Performance management for teachers and headteachers

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

The consultation on changes to Performance Management arrangements for teachers and headteachers closed on 30 August 2006. 

NGA in its response to the consultation made the following points:

• On headteacher?s performance appraisal the proposal was that the whole governing body should be able to scrutinise the objectives once set. 
• NGA did not support this proposal.  NGA?s response pointed out that this was against current practice.  Performance management governors currently receive specific training which other members of the governing body do not and it, therefore, seemed strange that those without training may be given power to overturn the decisions of those who have received training.

• On pay progression the proposals stated that a recommendation on pay should be made by the reviewer and that these would not be subject to amendment.
• NGA did not support this proposal.  NGA made clear that final decisions on pay must be left in the hands of the governing body and headteacher.

• Timescales the original proposals were that the new arrangements would have to be in place by 31 October 2006, this was then amended to 31 January 2007.
• NGA expressed reservations about 31 January 2007 deadline.  In our response we made the point that although in some schools performance management is already carried out effectively this is certainly not the case in all schools.  The new proposals make a direct link between performance management and pay for the first time and it is imperative that all those affected understand the changes, which will require training.  NGA proposed that the timescale for implementation be moved to autumn 2007 to ensure adequate time for dissemination of guidance and training.

On 21 September 2006 the Minister of State for Schools, Jim Knight made an initial announcement about the performance management proposals.  He has announced that the timescale for implementation has been moved to autumn 2007.  Teachers? reviews statements will now have to be completed by 31 October 2007 and headteachers? by 31 December 2007.

No announcement had been made by (4 October 2006) about the rest of the Performance Management proposals.

Gillian Windass

NGA Policy Officer