Joint Consultative Committee (teachers) - 12/12/2000

At a MEETING of the JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TEACHERS held at Dundee on 12th December, 2000.

PRESENT:-

Councillors

Representing Management

Representing Trade Unions

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor Dave BEATTIE, Jim PETRIE and Richard WHYTE.

Councillor George de GERNIER in the Chair.

I MINUTE OF MEETING HELD ON 13TH JUNE, 2000

The minute of the meeting held on 13th June, 2000 was received as a correct record.

II VIOLENCE AGAINST STAFF

The Director of Education intimated that she had met with the teaching unions and positive discussions had taken place regarding dealing with incidents of violence against staff. A draft letter has been produced which will be sent to staff following receipt of a Violent Incident Form.

It was agreed to change the form in order that more information can be obtained about each incident.

The awareness campaign will be re-launched and it was felt that the improved procedures will result in more incidents being reported. A monitoring exercise will continue to be undertaken to look at any underlying trends and to focus on specific incidents.

III ALLEGATIONS AGAINST TEACHERS

The procedural guidelines paper was welcomed by both teachers and management. A lot of work had gone into this paper and it was felt that a leaflet should be provided to all Teachers/Head Teachers explaining the contents and spirit of the guidelines.

It was agreed that in the light of experience in implementing the guidelines changes could be made as this was seen as being a flexible document. A training programme has been arranged and details will be circulated.

IV ACTING UP ARRANGEMENTS

Eric Baillie welcomed this paper as it was felt that acting up appointments were important for staff and that the paper reflected a positive way forward.

It was agreed to proceed with the arrangements as contained in the paper subject to review at an appropriate date. Further discussion will take place on a monitoring system for such appointments.

V SECURITY AUDIT

A paper was submitted detailing what has been undertaken and spent on individual schools in relation to security. It was agreed that head teachers should carry out individual safety audits on their schools in order to assess the effectiveness of the measures implemented and report their findings to the education department.

The Director of Education undertook to ensure that all safety measures have been undertaken.

VI HIGHER STILL/SQA

Comment was made on the situation that had arisen earlier in the year over the problems associated with the SQA and the provision of exam results. It was felt essential that there be no repeat next year of the problems that were experienced earlier with exam results and that while there was a route for Higher Still Co-ordinators to raise concerns there was currently no such route for SQA Co-ordinators who felt that their concerns and those of other teachers had not been taken into consideration.

The Convener stated that he agreed on the points raised about the SQA and did support the points raised by teachers. He also felt that teachers had done a tremendous job in retrieving the situation that had occurred. A draft letter to be sent to SQA/SEED seeking assurances that there would not be a repeat of this year's problems by the Director of Education was circulated.

Paul Clancy, the department's Higher Still Co-ordinator updated the Committee on the implementation of the Higher Still and outlined problems that have arisen and steps which have been taken by SQA/SEED to ensure things operate more smoothly. Clarification is being sought on a number of issues.

The Convener stated that as everyone is very concerned about this matter he felt that when a response is received to these concerns that it may be necessary to reconvene the JCC. It was further agreed that efforts would be made to help the 1% of children still at school who are still not happy with appeal results and that network meetings for SQA Co-ordinators would be set up.

VII DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Mr Baillie indicated that he would be making a request of the Convener to convene a special meeting of the JCC early in the New Year to consider the report of the Education Morale Working Group. The Convener indicated that he would consider that request and respond.

The next stated meeting of the Committee is Tuesday, 13th March, 2001 at 9.15 a.m. in Committee Room 3, 14 City Square, Dundee.

APPENDIX IV