The NASUWT calls for withdrawal of threats by education minister to avert dispute with the Education Secretary
Headteachers considering converting to become one of the Coalition Government’s academy schools have received a threatening letter from Schools Minister Lord Hill.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the largest teachers’ union, the NASUWT,has written a scathing reply to the peer, and a letter to the Prime Minister, about the shocking bullying tactics and reckless flouting of the law by the Coalition Government evident in the letter.
Lord Hill has threatened headteachers that their bid for academy status is in jeopardy if they enter into any agreement with the NASUWT to maintain national pay and conditions of service.
The letter also offers advice on academy conversion that, if followed, would place schools in breach of their statutory obligations, leaving them vulnerable to legal action.
Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary,said:
“Quite frankly, I am astonished that a Minister would commit to writing such threats and deeply flawed advice.
“For a peer and a Minister to encourage the flouting of the law is, I believe, unprecedented.
“Lord Hill’s letter smacks of desperation. Things clearly are not going as the Coalition planned on academy conversion.
“The fact that Lord Hill has singled out the NASUWT for attack demonstrates that our message cautioning schools against academy conversion is frustrating the Coalition Government’s plans.
“Lord Hill’s letter now makes it absolutely clear that the drive for academy status is about demolishing the national pay and conditions framework for teachers.
“This letter will throw into turmoil academy conversion. Of the handful of schools which have converted or are about to convert, most are only able to do so without opposition because staff were promised that the national pay and conditions would continue to apply.
“Headteachers who have made these promises and entered into agreements need to take note that they may feel they are free to make choices but only those with which the Secretary of State agrees.
“Any headteacher reading Lord Hill’s letter will be left woefully misinformed and in serious danger of acting in breach of their legal obligations, leaving them and the school vulnerable to legal challenge and potential compensation claims.
“Lord Hill has provided a stark glimpse of the future under central government control, which academy status will bring. There is no doubt the future is bleak.
“Legal advisers inform us that matters raised in Lord Hill’s letter constitute grounds for a formal dispute between the Secretary of State and the NASUWT.
“I have asked that the Coalition Government provide urgent proposals to resolve this unacceptable situation to avoid progressing down the route of formal dispute.”
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