School Reps' Handbook > The role of the School Rep
Approaching the Headteacher or Principal
The following points are designed to help you when approaching your Headteacher or Principal on behalf of an individual member or the NUT school group:
Regular meetings
Ideally you (and the other union reps) should meet regularly with your Headteacher/Principal so that consultation can take place, issues and problems can be raised and difficulties avoided. It is helpful to agree an agenda beforehand (with both side able to put forward items) and to have the meetings minuted. If you're not having regular meetings - isn't it time to ask?
Resolving problems
Often it is better to attempt to solve a problem at school level by approaching the headteacher/principal, rather than asking the NUT to contact the LEA.
Get your facts right!
Ensure that your facts are clear and accurate - notes can be a help. If the problem/difficulty has been raised by members it may be wise to have a meeting to ensure that you are fully and accurately appraised of the facts.
Timing
Try to fix a convenient time in advance to properly discuss the matter with the Headteacher or Principal at a reasonable length and free from the pressure of the school routine.
Take a colleague
It is useful to meet the Headteacher or Principal with another member of the Union when you are having formal discussions. The Headteacher/Principal cannot object to this.
Establish your role
Clearly but politely indicate that you are making the approach in your official capacity as School Representative.
Ascertain the facts
Initially, in discussion attempt to ascertain the facts with the Headteacher or Principal - keep preconceptions to a minimum.
Avoid confrontation
Adopt a general approach that if a problem exists, it is best that there be an amicable response so as to avoid frictions and confrontations developing. Stress that you have the best interests of the school and the staff at heart, just as the Headteacher/Principal has.
Calm but firm!
Keep to the point at issue and attempt to maintain a calm and reasonable but nevertheless firm attitude.
Take notes
Take notes of the discussion - they may be helpful later in refreshing your mind and in reporting back to your members.
Firm but courteous
Don't be afraid to show displeasure at a response but do it in a firm and courteous way losing your temper won't particularly help!
Ask for an adjournment
If you are not achieving a resolution of the problem be prepared to terminate the discussion in a courteous way indicating that you will need to seek Union advice and assistance at a higher level.
Seek advice
Remember, you do not need to reach an agreement. You can always adjourn the meeting to go back to Union group and seek advice or discuss the issue further.
Report back to members
Always report back to your members.
Remember: You are a Representative. Don't allow your Headteacher/Principal to make issues personal. Establish that when you are speaking in this role it is to put forward the views of NUT members and s/he must respect that. Also, you are not obliged to disclose how many members have attended a union group meeting or what was discussed there - only the decisions taken.