The National Education Union (NEU) has welcomed action by the
Northern Education Trust (NET) academy chain to improve teacher
workload and pay.
In close consultation with NEU representatives, the Trust has
ended its use of performance-related pay (PRP), meaning teachers
make automatic progress up the pay scale.
NET has also adopted a policy of “live marking”, meaning teachers
no longer mark large numbers of books during evenings and
weekends. The effect of this has been to give staff more time to
plan exciting and engaging lessons for students.
The changes were made after a survey by the union found reducing
excessive workload was the biggest priority for members. NET had
been considering for some time what changes could be made to
support teachers in the classroom whilst still achieving their
main priority of providing the very best education for students’.
Working closely with the NEU, a new marking policy was developed
along with changes on pay and lesson observation.
The Trust has moved to all teachers having one 15-minute lesson
observation per year and has also stopped using targets relating
to the test scores of pupils in its appraisal system.
Previously, teachers received three lesson observations per
academic year. Evidence collected by NEU reps found preparation
for observation caused increased workload and anxiety for staff,
while trust bosses said the administrative burden the system
placed on senior leaders was counterproductive. The new system
allows teachers to opt into extra observations to get feedback on
their practice.
Surveys by NEU reps found that the new policy has had a
significant impact in reducing teacher workload, improving the
work/life balance of staff and has benefited pupils.
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National
Education Union, said:
“The NEU believes performance-related pay in education has
failed. This view is shared by a growing number of academy
trusts.
“The move to live marking and away from lesson observations and
PRP has massively reduced stress and workload for our members. At
the same time, the Trust is happy because pupils are learning
well and making good progress.
“Rather than sitting at home marking books, teachers are able to
give instant feedback and respond to what students have done in
class. NEU members feel very strongly that the change has
improved their workload and their teaching, as well as the
learning of pupils.
“The message to other trusts is clear: putting in place measures
which improve teacher workload and wellbeing will also improve
students’ education.”
Rob Tarn, chief executive of Northern Education Trust, said:
“The Trust’s work in removing the requirement to mark students’
books outside of lessons has been extremely well received by
students, staff and trade unions.
“The formal process of lesson observation, numeric targets and
the link to pay progression causes staff undue workload and
anxiety, but there is little impact in terms of student
performance. We believe the new policy achieves the best outcomes
for students and supports teachers. Now staff seem to feel valued
and have a better work life balance. At the same time, children
are getting a much-improved quality of education and much
enhanced life chances. We have four of the 20 most improved
secondary schools in England for the proportion of students
passing maths and English.
“I would encourage school leaders to look at what actually has an
impact on children's progress and if there's something that
doesn't, do away with it.”
