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Members' Briefing

SSTA Members' Briefing 2022

The SSTA has arranged a series of in-person members briefing in September.
 
Seamus Searson the SSTA General Secretary would like to meet with SSTA members to discuss the issues that face secondary teachers (to include the 10% teacher pay claim, the future of national qualifications and the progress of the Muir review). This is your opportunity to have your say.
 
Stuart McCullough, Independent Financial Advisor from Llife Ltd will also be giving a presentation on the changes to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme ,“How to Control your Pension and New Pension Calculator?”.

A list of upcoming dates and venues are shown below. The briefing will start at 5.00pm and will be repeated at 7.00pm on each date. Please select the briefing you would like to attend and complete the registration form to book your place.


Yours sincerely
Seamus Searson
General Secretary

SSTA Members Briefings 2022

Information for Members / Pensions - 08/22/2022
Members' Briefing

SSTA Members Briefing and Pensions Update 2021

The SSTA has arranged briefing sessions for members in the coming week.

The General Secretary, Seamus Searson, will give the latest information regarding Covid-19, national qualifications and the Education Reform review. There will also be a presentation on the impact of the Teachers’ Pensions consultations and the changes due to take place in April 2022 by Stuart McCullough, Independent Financial Advisor from Llife Ltd.

The briefings will be conducted remotely and will take place on:

Please select the briefing you would like to attend and complete the registration form to book your place using the links above.

Information for Members / Pensions - 10/25/2021

Members Update - 5 February 2021

 
First Minister Statement – Reopening of Schools 22 February 2021
The First Minister made a statement to the Scottish Parliament on 2 February that it is her intention to reopen schools to some pupils on 22 February.
 
This decision is to be confirmed in two weeks (16 February 2021). The statement raised a number of issues that are still to be resolved as the detail had not been discussed with teacher unions.
 
The SSTA has been advised that updated reducing risks and mitigating risk guidance, together with the Education Scotland technical guidance regarding the limited senior phase return for practical activities, will be published by Friday 12 February.
 
SSTA Advice
 We know that schools will start preliminary work in preparation for a possible reopening of schools on 22 February but the SSTA advises that:

  • Detailed plans are delayed until the receipt of the guidance on mitigation measures, defined practical activities and number of pupils permitted is confirmed.
  • Remote Learning will continue for all remaining pupils and additional time must be made available to undertake the additional preparation and correction
  • Plans for a change of timetable during the summer term must be deferred as teaching and learning for senior pupils will need to be continued until the submission of qualification grades on the 18 June.
  • Teacher numbers in schools must be restricted to a minimum to reduce the exposure to, and transmission of, the virus
  • Teachers who are required to supervise pupils in school are unable to contribute to remote learning
  • Vulnerable and shielding teachers must continue to work from home
  • Teachers with child caring responsibilities must be encouraged to focus on remote learning from home
  • All Risk Assessments must be reviewed in light of the new variant of Covid-19 and any changes to local authority level status
  • Schools need to focus on teaching and learning and all other ‘normal’ school activities need to be withdrawn or deferred to a later date. This includes parental consultations, annual pupil reports, tracking and monitoring, etc.
  • All changes in working practices need be agreed by the school’s Working Time Agreement Committee.

 
Government Covid-19 Advice
 The ‘Advice from the Covid-19 Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues’ has been revised and published on 3 February 2021. This document outlines the phased return to in-person learning in schools and early learning and childcare (ELC) settings. It includes the evidence to support the Government’s decision and mitigations necessary to support a safe return.
 
Asymptomatic Testing of School Staff
The Scottish Government are putting in place a testing system for all school staff. The testing kits are to be issued to schools in the coming weeks. Tests are to be undertaken twice a week. Please see the ‘Asymptomatic Testing in Scottish Primary, Secondary and Special Schools, and ELC Providers – fact sheet’ 
 
Risk Assessments
Following a meeting with the local authorities it has been agreed that all Risk Assessments must be under constant review particularly in light of the new variant and that the Government guidance needs to be followed. Trade unions in local authorities and individual establishments should be fully involved and consulted on the updating and revision of existing risk assessments.
 
Public Sector Pensions
The Government response to the consultation on the implementation of 2015 Public Sector Career Average Pension Scheme that was found to be discriminatory on grounds of age has been published.
 
The government will proceed with the deferred choice underpin. This approach will mean all eligible members are members of their legacy scheme for the period between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022, known as the remedy period.
 
Eligible members retiring after implementation will get a choice of whether to take legacy or reformed scheme benefits for the remedy period when their pension benefits become payable. Legacy schemes will be closed in relation to service after 31 March 2022.
 
