The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions document specifies that the earliest the first increment may be paid is two years from the date of passing the threshold. As the first round was backdated to September 1, 2000, this means that, subject to satisfactory assessment of performance, the first increment could be available on September 1, 2002.

One of our teachers is refusing to speak to me, his head, without his union representative present. This teacher has been on the verge of capability procedure. What should be my reaction?

It is reasonable for a teacher to be accompanied by a friend in formal meetings of a disciplinary nature. But it is totally unacceptable to impose such a condition on day-to-day talks between a head and staff. This is explicit in the conditions of service which require him to work “under the reasonable direction of the head”. It would be hard to establish that it was unreasonable to be asked to communicate with the head in connection with the performance of his duties.