ISP -
This programme currently operates in 25 Nottingham primary schools and is part of the national ‘Primary Strategy’.
Nottingham NUT has been contacted by many members working in ISP schools who have raised concerns about aspects of the programme and the way it is being managed. Although some teachers have reported on positive aspects of ISP, there also seems to be a range of concerns. Some of these are to do with teacher workload, whist others relate to educational matters.
The NUT has raised these with the Local Authority and they agreed to set up a joint committee with the trade unions to look in detail at the issues we have identified. However, we would like more views, positive or negative, from teachers operating ISP in schools.
We held a members’ meeting on 28th February 2007 to allow them to share their experience of ISP. The meeting was well attended and we very much appreciated hearing the views expressed.
Some members were unable to attend or found it difficult to raise their views in the meeting. They have nevertheless provided essential written comments and we have compiled a document drawing together the key responses we have received. We presented these to the City Authority during our negotiations. The views will also be forwarded to the National Union to support consultation with the DfES.
The meeting went on to approve an amendment for submission to NUT Annual Conference.
This seeks to amend the motion on the Primary Curriculum so that national policy
specifically supports teachers required to implement non-
We would still welcome any further observations about ISP from teachers who are working in ISP schools. A brief email, however short, will suffice. Send comments to john.illingworth@nottsnut.co.uk.
ISP Update
Officers of Nottingham NUT have now had two meetings with representatives of the Local Authority to discuss ISP. The discussions have been concerned with both the educational impact of ISP and the workload implications for teachers. Although we are making progress in the talks, there is clearly a mismatch between what the LA thinks is happening in ISP schools and what you, our members, are telling us.
We therefore agreed that a joint LA and trade unions anonymous survey will be conducted amongst all staff working in ISP schools. We hope that this will provide an accurate, honest and detailed picture of what is happening. We want to know how effective ISP is, what extra workload it creates, whether the associated CPD is helpful and anything else those working on ISP want to tell us.
If you are asked to complete a survey please do so and please be completely honest. We hope the survey will confirm the depth of concern expressed to us by members. The LA have also agreed to improve the communication with teachers working in ISP schools.
We understand that the ISP survey has now been circualted to at least some schools. It had been agreed that the wording of the survey would be agreed with the NUT and other Unions. Sadly we were not even consulted on the survey’s content. This is symptomatic of Nottingham City’s failure to consult the recognised Unions representing teachers properly.
The potential benefit of the survey has been seriously undermined by the unilateral approach of the City Council . We are making representations to them but are pessimistic about an outcome which will reduce the clear difficulties being experienced by many teachers in schools.
However, we remain determined negotiate some improvements in ISP.
Meanwhile, if excessive ISP related workload is wearing you down contact the Union
and we will support you. Contact us at secretary@nottingham-