Since I last reported to you, some issues now appear to be finalised: Woolston High School is set for eventual closure and Grappenhall Hall Special School will become an 11-16 establishment. Regarding Woolston School the LA have been supportive of the situation for staff and they have promised to continue to be proactive. Various support plans have been devised for consideration and the school staff will be kept informed on a regular basis as agreement is reached. I will be discussing these matters with the other professional associations (before this letter goes to print) to ensure that we have a common approach and prevent rumour mills! At Grappenhall no pupil will suffer any detrimental effect from the re-designation of the school, as this will be phased in. Additionally, provision will be made for post holders of residential allowances.

Our local WAMG group is monitoring the implementation of the PPA provision and the reduction in use of teachers for cover. All Warrington schools have completed a return to the LA. In most cases it was the Head who completed the return. The 3 professional associations have undertaken to complete a return from a member at each school to 'compare and contrast' that sent by the Head. We have divided up the schools between us. Do not be surprised if you are phoned to answer some questions! Please give 10 mins. of your time so we can check the accuracy of your school's return.

All members are requested to check that they are paying the correct pension contribution. Please ensure that the figures tally on your payslip. Your pension contribution should be 6.4% of your gross salary. Part timers: if you have moved from full time to part time please check and ensure that you are paying pension contributions. Usually the LA assumes that you have opted out, unless you inform them to the contrary. It is your responsibility to do so. Also, when you receive your annual statement of pension contributions, please check that you can account for any missing years and that they have not been omitted in error. Much unnecessary worry can be avoided if this is done now rather than waiting until you are coming up to retirement. Contact me if you are uncertain about any pension issue.

I have been representing several members on contractual issues. Often these are just oversights by the employer and are easily be remedied. The 'non-oversights' are remedied too, if necessary after a few words with the LA. Please alert me to any such problem rather than letting it fester.