employees and should, therefore, be prepared to take action where bullying and harassment occurs. As ever, I leave it to your discretion to circulate this email to NAHT branch officials in your patch.
Where members have been bullied and harassed by representatives of other unions, it seems to me eminently sensible that a complaint should be made by the branch to the employer on the basis of the employers ‘responsibility’, as set out above. NAHT should not miss opportunities to remind employers of their responsibilities towards our members, who are senior managers acting on behalf of the employer.
From time to time we are contacted by members about this sort of thing. We have had instances where it has been very clear that union representatives were pursuing some kind of vendetta against our members.
Clearly, employees are entitled to be represented by their union representatives, however, no-one is required to deal with a union rep who behaves inappropriately and we have advised, and continue to advise, that members should, with the support of their governors, refuse to deal with individuals who have demonstrated their unwillingness or inability to comport themselves in a professional manner.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries on this.’
Kerry George kerryg@naht.org.uk
School pay policies October 2009 (Wales) - Including Model Pay Policy
This guidance has been updated to take account of the new School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document 2009. Performance Management in Wales remains unchanged.
More details at the following link
Deputy and Assistant Heads' Pay
This advice concerns deputy and assistant head teachers’ pay and covers not only deputy and assistant heads employed in primary, secondary and special schools with delegated budgets, where the governing body is the relevant body, but also all those entitled under their contract of employment to be paid as deputy and assistant heads in Outdoor Education Centres, Pupil Referral Units and LA Central Services, where the LA is the relevant body.
NAHT is conscious that there are invariably differences between the roles of deputy and assistant heads. However, for pay purposes, the processes applicable to deputy and assistant heads are, in most respects, identical. Where there are differences, those differences will be clearly stated. The pay review process for 2009/2010 is identical for deputy and assistant heads are, in most respects, identical. Where there are differences, those differences will be clearly stated. The pay review process for 2009/2010 is identical for deputy and assistant heads.
For more detail, go to the following link
Rarely cover
Guidance has been published to help schools with the implementation of rarely cover from 1st September 2009. Members are advised to follow that guidance in the first instance. It can be found at www.naht.org.uk
Many school leaders will have already assessed the historic pattern of absence in their schools and calculated how much cover may be foreseen – and therefore managed from resources other than requiring teachers to ‘cover’. Concerns are being expressed by school leaders that this may lead to a reduction in sanctioned absences from school (for training, school trips, compassionate reasons etc) and the NAHT has written to the Secretary of State over the issue of rarely cover in Special Schools in particular.
Where members have any difficulty in implementation - be that with the consultation process or the outcome of the consultation please contact spc@naht.org.uk
A reminder - school travel code...
The Travel Behaviour Code and Statutory Guidance.
A new Code has been prepared to deal with incidents of bad behaviour on school transport. This will need to be incorporated into schools’ existing behaviour policies. The Code will be effective from January 2010. More details will follow.
Budgets – information from school budget forums
School Budget forums have been meeting over recent weeks. NAHT Cymru members have contacted us to express considerable concern about proposed training budget cuts and indications in some areas that teachers’ pay increase may not be covered in schools’ delegated budget. Please keep the office informed of these developments Cymru@naht.org.uk in order that we can take them up on your behalf.
Please remember that the All Wales Budget Training Group will meet on Friday 13 November at 10 at the Caer Beris Hotel, Builth Wells to discuss budget matters. ALL members are welcome to attend.
Remember - if youhave a 'high' school balance...
Please be aware of the severe tightening in public spending expected from 2011. Some authorities are already claiming back any 8%+ balances…
Meetings/Events 2009
12 November: 12.30pm.NAHT Cymru Primary committee, Commodore Hotel, Llandrindod. Please note that the 8.14 Review is on the agenda for this meeting. Details cymru@naht.org.uk
13 November:10am. NAHT Cymru All Wales Budget Training Group (formerly the Budget Training Network), Caer Beris Hotel, Builth Wells. Open to all members interested in local budget setting processes). Details cymru@naht.org.uk
3-4.12.09: NAHT branch offficials’ training event. Copthorne Tara Hotel, London. Details cymru@naht.org.uk
04 February 2010: 1pm.NAHT Cymru Primary committee, location in mid Wales tbc. Details cymru@naht.org.uk
05 February 2010:10am. NAHT Cymru All Wales Budget Training Group (formerly the Budget Training Network), location in mid Wales tbc. Open to all members interested in local budget setting processes). Details cymru@naht.org.uk
O Swyddfa Caerdydd…
Tachwedd 2009
Cysylltwch â ni os gwelwch yn dda os teimlwch fod materion penodol a fyddai’n ddefnyddiol i chi y gallem ni eu cynnwys yn ein cylchlythyr.
