SATs ballot

It’s official. Both the Union and our colleagues in the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) will be balloting heads, deputies and assistant heads with a view to boycotting the KS2 SATs this year.

This would not, of course, be strike action. Schools will be open and children taught.

The constituency for this ballot is those who have a contractual responsibility for the administration of the SATs. Other colleagues will not be balloted but advice in relation to the ongoing education campaign about assessment will be sent out at the end of next week.

Both the NAHT and the Union will be advising on the proper role of classroom teachers in both the industrial dispute and the ongoing campaign.

Ballot papers will be sent out to relevant members from 15 March, with the ballot closing on 16 April.

Both the NAHT and the NUT will be encouraging those balloted to vote YES. We will also continue other activities such as members’ meetings addressed by myself and NAHT General Secretary Mick Brookes during March.

Stepping up the campaign

Over the coming weeks, further briefings and information on the ballot, together with updates on our wider educational campaign to end SATs will be sent out to members and posted on the NUT website. There will also be updates in The Teacher magazine.

In the meantime, if you have any questions on the campaign, please contact your NUT regional office.

Our assessment reform petition has now been signed by nearly 30,000 members and supporters. If you’ve not already done so, please sign it at www.teachers.org.uk/assessment.

Christine Blower
General Secretary
26 February 2010

Click here to view previous messages from Christine Blower, NUT, General Secretary