An accompanying leaflet provides a high-level summary of the government’s policies and who is affected by them can be found here.  For full details of the consultation and Equality impact Assessment can be found here.

The Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme - Retirement Workshop
A recording of one a recent Retirement Workshop’s is now available to view on the SSTA website. The workshop, hosted by L-Life Ltd, concentrates on the decisions you will/are being faced with at retirement. The workshop runs for approximately 1 hour and looks at:-

  • The Teachers’ Pension Scheme – how it works and the options that you have
  • How you can top up your pensions in preparation for Retirement
  • How to apply for your pension
  • Money management & investment choices

COVID-19 / Information for Members / Pensions - 02/05/2021
Retirement

Retirement Workshops

The Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme

Retirement Workshops

In these “Interesting Times” many people are now seriously considering retirement and wondering how and when they will be able to afford retire.

How will I be able to meet my bills?
How do I get the best from my Pension?
How do I make my money last?

L-Life Ltd, in conjunction with the SSTA, would like to invite you to a free virtual workshop concentrating on the decisions you will/are being faced with at retirement.

The workshop will run of 1 hour and look at:-

The Teachers’ Pension Scheme – how it works and the options that you have
How you can top up your pensions in preparation for Retirement
How to apply for your pension
Money management & investment choices

The workshop has been arranged with the permission of the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association and is open to all members who are thinking about retirement.

The workshops will take place online on:

  • Tuesday 19th January 2021 at 5pm
  • Thursday 21st January 2021 at 5pm
  • Monday 1st February 2021 at 5pm
  • Wednesday 3rd February 2021 at 5pm

To book your place please go to the events section of the website and choose the workshop you would like to attend and complete the registration form.

Life-Long Investment and Financial Expertise

L-Life Ltd is directly authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.
L-Life Ltd is entered on the FCA register (www.fca.gov.uk/register) under reference 714672.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate Inheritance Tax Planning and Will Writing.

Information for Members / Pensions - 01/08/2021
Pension pot

Pension Consultation – closes 11 October 2020

The Government are currently consulting with all members of the public sector pension schemes which includes the Scottish Teachers Pension Scheme. This is regarding the unjustified age discrimination in relation to the transitional arrangements to the 2015 pension scheme.
 
Within the consultation they are asking you, the scheme member, to make a choice. It's very important that you understand what this choice is and the implications that it could have. The consultation paper is 74 pages long and can be summarised in one question.
 
Background
In 2015 a new Public Sector Career Average Pension Scheme was launched. Depending on your age you were

  1. placed into the career average scheme on the 1 April 2015
  2. given ‘linear taper relief’ which meant that there was a delay before you were moved into the career average scheme or
  3. given protected status which meant that you did not have to go into the new scheme.

Following the McCloud case the Court of Appeal ruled the pension reforms unlawfully discriminated against young members. The government accepted that it was discriminatory on grounds of age and that the situation must be remedied.

Remedy
The government has interpreted the court ruling that members who were in their original scheme prior to the 1 April 2012 will have the ability to have any service accrued under the new scheme transferred back to their original scheme, up to the 31 March 2022.

At that point, any future benefits accrued by the member will be allocated to the Career Average Scheme that was launched in 2015.

Whilst this is an interesting interpretation of the court ruling, further negotiations on this point are continuing. It's important to note that this is not the question asked in the consultation.

Consultation
The choice you are being given is that

  1. you should make the selection for your benefits to be moved back to your legacy scheme at the end of the remedy period (31 March 2022) or
  2. you have the ability to delay this choice until the date you decide to retire.

 
The Government’s Preferred Choice
The governments preferred choice is that you, the member, make the "immediate choice" as to whether you feel your benefits would be better in your original scheme or the Career Average 2015 scheme. Their argument is that this will help them calculate the funding of the schemes going forward.
 
The SSTA Position
The SSTA Salaries, Pensions and Conditions of Service Committee has considered the consultation and is of the view that it is impossible for you to know which outcome would be best as you will only know your personal situation at the point of retirement.
 
The SSTA would therefore urge you to vote for the "deferred choice underpinned". This will give you the right, at retirement, to choose the best option that suits you as opposed to the option that suits the government and the pension scheme.
 
The SSTA will be submitting a detailed response to the government consultation.
 
How to participate in the consultation
The consultation closes on the 11 October 2020 and we would encourage all members of the pension scheme to indicate their choice.
 
