ASTI - Ireland's main second level teachers union

The following outline agreement was reached between the parties to the Teachers Conciliation Council on 13th October 2008.

1. New Arrangements

There will be five criteria for selection each carrying a weighting of 20 marks

• Seniority
• Knowledge, Understanding and Capacity to meet the needs of the job
• Capacity to contribute to the overall development of the school
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Capacity to contribute to the overall Organisation and Management of the school

Seniority will be reckoned as follows:

Service in the school or scheme

The service in the school or scheme of the most senior applicant will qualify for 20 points.  Using that service as a base line, it will be divided by four in order to establish four quartiles.

All applicants in the top quartile will each receive 20 points
All applicants in the second quartile will each receive 15 points
All applicants in the third quartile will each receive 10 points
All applicants in the lower quartile will each receive 5 points

Service as a teacher in another school or scheme

Any teacher who has service in another school or scheme recognised by the Department of Education and Science, where such service is a minimum of the value of 1 quartile in the competition in question will be moved to the next higher quartile than justified by service in the school, subject to not exceeding 20 points overall mark on seniority.

2. Phasing

Permanent Posts

2009-2010 - The current arrangements will apply

2010-2011 - Two-thirds of the available permanent posts at Assistant Principal level and two-thirds at Special Duties level will be filled under the current arrangements.

One third of the available permanent posts at Assistant Principal level and one-third at Special Duties level will be filled under the new arrangements.

2011-2012 - The same arrangement as 2010-2011

2012-2013 - The same arrangement as 2010-2011

2013-2014 - One half of the available permanent posts at Assistant Principal level and one half at Special Duties level will be filled under the current arrangements.

One half of the available permanent posts at Assistant Principal level and one half at Special Duties level will be filled under the new arrangements.

2014-2015 - The same arrangements as for 2013-2014

2015 onwards - All available permanent posts at Assistant Principal level and Special Duties level will be filled under the new arrangements.

Temporary Posts

The new arrangements will apply to all temporary appointments to Assistant Principal and Special Duties Teacher w.e.f. the commencement of the 2012/2013 school year.  Existing arrangements will continue to apply to such posts up and to the end of the 2011/2012 school year.

Interview Process

During the transition period the interviews for all posts (Temporary and Permanent) will be carried out using the full set of criteria listed above, but the marks will be adjusted, in order to reflect the different values for seniority, that currently exist.

3. Appeal System

A single appeal system will apply across all sectors to ensure that the correct procedures are followed.  This system will apply to all appointments from the commencement of the transition period.  The Appeal Board will consist of a nominee of the union, a nominee of the management authority and an agreed independent Chairperson.

4. Composition of the Selection Board

In the VEC Sector

The composition of the Selection Board will be:

CEO or the nominee of the CEO (may be the principal)
VEC representative (member)
Independent member to be drawn from a panel to be agreed with the Union(s)

The CEO or his/her nominee will not act as Chairman.

In the C&C Sector

The composition of the Selection Board will be:
School Principal (will not act as Chairman)
Trustee nominee
Independent member to be drawn from a panel to be agreed with the unions

In the Voluntary Secondary Sectors

The composition of the Board will be:
The Principal
A nominee of the Board of Management
Independent Chairperson to be drawn from a panel agreed with the unions.

In the Primary Sector the current arrangements will continue to apply.

5. Appeals System for Appointment to the Posts of Principal and Deputy Principal

There is agreement in principle to the introduction of an appeal system in the case of appointment to the posts of Principal and Deputy Principal.  Discussions will commence between the parties to give effect to this agreement.