BBC News Online: Education

Unions condemn Woodhead bonus

Mr Woodhead has been recommended for up to a 10% performance bonus for his achievements this year as chief executive of the Office for Standards in Education.

The extra payment, worth over £10,000 a year, follows a year in which Mr Woodhead has been dogged by scandal in his personal life - with claims and counter-claims about a relationship with a former pupil.

Teachers' unions have also been incensed by Mr Woodhead in the past year, for what they saw as his unsubstantiated claims about the failings of teachers.

"If there have been improvements in school, it's because of the work of teachers. But once again, it's teachers who get the blame and others who take the credit," said Nigel de Gruchy, the general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers.

Mr de Gruchy also pointed to the discrepancy between the criticisms of Chris Woodhead in the recent Education Select Committee report on Ofsted and the award of merit pay.

As teachers are set to be appraised for additional payments, under the government's proposals for performance-related pay, the National Union of Teachers also questioned whether Mr Woodhead had performed sufficiently well to receive a merit increase.

According to an NUT spokeswoman, Mr Woodhead had been a "demoralising force" in education.

"The Select Committee has slapped Chris Woodhead's wrists, but the government has given him a bonus. What kind of message is that sending?" said the spokeswoman.

Mr Woodhead's performance and whether he is entitled to a bonus is decided by the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education, Sir Michael Bichard.

While Sir Michael has decided that the chief inspector has merited a bonus for his performance this year, a figure has not been decided, says the Department for Education.

Under the terms of Mr Woodhead's contract, he can be awarded an annual maximum bonus of 10% of salary. After a 34% rise last year, Mr Woodhead is believed to be earning £115,000 per year.

The Office for Standards in Education declined to comment on whether Mr Woodhead is to receive a performance bonus.

Relevant Stories

Woodhead: 'I am paid to challenge mediocrity' (14 Jun 99 | Education)
Pro-Woodhead group for 'unsung' teachers (27 Apr 99 | Education)
Union keeps heat on Woodhead (17 Apr 99 | Education)
Woodhead to face more questions on affair (31 Mar 99 | Education)
Minister backs Woodhead (07 Feb 99 | Education)

Internet Links

Office for Standards in Education
National Union of Teachers
National Union of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Links to other Education stories