Your response can be submitted by email using the following address:
 
PensionsRemedyProjectConsultation@hmtreasury.gov.uk
 
Alternatively you can send your response by post to:—
 
    Pensions Remedy Project Team
    HM Treasury
    2/Red
    1 Horse Guards Road
    London
    SW1A 2HQ
 
You need to give your name and your superannuation number (GTCS number).
 
The SSTA suggests you use the attached wording as there is no prescribed format or form that has been provided.
 
“I am responding as an individual in relation to the consultation addressing the unjustified age discrimination in relation to the transitional arrangements to the 2015 pension scheme.
 
Following the Court Judgement discussed in the consultation document I wish to express my disappointment at the Government’s interpretation as I do not believe that the proposed action provides adequate remedy.
 
The legal definition of remedy is “a way of using the legal system to make sure that someone's rights are not taken away from them.” 
 
The Government has previously set a precedent. It has changed public sector pension schemes on numerous occasions over the last 20 years. Up to and including the pension reforms of 2007/08 any new schemes launched were available to new members, allowing existing members to remain in their legacy scheme.
 
As it is the proposal that legacy members will be forced into a new pension on 1st April 2022 this will be discrimination on grounds of age which means that remedy has not been given.
 
In response to question 6 my view is that the “delayed choice underpin” is the fairest of the two options but fails to recognise the rationale of being forced into a new pension.”
 
You can find links below to the Consultation Paper as well as a brief presentation, produced by the Government Actuary’s Department, for your information and if you have any questions or queries please feel free to contact the Association.

Consultations / Information for Members / Pensions - 10/02/2020
Retirement

Pre-Retirement Seminars 2020

In conjunction with Stuart McCullough from L-Life Ltd, the SSTA is holding a number of Pre-Retirement seminars at the beginning of 2020.

These seminars are designed to give guidance to members who are considering retiring in the next few years. Members are advised to gain information that will assist in planning the next step in their future. A list of dates and venues of the seminars is shown below.

DateTimingCityLocation
Monday 03 February17:30-20:00GlasgowMercure City HotelBook Place
Wednesday 05 February17:00-19:30EdinburghSSTA Head OfficeBook Place
Thursday 20 February17:00-19:30DundeeQueens HotelBook Place
Wednesday 26 February17:00-19:30AyrMercure Ayr HotelBook Place
Wednesday 4 March17:00-19:30AberdeenAberdeen Northern HotelBook Place
Wednesday 18 March17:00–19:30InvernessBest Western Palace Hotel & SpaBook Place
Information for Members / Pensions - 01/15/2020

Members Bulletin - 20 September 2019

National Qualifications - Multi-Course Teaching 

The SSTA conducted a members survey at the end of the last session on the extent of ‘Multi-Course’ teaching in S4 classes. The SSTA received 1,247 responses that showed a wide disparity of practice across Scotland. The survey results will be published next week and will complement the Education and Skills Committee Report seeking a review of the Senior Phase.

The SSTA has continuously campaigned on the unfairness, to both pupils and teachers, of multi-course teaching and your support through the survey is the evidence to bring this issue to the fore.
 

Additional In-Service Days 2019 to 2020
 
As part of the package of wider measures agreed by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers relating to the 3-year pay deal, it was agreed that two additional in-service days should be made available during the current academic year to allow schools to focus on key issues such as workload, additional support and empowering schools.
 
There was a recognition that workload was, and still remains, a significant issue for teachers.  A condition of the unions in accepting the pay award, there were to be mechanisms put in place to address workload as part of the nationally agreed conditions of service for all teachers. This is non-negotiable in so far as that these two days are to be used.
 
Activity relating to excessive workload or unnecessary bureaucracy should focus on sustainable, strategic solutions whether at whole school or department level. 
 
Please follow the link to detailed SSTA guidance.

 
Teacher Pensions - Update

The outcome of the legal challenge (McCloud & Sargent) regarding Public Service Pension Schemes and the transitional arrangements that were introduced in 2015 to help protect those members of the schemes closest to retirement. This case has shown that the transitional protection discriminated members of the scheme on the grounds of age.

