Press Release
EOA NEWSLETTER – May 2008
1 May 2008
Election for EOA Board of Trustees - Spring 2008
Can we please remind members to vote ASAP. The original closing date for voting was April 30th. We have extended this by a week to the 6th May and any final votes will be accepted up to 5.00pm on that day.
Lobby Issue:
Jobs and re-grading
As some of you will have gathered the EOA have been campaigning in the press on your behalf. The issues over re-grading have been raised with Ed Balls, Jim Knight and the DCSF and we have had a very supportive statement from the Department.
The EOA has been invited to discuss such matters over the next few weeks and be assured the EOA is chasing unions on the advice they are giving to Local Authorities.
If you have any comments or concerns over your particular role please contact virginiacashin@examofficers.org.uk and title your e-mail "Concerns over Role"
EOA Conferences – July 2008
Our July conferences are fast approaching and we are delighted that so many of you have already booked your places. At this stage there are still places available at both venues.
Dates
South - Heythrop Park Hotel (Nr Oxford) – Mon 30th June & Tues 1st July
North - Shrigley Hall Hotel (Nr Macclesfield) – Tues 8th July & Wed 9th July
Both events begin at 2pm on Day 1 and end at 4pm on Day 2.
Conference Programme
As well as the opportunity to take time out networking with your colleagues in a pleasant countryside setting the Conference programme will include the following:
- Stress Management Training
- A presentation on Access Arrangements with updates from JCQ and other experts.
- Awarding Body Clinics where delegates will be able to raise issues and ask questions.
- Workshops on Crisis Management, IT Systems and Professional Development Training (BTEC qualifications)
- Assertiveness Training
Cost
The cost will be £290 plus VAT to include Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch on Day 2 as well as professional training sessions.
Note, there will also be discounts for delegates who wish to share a room – the cost will be reduced to £250 each. For anyone interested in attending Day 2 only the cost will be £165.
If you have any further queries please call us on 0118 965 3448 or email: info@examofficers.org.uk
EOA Website Upgrade
We must first apologise to all for the delay in the launch of the new EOA website and we ask for a little patience over the next few weeks as we add and test new functionality. We will write to you again when the new site is up and running. Please note the new website will be found at: www.examofficers.org.uk (previously www.examofficers.org)
Attached to the new site will be our Online training system which will give members far easier access to their courses and give us the ability to link databases, resources and activity between the website and the Online provision.
Unfortunately we have had to shut down the online system temporarily. Once the new site is up and running members will have access to their courses. In the meantime the old website is still available and you can access it in the usual way.
CCTV
According to some reports in the press you might think the EOA has developed CCTV cover across the country and is pushing it into every centre come what may. Completely untrue! We did a straw poll of our members to gauge reaction. The majority of those who responded felt it might be worth taking it further to help serve their needs. The article in the TES seemed to have touched a cord and the media picked this up through the BBC newsfeed and blew it out of all proportion.
I have been totally misquoted by many of the press, but at the same time it gave us the opportunity to refer many back to the TES article on the plight of exams officers.
So watch this space on CCTV. Some centres may find it very helpful and the EOA will try and support their needs. If the whole thing is rejected then we must chase alternative options on your behalf.
Can I add that the EOA has, for the first time been invited to attend a JCQ meeting, so gradually your voice is being heard further afield. What we now need to move towards is to turn that voice into influence. To do this we must continue to promote the development of a professional workforce if we are to be taken seriously.
Redstone Pilot update
There is still plenty of opportunity to get a taste of the newly developed software - so why not contact us and be included in the FREE pilot.
If you have any further queries please call us on 0118 965 3448 or email: virginiacashin@examofficers.org.uk and title your e-mail "Redstone Pilot"
In the meantime, as you enter the busiest time of the year, we hope the forthcoming exam season goes well.
Andrew Harland and the EOA Team