Firstly a big thank you to all the members who returned the WAMG monitoring forms to me. ATL managed an 85% response rate from the reps that were consulted. They make interesting reading when compared with the data sent in by many head teachers. The inconsistencies that they highlighted will form a large part of the local WAMG work in forthcoming months and into the start of next year.

Lesson observation grading has been well aired at meetings between the unions and the LA. A number of head teachers have been emulating Ofsted practice by grading lessons which they observe for Performance Management purposes. This is not required either by PM regulations or Ofsted. ATL's view is that in insensitive or hostile hands the grades become a way of demotivating staff by making crude judgements. Performance Management ethos means you start from a position of assuming that the teacher is meeting all the standards. The whole process is about support and continuing professional development and Ofsted grades are irrelevant and misleading in this context. Indeed, they are not fit for this purpose! Even the best teachers have room for development. Of course, head teachers may wish to their own assessments for their own assessments for their school's SEF, but they are not trained Ofsted inspectors, and grades have no place in a proper PM system.

All the teaching assistants and school support staff have been 'consulted' regarding their job profiles. This has been a nationwide exercise with some LAs way out in front. This has not been the case with Warrington, especially with the bungled first attempt on level 3 and 4 descriptors which led to much unnecessary anxiety. The use of the same generic descriptors for all NJC posts across the LA was bound to lead to confusion. Clearly, the pilot scheme did not elicit this. Like all other unions, ATL is monitoring this fluid situation on behalf of its members.

My final request in this update is made to all female members in the branch who may become expectant mothers. Please ensure that you alert your employer in writing the moment that you find you are pregnant so that an immediate Pregnancy Risk Assessment is carried out. By tendering the information in writing you are complying with the Health & Safety at Work Act and your employer must act in compliance as well. The factors to be considered in this risk assessment are clearly set out by the HSE and are there to protect the physical and psychological well being of the expectant mother. Do not contemplate delay. Please inform me immediately if the risk assessment is not undertaken within a 3 day working period.