by Ann Ballinger, Former General Secretary of the SSTA

A number of Tory MPs have recently stated their desire for Scottish Education to become part of the English educational system. I thought it might be helpful to take a look at how schools in England operate.

First, and perhaps most important difference, is that some English schools follow a National Curriculum (NC) but a surprising number can amend the curriculum, and for a wide variety of reasons.

Community schools are Comprehensives controlled by the local council and follow the NC. They will all have a Board of Governors who make a variety of admin decisions like appointing new staff but do not alter the curriculum.

Free Schools are all-ability schools funded by the Government but run by a Charity, community group, faith group or business. The Governors can change the length of the school day and term, set different pay and conditions for staff and can amend the national curriculum.

Academies are run by a governing body, are independent of local councils and can follow a different curriculum. If you think that’s a good idea, think again. Have you a spare couple of £1M to invest and a pet theory you’d like taught in school? Academies are just the thing for you! My all-time favourite example is Intelligent Design taught, not in RMPS where it belongs, but in the science dept as an alternative theory to Evolution.

Grammar Schools can be run by a Trust, by the Local Council or by a Foundation Body and select pupils on the basis of academic ability. Effectively they operate the 11+ system which operated in Scotland some 30+ years ago.

City Technology Colleges are independent schools that do not charge a fee. They’re owned and funded by companies and central government but not by local councils. They have a particular emphasis on technological and practical skills. A cynic might suggest they replace a rounded education and skillset with fodder for local companies to use.

Faith Schools come in all of the above varieties. Most of them will follow the NC except for RE/RMPS where they are free to teach only their own religion.

Fee-paying Schools (known as Public Schools in England) are free to teach a curriculum of their own choosing. About 7.2% of 13yr old English pupils attend a fee-paying school. By age 16 that figure rises to 17%.

A Teacher’s salary and conditions of service depend on what type of school you work in. In recent years England has moved to a graduate profession and most teachers in schools will now have a degree. There is no Probationary year and an NQT is thrust straight into the job market usually via the supply route.

The Burgundy Book, remarkably silent on working hours but has 4 pages on policy for redundancy, governs teacher conditions. A pay and conditions document covers working time and is worth quoting:

“A teacher may be required to teach and perform other duties for 1,265 hours (directed time) each year, allocated reasonably throughout those days in the school year on which s/he is required to work. In addition, a teacher is required to work “such reasonable additional hours as may be needed to enable the effective discharge of their professional duties”.”

Imagine trying to work that one out when you’re asked to take a class or attend a meeting! It works out at 6.5 hours per day plus reasonable additional hours. All depends on your definition of ‘reasonable’ I suppose! Absence cover is most likely to be provided by a Learning Assistant unless the absence is in excess of 3 days in Primary or 1 day in Secondary.

I’ll leave you to work out what you think of these conditions and if you’d like to work in this environment. The pay is slightly better though.