Heads threaten action over workload

Head teachers today threatened industrial action in schools unless the Government delivers its promise to cut teachers' workload.

The National Association of Head Teachers issued a stark ultimatum to Education Secretary Estelle Morris, warning that members were prepared to work to rule, ignoring government initiatives and exams targets.

Delegates at the union's annual conference in Torquay were expected to call on its leadership to ballot on action this autumn, unless heads were "convinced that a funded programme to reduce workload has been established".

The move puts extra pressure on Ms Morris, who has promised to ease teachers' burdens - accepted by the Government as one of the reasons staff are quitting the profession - but is bidding for £600million in this summer's spending review to fund her pledge.

Last month, the School Teachers' Review Body published a raft of proposals to reduce workload, which were accepted in principle by the Government.

They include a proposal to cut teachers' hours from the current average of 52 to 45 within four years, to guarantee teachers time during the working day to mark and prepare lessons and to give heads more "management time".

Today, NAHT general secretary David Hart said the threat of industrial action from his members was real if this plan was not implemented. "We will not be talking about strike action or anything that will damage children's education," he said. "But heads are willing to take unilateral action to reduce their own workload, if these promises are not fulfilled.

"We need a package of reforms like that proposed by the STRB and the money from the Chancellor to pay for the extra teachers and support staff to translate them into action.

"If that is in place by September, everybody will be happy. If not, the Government will have a fight on its hands."