Research from the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) shows that three out of four primary schools across the country are being forced to make cuts next term in order to allow teachers to have guaranteed Planning, Preparation and Assessment time (PPA). More than one in 12 schools are being forced to sack staff - but not in Islington.<br><br>The PPA is part of a new national agreement, which guarantees that all teachers have 10% of time away from the classroom for marking and preparation. Islington listened to schools’ assessments of their priorities as well as local trade union representatives and set aside additional money in advance, ensuring that no school in Islington will be making budget or staffing cuts in September when the new law comes into effect.<br><br>Islington appears to be the only authority in the country to have fully funded guaranteed Planning, Preparation and Assessment time (PPA) for all teachers in Islington’s primary and nursery schools. In consultation with the Schools’ Forum*, a total sum of £1 million has been set aside to allow all schools to fund the extra cost of giving teachers 10% of their time away from the classroom to spend on lesson preparation and marking.<br><br>School children will also benefit from the additional PPA funding. Schools will spend their money in a variety of ways to make sure that pupils get a good deal. For example, specialist teachers will be employed to cover classes and there will be extra music, dance, drama and sports lessons for all pupils.<br><br>Councillor James Kempton, Islington’s Executive Member for Children said: ‘Giving teachers proper time for planning, preparation and assessment will have a major impact on recruitment and retention, as well as helping to raise standards in the classroom. Neither of these objectives can be achieved if schools have to make other teachers redundant to fund it. We are proud that a sensible approach to budgeting and planning has meant that none of our schools will need to make any staffing or budget cuts. <br><br>‘Islington is committed that this additional funding will not be a one-off, but an essential continuing cost that allows both teachers and pupils to benefit from the new law.<br><br>‘We already have the fastest improving secondary schools in the country and we hope that these measures will help us to raise achievement in the primary sector in the same way.’<br><br>Ends
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009