A STORM of protest from Lancashire teachers, governors and education experts over plans to bring in performance-related pay has been discussed by councillors.

Lancashire County Council called a special meeting at County Hall yesterday of its schools and general purposes sub-committee over the proposals which has caused huge discontent among teachers.

The Government has published a Green Paper which has proposed performance-related pay and a new appraisal system which would be linked to the reformed pay structures.

Responses have already been given to the council by unions, diocesan and church authorities and school governing bodies.

Unions have described the moves in their responses as "potentially divisive" leading to a possible loss of teamwork. They have also accused the Government of implying that there is a lack of professionalism on the part of teachers.

They also describe the proposed new appraisal system as "too bureaucratic and administratively burndensome."

Church and diocesan leaders have criticised the lack of time allowed for responses and say the proposals could "lower the morale of the teaching profession rather than valuing teachers of proven quality."

Catholic school leaders have said the Green Paper does not take into account their religious character and distinctive nature.

School governing bodies have branded the plans "unworkable, inconsistent and a recipe for discontent and complained about the potential increase in workload for governors, who are usually volunteers and lay people, with regard to the increased frequency of pay reviews.

A report detailing all the responses was presented to councillors.

Teachers and governors in Blackburn and Darwen have already expressed their discontent about the plans with eight head teachers from the area having issued a joint statement criticising the Green Paper.

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