Anna Brychan, Cyfarwyddwr NAHT Cymru
Cyfarfod Cynradd 4 Tachwedd – David Egan a’r adolygiad 8-14. Dewch Yn Llu!
Bydd yr Athro David Egan, Cadeirydd y Grŵp Adolygu 8-14 yn mynychu cyfarfod Pwyllgor sector cynradd NAHT Cymru am 12.30pm, ddydd Iau 4 Tachwedd yng ngwesty’r Commodore, Llandrindod. Mae aelodau wedi mynegi diddordeb a phryder lawn cymaint â’i gilydd yng ngwaith yr Adolygiad. Dyma’ch cyfle i glywed yr hyn sy’n cael ei drafod – ac i gyfrannu at y ddadl. Mae croeso i bob aelod. Os hoffech fynychu, cysylltwch â Cymru@naht.org.uk os gwelwch yn dda.
Faint o arian y gronfa gwella ysgolion a drosglwyddir i ysgolion yn eich ardal chi?
Mae aelodau’n dweud wrthym fod y ganran o arian hyfforddiant y Gronfa Gwella Ysgolion a drosglwyddir i ysgolion yn amrywio’n sylweddol ledled Cymru. Mae rhai’n trosglwyddo cyn lleied â 29%, eraill yn sylweddol fwy. Allwch chi os gwelwch yn dda e-bostio’r ffigur ar gyfer eich awdurdod chi i Cymru@naht.org.uk.
Ymddygiad cynrychiolwyr lleol undebau eraill
Neges gan Kerry George, Uwch Ysgrifennydd Cynorthwyol NAHT, wrth ail gyhoeddi cyngor cynharach:
‘Rwyf wedi derbyn copi o lythyr gan awdurdod lleol yn cwyno wrth undeb athrawon am ymddygiad cynrychiolydd lleol. Nid oes gennyf ganiatâd i enwi’r awdurdod ond mae swyddog uchel iawn o’r awdurdod wedi ysgrifennu at yr undeb perthnasol , yn dilyn amryw o gwynion gan brifathrawon am yr ymddygiad un cynrychiolydd, sy’n cael ei ddisgrifio fel ‘bwlio ac aflonyddu gan godi llais ac mewn tôn fygythiol’. Mae’r llythyr yn gorffen trwy ddweud ‘bod gan y cyngor sir fel cyflogwr yr holl staff addysgu yn ysgolion y sir ddyletswydd at iechyd, diogelwch a lles ei weithwyr’. Mae’n dilyn felly y gallai’r cyngor sir fod yn agored i unrhyw achos y gallai unigolion fel y prifathrawon hyn ei ddwyn yn ei erbyn, lle gallai’r cyngor fod wedi methu yn y ddyletswydd honno.
Mae’n galonogol gweld cyflogwr fel awdurdod lleol yn barod i gofrestru ei farn ar ymddygiad cynrychiolwyr lleol. Dylai cydweithwyr nodi hefyd y posibilrwydd o fater iechyd a diogelwch. Y cyflogwr sydd, wrth gwrs, yn gyfrifol am iechyd a lles seicolegol gweithwyr, a dylai felly fod yn barod i gymryd camau lle bo bwlio ac aflonyddu’n digwydd. Fel bob amser, fe’i gadawaf i’ch doethineb chi i gylchredeg yr e-bost hwn i swyddogion canghennau NAHT yn eich ardal.
Lle bo aelodau wedi cael eu bwlio a’u haflonyddu gan gynrychiolwyr undebau eraill, mae’n ymddangos yn amlwg synhwyrol i mi y dylid gwneud cwyn gan y gangen i’r cyflogwr ar sail ‘cyfrifoldeb’ y cyflogwr, fel y caiff ei ddatgan uchod. Ni ddylai NAHT golli cyfleoedd i atgoffa cyflogwyr o’u cyfrifoldebau tuag at ein haelodau, sy’n uwch-reolwyr yn gweithredu ar ran y cyflogwr.
