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ATL Conference 2008
The order of the day on Wednesday in sunny Torquay was pay and conditions.
Resolutions included a call for equitable terms and conditions between senior and more junior members of staff, a heated debate on the links between performance management targets, pupil results and pay progression, and fair pay for independent schools and FE. There was also lively discussion on issues such as lowering the school leaving age and diplomas.
The morning's debating was interrupted for a speech from Minister of State for Schools and Learners, Jim Knight. He touched on the new support staff working group, continuing professional development, and diplomas - new figures show 72 per cent of schools and 90 per cent of colleges will be involved in consortia by September 2009. He also welcomed the interim report of the Primary Maths Review, published on Wednesday, and ATL's new position statement on rural poverty.
Delegates posed a number of questions on controversial issues - including academies, class sizes and the government's lack of trust in teachers. These topics were also restated in the vote of thanks delivered by Phil Jacques, ATL's Executive member for Dorset - to vigorous applause from the auditorium.