[senco-forum] URGENT - HELP - LOTS OF IT - REQUIRED - Judged afterone year

And how did it go today Greg?

Ruth/Greg

I have also replied to Greg on and off forum ... I have experienced similar
and stand by my original advice.

However, you are entitled to be line-managed; if there have been no meetings
with your line-manager - and these should be minuted and agreed - you have a
strong point in your favour.  Have you had Performance Management this year?
What were your agreed targets?  What training and/or support have the school
offered to help you meet those targets?

My view would be that they have little 'strong evidence' to force you out
and/or start competency proceedings.  

Document everything - write e-mails courteously but succinctly - asking for
action on their part - i.e. requesting support and/or advice etc.  When no
response - ask again - print everything out.  If you get replies that are
not helpful again ask nicely.

Keep the moral high ground.  Engage your LA SEN advisor for support.  Show
your are pro-actively seeking support outside of the school.  Ask to have
time to visit other local SENCos.

Greg, as I said previously I am surprised your UNION are not more
supportive.  I am in PAT [Professional Association of Teachers] and they
allocated my a retired Head for all my meetings etc.  He was nothing short
of brilliant, writing letters, meeting the Head, supporting me late at
night, early in the morning etc.........

http://www.pat.org.uk/ - it is never too late to join!!!  I know I am
biased, however personal experience means a lot to me!!!

It is most definitely not easy fighting these cases.

I know.

However, keep calm.  Don't let them grind you down into doing something that
does warrant competence proceedings.  Get some good support/advice from
whatever association and/or union you can.  Then weigh it up.

You need support to get through these things - and you can have anyone as
your rep/friend.  Do you have a respected colleague in school who could come
to meetings with you?  

I am, due to many complex commitments not able to offer anything directly
Greg, but if you do have further questions or documents you would like me to
cast my eye over I am happy to offer my opinion.

Best wishes, Gareth.

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Ruth Newbury
Sent: 04 February 2008 20:53
To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: [senco-forum] URGENT - HELP - LOTS OF IT - REQUIRED - Judged
afterone year - normal?

-----Original Message-----
From: Ruth Newbury [mailto:rmnewbury at ntlworld.com] 
Sent: 04 February 2008 20:37
To: gregory.lambert at btinternet.com
Cc: 1 - Ruth Newbury
Subject: RE: [senco-forum] Judged after one year - normal?

Dear All - I emailed Greg last night (see correspondence below) - and I have
spoken to him on the phone tonight - and he really needs some more advice
than I am qualified to give - and those of you who are currently working
within the maintained sector may be of more help.

He has been in post for a year - only person with an SEN qualification in
the school - likes working with SEN children.

Him - 9 LSAs - 3 full time - one doubles as admin assistant too.

25 period timetable - he teaches 18 hours of MATHS - not SEN - maths
department, has 4 periods for planning and preparation for lessons - and 3
hours for SEN a week!!!!!!!!!

Been at the school 12 years - just offered post of SENCo as he had SEN
qualification.

Line manager - assistant head - NO MEETINGS - EVER!  No training as a SENCo
(but going on a two day course this week to learn how to be one!)

Not part of SLT - not even invited to HOD meetings.

Not even given a copy of the CoP!

Does not know budget - no financial matters are sent to him - but he has
just found out that they go to his admin assistant.

He does not keep a day book ( has the poor devil time to do this I ask
myself?)

No help as how to be an HOD - no mentor.

If ever I saw someone thrown in at the deep end - this is it - and the SLT
have probably had meetings about how badly he is doing anjd then sat back
and watched him still struggle - doesn't anyone ever throw out the lifebelts
to anyone?

He has been offered no courses - doesn't know the SEN advisor for his area -
if ever I saw someone set up to fail -m this is it!

The NUT only appear to want to be involved if competency proceedings are
instigated.

I have told Greg to say nothing - apart from Good morning to his head and
deputy!  To say he needs more time to think about it - and to have no
conversations without a witness.

