NASUWT's concern at new teacher appraisals in Wales

A teaching union has passed a motion at its annual conference condemning Welsh government plans for the way teachers are appraised.

From September a new performance management system will be put in place which the NASUWT says will require more form-filling.

The union fears a rising workload for teachers and heads.

The Welsh government said it did not want to overburden teachers but it was "imperative" standards improved.

The union said that currently teachers are appraised through a system of classroom observations and objectives are set.

The appraisee and appraiser later discuss what support and advice they need to meet the objectives.

However, now the Welsh government wants teachers to take part in "reflective practice", where they think about the work and lessons they have done and the training they have had, then record it in a form.

Quality professional development cannot be done on the cheap or in teachers' own time”

The NASUWT said there was no indication how long the form will be or the detail in them and urged the Welsh government to make them short, simple and concise.

It also wants time set aside in the school day for teachers to complete them and said the Welsh government must provide schools with additional funding so that the work is timetabled in the school teaching week.

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said that its members in Wales put workload at the top of the agenda when it comes to the issues that most concern them in their day-to-day teaching practice.

"Debilitating burdens distract them from teaching and learning," he said.

"Quality professional development cannot be done on the cheap or in teachers' own time."

NASUWT Wales organiser Rex Philips added: "We are concerned this new system of performance will place additional bureaucratic burdens on our members, affecting their work/life balance."

A Welsh government spokesperson said the education minister has made is clear that he wants to see standards improve across the board in Wales and teachers' performance was an important part of that process.

"Continuing professional development is at the heart of the minister's school improvement agenda," said the spokesperson.

"We in no way want to overburden teachers with additional workload but it is imperative that standards improve for the benefit of learners in Wales."