Teachers blast crackdown on struggling staff
The government’s latest guidelines for dealing with underperforming teachers have been met with fierce opposition from teaching unions.
Under the new arrangements, which come into force in September, head teachers will have the power to dismiss poorly performing teachers in a term, significantly reducing the current year-long process.
Schools will also have more freedom over managing their teachers through simpler regulations, such as the removal of the three-hour limit on observing teachers in the classroom.
Announcing the changes today (13 January), Education Secretary Michael Gove said the reforms would make it easier for schools “to identify and address the training and professional development teachers need to fulfill their potential, and to help their pupils to do the same”.
“What we do need if we are to raise performance, rather than grab headlines, is to improve continuing professional development and methods of supporting teachers,” she added.
Voice also slammed the guidelines, with the union’s general secretary Philip Parkin claiming that the new arrangements would encourage some head teachers “to bully people out of their jobs”.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Head Teachers welcomed the shake-up to teacher appraisal.
General secretary Russell Hobby said: “Clearer systems of performance management are one way to build up the professional reputation of teachers. For those who are clearly unsuited to teaching, it is in everyone’s interests that, after a fair process, they should be helped to pursue their career elsewhere.”
Source: CYP Now
