Association of Teachers and Lecturers
Manchester Branch
July 2007 Newsletter
Branch Secretary – Liz Lawson
Tel/Fax/Answering Machine: 01625 575686
Regional Official – Christine Barnett
Tel/Fax/Answering Machine: 0161 661 7266
If you change school or your home address it would be helpful if you could let me know or ring Headquarters (020 7782 1602) so that we can keep our database up to date.
Also if the Rep in school changes, or dare I say someone volunteers to be the rep, please let me know. Thank you.
Primary Places Review
The review of the Primary Schools has been completed and a very large document with all the findings and recommendations has been produced.
Many of the recommendations have since been changed for a variety of reasons.
The end result is that Burgess Primary School will close 31 st August 2007. Nicholas Varley and St Mark's CE Primary Schools will close August 2007 and a new school will be established in their place from September 2007. These proposals will go to the School Organisation Committee (SOC) in February.
Academies and Building Schools for the Future (BSF)
The Manchester Model for Academies has hit the National headlines!
The Expressions of Interest for first three Academies have been sent to the DfES they are:
The second batch of proposed sponsors for the remaining academies are the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Microsoft and the Co-operative group.
As part of the BSF programme it is proposed there will be changes to the single sex provision in the city.
MEP Review
We have a new team headed by Mr Pete North who is overseeing this review. Progress does at last seem to being made. They are doing it in small sections now which does seem the sensible way to go about it, go back to how it used to be when everyone knew who did what!
Performance Management
The new system for Performance Management does not come into effect until Sept 2007.
The Model Performance Management Policy is still in draft form at present as not all members of RIG (Rewards and Incentives Group) are in agreement with its content.
SEN Review
There is little to report on this review but you may have heard about a new special school, Southfields, and wonder where and what it is! It is based at the site of Roundwood, an MLD special school that was closed last July as part of the inclusion programme. It is now an annex of Southern Cross, one of the ESBD provisions in the city and is going to provide places for about 20 children. Our Lady's and Plant Hill High Schools have now got Inclusion Centres which provide support for students with behavioural problems.
BRANCH MEETINGS
Meetings take place at The Slug and Lettuce on Wilmslow Road in Didsbury Village .
Refreshments are served at 4.15 p.m. and the meeting starts at 4.30.p.m. We aim to finish by 6.00.p.m.
Everyone is welcome but please let me know if you are coming along so that I can alter the numbers for refreshments.
The meetings for the rest of this academic year are:
AGM ** Thursday 17th May 2007 **
Thursday 12th July 2007