§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the dispute between the National Association of Schoolmasters and Governors of the Sacred Heart School, Redcar, a matter in which his officials have been concerned.
§ Mr. BoothThe present dispute arose following a Committee of Inquiry under the Chairmanship of Professor J. C. Wood into disputes involving the Teesside Local Education Authority, the Governors of the Sacred Heart School, Redcar, the National Association of Schoolmasters and the Union of Women Teachers. It concerns the appointment offered to Mr. J. Faye, the former Deputy Head of the Sacred Heart School, upon reorganisation of the school on comprehensive lines.
The committee recommended, inter alia, that Mr. Faye should apply in the national competition for the post of deputy head and that if he was not appointed the governors should consider the desirability of appointing him to a 287W permanent post of such seniority and status as would reflect his ability, experience and long service as deputy head of the former school. Mr. Faye was not successful in his application but was offered a newly created post of senior upper school tutor.
The governors consider that they have fully implemented the committee's recommendations; the National Association of Schoolmasters does not agree and has sought a reference to arbitration. The governors are not prepared to change their decision regarding Mr. Faye and are not prepared to refer the matter to arbitration. I have no power to make a reference to arbitration without the consent of the parties.
My conciliation officers have been in touch with representatives of both sides throughout this dispute and will continue to give whatever help they can.