O bryd i’w gilydd bydd aelodau’n cysylltu â ni ynghylch y math yma o beth. Rydym wedi cael enghreifftiau lle mae wedi bod yn amlwg iawn fod cynrychiolwyr undebau’n dilyn rhyw fath o fendeta yn erbyn ein haelodau.
Yn amlwg, mae hawl gan weithwyr i gael eu cynrychioli gan eu cynrychiolwyr undeb. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’n ofynnol i neb ymwneud â chynrychiolydd undeb sy’n ymddwyn yn amhriodol ac rydym wedi cynghori, ac yn parhau i gynghori, y dylai aelodau, gyda chefnogaeth eu llywodraethwyr, wrthod trafod gydag unigolion sydd wedi arddangos eu hamharodrwydd neu anallu i ymddwyn mewn modd proffesiynol.
Peidiwch ag oedi cyn cysylltu â mi os oes gennych unrhyw gwestiynau ynglŷn â hyn os gwelwch yn dda.’
Kerry George kerryg@naht.org.uk
POLISÏAU TÂL YSGOLION HYDREF 2009 (CYMRU) - yn cynnwys Polisi Tâl Enghreifftiol
Mae’r canllawiau hyn wedi cael eu diweddaru i roi ystyriaeth i ddogfen newydd 2009 ar Dâl ac Amodau Athrawon Ysgol. Mae Rheoli Perfformiad yng Nghymru yn parhau’n ddigyfnewid.
Mwy o fanylion ar: http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/resources/key-topics/salaries/guidance-on-school-pay-policies-october-2009/
Tal Dirprwyon a phenaethiaid cynorthwyol
Mae’r cyngor hwn yn ymwneud â thâl dirprwy brifathrawon a phrifathrawon cynorthwyol. Yn ogystal â dirprwyon a phrifathrawon cynorthwyol a gaiff eu cyflogi mewn ysgolion cynradd, uwchradd ac arbennig gyda chyllidebau wedi eu dirprwyo, lle mai’r corff llywodraethu yw’r corff perthnasol, mae’n cynnwys hefyd bawb o’r rhai sydd â hawl o dan eu cytundeb cyflogaeth i gael eu talu fel dirprwy brifathrawon a phrifathrawon cynorthwyol mewn Canolfannau Addysg Awyr Agored, Unedau Cyfeirio Disgyblion a Gwasanaethau Canolog Awdurdodau Lleol, lle mai’r Awdurdod Lleol yw’r corff perthnasol.
Mae NAHT yn ymwybodol fod gwahaniaethau bob amser rhwng rolau dirprwy brifathrawon a phrifathrawon cynorthwyol. Fodd bynnag, i ddibenion tâl, mae’r prosesau sy’n berthnasol i ddirprwy brifathrawon ac i brifathrawon cynorthwyol, yn union yr un fath yn y rhan fwyaf o ffyrdd. Lle bo gwahaniaethau, bydd y gwahaniaethau hynny’n cael ei nodi’n glir. Mae’r broses adolygu tâl am 2009/10 yn union yr un fath i ddirprwy brifathrawon ag yw i brifathrawon cynorthwyol.
Am fwy o fanylion, ewch i:
http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/resources/key-topics/salaries/guidance-on-deputy-and-assistant-head-teachers-pay/
Prin gyflenwi
Mae canllawiau wedi cael eu cyhoeddi i helpu ysgolion gyda gweithredu prin gyflenwi o 1 Medi 2009. Cynghorir aelodau i ddilyn y canllawiau hynny ar y dechrau. Gellir eu gweld ar www.naht.org.uk
Bydd llawer o arweinwyr ysgolion eisoes wedi asesu patrwm hanesyddol absenoldeb yn eu hysgolion ac wedi cyfrifo faint o gyflenwi y gellir ei ragweld (a’r angen felly i’w ddiwallu heb ofyn i athrawon gyflenwi). Mae pryderon yn cael eu mynegi gan arweinwyr ysgolion y gall hyn arwain at leihad mewn absenoldebau caniataol o’r ysgol (ar gyfer hyfforddi, tripiau ysgol, rhesymau tosturiol etc) ac mae NAHT wedi ysgrifennu at yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol ynghylch y mater o brin gyflenwi mewn Ysgolion Arbennig yn benodol.
Lle bo aelodau’n cael unrhyw anhawster mewn gweithredu – boed hynny gyda’r broses ymgynghori neu ganlyniad yr ymgynghori, cysylltwch â spc@naht.org.uk
