NUT: Comment on performance management

Friday, 13 January 2012 12:01 AM

Commenting on the changes planned for September 2012, announced by the Department for Education today, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union said:

“The changes to the appraisal and capability policies will rightly be seen by teachers as an attack on their professionalism and will anger and depress them in equal measure.

“Best practice in schools is about taking pains to ensure that teachers are supported in developing their professional practice. Teaching is about getting the very best from every learner in every lesson. It isn’t about ‘performing for observers’.

“What the Government proposes is potentially a bully’s charter. The Union believes that many well-functioning schools, where development and professionalism is prized, will not adopt Mr Gove’s model.

“If schools are serious about addressing the issue of teacher competence should it arise, they must do it in a fair fashion and not be constrained by a one term time limit. It is far better to improve teachers than to seek measures to sack them.”

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• teaching