Why should he be judged regarding competency - when it currently appears
that he has actually received no help?

What should be the next move - I have suggested that he make more noises to
his Union - and that they should be there to go in with him when he next
sees his head - If I lived nearer to Lancashire - I'd go in with him - but
it's too far for me.

So ladies and gentlemen - what next!

Regards

Ruth

-----Original Message-----
From: Ruth Newbury [mailto:rmnewbury at ntlworld.com] 
Sent: 03 February 2008 19:34
To: 'Greg'
Cc: 1 - Ruth Newbury
Subject: RE: [senco-forum] Judged after one year - normal?

How much of this have you got documented?

For example = do you keep a day book?

And write in it EVERYTHING that you have done each day?

If you have it documented - keep going.

How much do you have records of?

What is your line manager doing to support you?

If they are not supporting you - why not?

How often have you been meeting with your line manager?

My phone number is 01462 811801 - of you would like more assistance
(amateur) than I can write on an email - and I will be available AFTER
UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE - IF THAT would help you.

Personally I get more than a little pissed off when this sort of thing
happens again - and again - and again!

And gareth is right - look for a new school if you are not getting the
support than any successful SEN dept needs to operate.

Regards

Ruth

-----Original Message-----
From: Greg [mailto:gregory.lambert at btinternet.com] 
Sent: 04 February 2008 17:58
To: Ruth Newbury
Subject: Re: [senco-forum] Judged after one year - normal?

Hi Ruth,
Thanks very much for asking... but it seems no matter how much I believe in 
supporting SEN kids.. the writing seems to be on the wall...

I have contacted the NUT, today. Their response was a little disappointing. 
They basically said, that if I wished to continue as SENCo the head would 
start, 'capability procedures'. Nothing more the NUT could do.

So, it seems I either relinquish the SENCo role, losing TLR1 (£6500) or go 
to, 'capability procedures'

I am not at all happy about being, 'picked on', through no fault of my own.

If anyone is to blame it is the TA's (who failed totally to inform me of 
certain requirements) the line manager and the LEA for failing to provide 
any support to a new SENCo.

Just seems totally unfair to me.

Thanks again Ruth for your support - much appreciated.

Take care,

Greg

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ruth Newbury" <rmnewbury at ntlworld.com>
To: "'Greg'" <gregory.lambert at btinternet.com>
Cc: "1 - Ruth Newbury" <rmnewbury at ntlworld.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 4:41 PM
Subject: RE: [senco-forum] Judged after one year - normal?

> And how did it go today Greg?
>
> Best wished
>
> Ruth
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Greg [mailto:gregory.lambert at btinternet.com]
> Sent: 03 February 2008 13:59
> To: Ruth Newbury
> Subject: Re: [senco-forum] Judged after one year - normal?
>
> Hi Ruth,
> On Friday I was asked to, 'consider my position' and to let them know by
> Monday if I was continuing in the role of SENCo. The head muttered 
> something
>
> along the lines of, "We can't leave the kids in limbo". As if a day or two
> is going to make any difference.
>
> I feel, like you, that a weekend is totally insufficient and inadequate 
> time
>
> for me to reach a qualified decision.
>
> I am very certain that I was not told that it would be, 'formally reviewed
> at the end of one year with a view to your continuation or not?
> Not sure what my contract of employment says... I thinks thats at school.
>
>
>
> I have tried to phone my area NUT rep, Friday evening and again 
> yesterday -
> no reply - left an aswer on her answer phone. Seems the NUT only work 9 to