The SSTA has been in discussion with the Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) on this matter.   The SSTA fully expects the SPPA to implement the required changes and it is anticipated that any member who may have been disadvantaged will be dealt with fairly.  As  the case has already been won on behalf of firefighters and judges, the principles established in this case should change the teachers’ scheme too.  The SSTA will continue to engage in existing collective bargaining arrangements on  members behalf. The SSTA is aware that some members have been approached by outside bodies regarding pursuing personal claims at their own expense. SSTA does not believe there is any merit in members engaging with such bodies as the process is on-going at the with the SSPA. If you have any concerns regarding your situation please contact SSTA Head Office at info@ssta.org.uk 

 
Removal of Recognising Positive Achievement (RPA)

The interim measure of ’Recognising Positive Achievement’ – the automatic fallback to National 4 –  came to an end at the close of the 2018-2019 session. From session 2019-20, candidates who are unsuccessful in their National 5 course assessment but who have passed a combination of SCQF level 5 freestanding units, and the National 4 added value unit, will no longer achieve the National 4 course. Learners will be certificated for the qualifications in which they have both been entered for and have achieved – subject to quality assurance. Please follow link to SQA document  
 
The SSTA advises that pupils must be prepared for the appropriate National Qualification based on teachers’ professional judgement. Pupils should continue to be presented for qualifications at the most appropriate level for their needs. This is to ensure unnecessary workload for both teacher and pupil are managed during the school session. Unfortunately, previous experience has shown pupils on the margins are placed under considerable workload and stress levels that should be avoided.

 
National Qualification Malpractice

The number of cases of qualification malpractice has been steadily increasing over the last few years and can leave teachers’ careers in jeopardy.  SQA will highlight all incidences of malpractice to the employer who will carry-out an investigation that may require a period of suspension, disciplinary proceedings and dismissal. All dismissals are referred to the GTCS and teachers may be removed from the GTCS register.
 
SSTA advises all members to acquaint themselves with the current requirements and procedures laid down by the SQA in all matters of national qualifications. SSTA members are also advised not assist or amend pupils’ work. If members are being coerced or placed in compromising positions from any source within or out with the school they should contact the SSTA Head Office for advice at info@ssta.org.uk.

Bulletin / Information for Members / Pensions - 09/20/2019
Retirement

Pre-Retirement Seminars 2019

In conjunction with Stuart McCullough from L-Life Ltd, the SSTA is holding a number of Pre-Retirement seminars at the beginning of 2019.

These seminars are designed to give guidance to members who are considering retiring in the next few years. Members are advised to gain information that will assist in planning the next step in their future. A list of dates and venues of the seminars is shown below.

You can book a place at a seminar by clicking on the links below.

 

The seminar in Glasgow on the 5th February is now fully booked.  An additional Seminar has been added in Glasgow on Thursday 28th February 2019.

Pre-Retirement Seminar

Information for Members / Pensions - 12/21/2018
Members' Briefing

SSTA Members' Briefing 2018

Seamus Searson the General Secretary would like to meet with SSTA members to discuss the issues that face secondary teachers (pay negotiations, workload and education developments etc.) and how we protect and improve conditions for members. This is your opportunity to have your say. A list of upcoming dates and venues are shown below.

Stuart McCullough, Independent Financial Advisor from Llife Ltd will also be giving a presentation on “How to Control your Pension and New Pension Calculator?”.

Agenda

  1. General Secretary – Members’ Update,
    • Teachers’ Pay Negotiations 2018
    • Career Pathways Committee
    • National Qualifications – changes and reducing workload
    • Education Bill – Headteacher Charter, Regional Improvement Collaboratives
  2. How to Control your Pension and the New Pension Calculator? (Stuart McCullough, Independent Financial Advisor, Llife Ltd)
  3. Members Questions

The briefing will start at 5.00pm and will be repeated at 7.00pm.

To book a place click on the briefing you would like to attend and complete the registration form at the bottom of the page.

 

Information for Members / Pensions - 08/23/2018
Members' Briefing

SSTA Members' Briefing 2017

Seamus Searson the General Secretary would like to meet with SSTA members to discuss the issues that face secondary teachers (pay, workload, SQA etc.) and how we protect and improve conditions for members. This is your opportunity to have your say. A list of upcoming dates and venues are shown below.

Stuart McCullough, Independent Financial Advisor from Llife Ltd will also be giving a presentation on "How to Control your Pension and Retirement Date?".

Agenda

  1. General Secretary - Members’ Update,
    • Teachers’ Pay 2017-2018
    • Proposed Teachers’ Career Structure
    • National Qualifications
    • Teacher Workload and Industrial Action
    • Governance Review
  2. How to Control your Pension and Retirement Date? (Stuart McCullough, Independent Financial Advisor, Llife Ltd)
  3. Members Questions

The briefing will start at either 5.00pm and be repeated at 7.00pm

Places for the briefing's can be booked on this page

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Places for the briefing's can be booked on this page

Information for Members / Pensions - 08/15/2017

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info@ssta.org.uk

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