Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Thursday, 4 November 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 November 1999. It was answered by Baroness Morris of Yardley (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 November 1999 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what appeal procedures will be available to teachers who are dissatisfied with their assessment under performance related pay.

Answer: Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what appeal procedures will be available to teachers who are dissatisfied with their assessment under performance-related pay. [97937] Ms Estelle Morris: Under the proposed arrangements for the new performance threshold, heads would assess teachers against the threshold standards. Accredited external assessors would work with heads to ensure national consistency. There will be no appeals against individual threshold decisions, but unsuccessful teachers will be able to re-apply each year. It is envisaged that headteachers would be responsible for reviewing the outcomes of teachers' annual performance reviews, and that where governing bodies make decisions about discretionary pay awards to teachers, these would be informed by the outcome of performance reviews. The governing body would continue to have statutory responsibility for pay decisions and it is envisaged that appeals will continue to be dealt with under schools' grievance procedures.

Secondary information