> 5
>
> Monday to Friday. So, will attempt to get in touch with them tomorrow.
>
>
>
> I like your advice on not saying anything - I'll follow that though. It is
> difficult not to reply when someone is attacking you, when you know 
> yourself
>
> that you are doing a, 'damn good job' - someone else told me that - 
> cheered
> me up a bit.
>
>
>
> Anyway, once again Ruth, many thanks for all your help and support.
>
>
>
> Take care,
>
>
>
> Greg
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ruth Newbury" <rmnewbury at ntlworld.com>
> To: "'Greg'" <gregory.lambert at btinternet.com>
> Cc: "1 - Ruth Newbury" <rmnewbury at ntlworld.com>
> Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 1:26 PM
> Subject: RE: [senco-forum] Judged after one year - normal?
>
>
>> When did the head tell you that he wanted an answer?
>>
>> Because I would advise that you do not go in and say anything - and I 
>> mean
>> ANYTHING - without a witness with you - and that you phone your area 
>> union
>> rep this afternoon!
>>
>> If you have only been given days - unreasonable - were you told that this
>> would be formally reviewed at the end of one year with a view to your
>> continuation or not?
>>
>> What does your contract of employment say?
>>
>> And all this from a mere amateur too!!!!!
>>
>> And Greg - I have been set up a number of times - but I only got caught
>> out
>> - really caught out ONCE!
>>
>> But before you say anything - and get what your head wants in writing -
>> ask
>> him for it - and say that you want to be really clear about what he is
>> asking you - and why - so that you are really ready for him to have a
>> truly
>> considered answer from you - say nothing off the cuff apart from Good
>> Morning! - and May I have that in writing!
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Ruth
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Greg [mailto:gregory.lambert at btinternet.com]
>> Sent: 03 February 2008 13:20
>> To: Ruth Newbury
>> Subject: Re: [senco-forum] Judged after one year - normal?
>>
>> Hi Ruth,
>>
>> Really appreciate the response. I have received no help/advice from the
>> SLT.
>>
>> I was, 'expected' to get on with it and learn on the job - this is what I
>> believe.
>>
>>
>>
>> I will follow your advice and get in touch with my union first thing
>> tomorrow. But, the head is expecting me to give him an answer whether or
>> not
>>
>> I continue as SENCo tomorrow!
>>
>> I think he has already made the decision. I think I have been, 'set-up'.
>>
>> Problem is, I really enjoy working with the SEN kids - when time allowed.
>>
>> Also I am the only member of staff with a qualification in SEN.
>>
>>
>>
>> But, thanks very much Ruth, you have helped and supported me in the past
>> when I was asking lots of questions on this forum. So, your kindness is
>> much
>>
>> appreciated.
>>
>>
>>
>> I like your anaology about doing a 'Moses' job - brought a smile to my
>> face - thank you.
>>
>>
>>
>> Take care,
>>
>>
>>
>> Greg
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Ruth Newbury" <rmnewbury at ntlworld.com>
>> To: "'Greg'" <gregory.lambert at btinternet.com>;
>> <senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk>
>> Cc: "1 - Ruth Newbury" <rmnewbury at ntlworld.com>
>> Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 12:46 PM
>> Subject: RE: [senco-forum] Judged after one year - normal?
>>
>>
>>> In your dreams!
>>>
>>> It might be if you have the real backing of your SLT regarding your
>>> image -
>>> time - resourcing - staffing - how much change they want etc!
>>>
>>> Or are you doing a Moses job?  (Being required to make bricks without
>>> straw!)
>>>
>>> Contact your Union - the area rep.
>>>
>>> Regards
>>>
>>> Ruth
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
>>> [mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Greg
>>> Sent: 03 February 2008 12:23
>>> To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
>>> Subject: [senco-forum] Judged after one year - normal?
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I have been in post (SENCo) for one year. The head and assistant head
>>> consider that was enough time for me to learn the job, which was new to
>>> me.
>>> After working all the hours god sends for these disadvantaged/low
>>> attaining
>>> children, (not complaining - I enjoy doing it!) this is not enough for
>>> the
>>> head and assistant head. They want me out. I teach 18 hours a week - 
>>> they
>>> have given me 3 hours a week to do the job (they are adamant that is
>>> enough
>>> time) - I do have an admin assistant, 850 on role - 84 on SEN register.
>>>
>>> So, the question is: is one year the normal length of time for judging?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Greg
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> 