JEANNETTE Williams, nurseryreception teacher at New Holland CEMethodist primary school, Barrow-upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire, said: “The whole performance-related pay thing has been a fiasco from the start. I didn’t agree with it, but thought I would complete the form because it was the only way we were going to get any credit for what we do.
“After spending four evenings and two days on the form I am stunned that now I just have to wait and see what is going to happen.”
Ian Clayton, headteacher of Acle high school, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, said: “I am in support of the principles behind performance-related pay. It has many advantages to the profession but the entire process has been rushed from the beginning. We have had poor training, the rules have changed and there has been lack of clarity.
“I do not understand the rationale behind the NUT’s action. Everybody agrees that this court action will not stop the process, it will only delay and this will simply add to stress and worry amon staff.
“As a professional association the NUT should be helping to remove stress from schools.”
June Cawkwell, head of Delf Hill middle school, Bradford, West Yorkshire, said:
“Bradford is part of the vanguard scheme and I am sure Mr Blunkett knows that we have completed our assessment and the external assessors have been in. Quite what it will mean if it all comes to a stop now I am really not quite sure. The message from the NUT seems to be stop doing it, but we will still make sure you get the pound;2,000. I don’t know how they’ll resolve that.”
Colin Whitfield, headteacher, Bolden school, Tyne and Wear, South Tyneside, said: “My staff are bitterly disappointed that, after all of the work they have done, progress is halted.
“We are on tenterhooks waiting with great interest for news which hasn’t so far come through. As a head who has put in countless hours of work which has now been shelved, I share the views of the teaching profession that this is an absolute calamity.”
