NUT policy on Performance Management passed at the Easter annual conference 2001

Conference opposes the Performance Management scheme introduced under the Education(School Teacher Appraisal) Regulations 2000.

Conference believes that the system of performance management introduced under these regulations is part and parcel of the Government's plans to impose Performance Related Pay on teachers. Under this scheme, the outcome of performance management reviews, including 'pupil progress', will become key evidencefor making performance-related decisions about teachers' pay, whether they are below, at, or above the 'threshold.'

Far from improving teacher morale, as claimed in the DfEE's Performance Management Framework, by using performance management as the machinery of performance pay, these regulations will create an atmosphere of distrust. They will undermine good staff re;lations and lead to further bullying of staff by poor managers.

Performance Management is leading to an increase in teacher workload. Teachers are under pressure to take on furtehr work to meet performance targets, particularly by agreeing to training outside school hours in line with the original Green Paper recommendations. The process of performance review is itself making further demands on staff time.

Conference believes that the criteria for performance management policies issued by the union in its advice to members are insufficient to protect members since the requirements set down in the Regulations remain.

Conference therefore instructs the Executive to:
  1. Write to ever member in the Summer Term 2001 explaining why the Union opposes the Performance Management scheme introduced under the Education (School Teacher appraisal) Regulations 2000.
  2. Conduct a national ballot by members in the autumn term 2001 to boycott the arrangements for performance management set down by the regulations.
  3. Produce materials for parents, governors and other trade unionists to explain the educational arguments against Performance Related Pay and performance managament while demanding that schools are funded adequately to provide the support, training and non-contact time that would really help teachers meet the meeds of this pupils.