| SSTA calls for Curriculum Improvement Cycle delay At its October Council meeting, the SSTA raised concerns about the expectation that the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) could be introduced in August 2027 without sufficient time being provided for effective implementation. Against a backdrop of an increasing shortage of specialist secondary teachers, alongside the ongoing struggles faced by teachers simply to keep the current education system afloat, the SSTA believes that any major curriculum change must be put on hold. Members were particularly dismayed by both the arguments presented and the attitudes displayed by ADES and COSLA during evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Gaelic Committee on 22 September 2026. Members perceived a lack of enthusiasm for delivering the reduction in class contact time (RCCT) for secondary teachers and expressed serious concerns that the commitment to deliver this by 2029 will not be achieved. To see presentation https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/education-and-gaelic-committee-september-22-2026 SSTA Council resolved to protect secondary teachers from unrealistic expectations and excessive workload arising from the introduction of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle. The SSTA believes that, if secondary teachers are to have the capacity to engage meaningfully with major curriculum reform, the implementation of the CIC should be delayed until after the reduction in class contact time has been delivered for secondary teachers. The SSTA will be seeking a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic to discuss a range of measures to address the shortage of specialist secondary teachers, including Lead Teachers, and to seek a realistic delay to the Curriculum Improvement Cycle. The message from SSTA Council is clear: secondary teachers cannot be expected to deliver major curriculum reform while they are already struggling to sustain the current system. |
| What is a Lead Teacher? Lead Teachers were introduced in the SNCT Handbook in August 2021 following recommendations in the ‘School Teacher Career Pathway Report’. To date a small handful have been appointed despite SNCT reminding employers of the importance of these roles in March 2026. The SSTA is not convinced that these Lead Teacher positions are in line with the guidance in the SNCT Handbook. JS/25/87 Three levels of Lead Teacher School based – includes duties of a classroom teacher (PT2-£61,818) Local Authority -includes duties of a classroom teacher (QIO1-£78,696) Regional/National – may include the duties of a classroom teacher (QIO3-£87,810) Extract from SNCT Handbook “School based Lead Teacher The role of a school-based Lead Teacher and the following in a stage, department, faculty, school or cluster as appropriate: a) Provide a lead role in the development of an area of specialism. b) Lead career-long professional learning opportunities on their area of specialism. c) Share, demonstrate and model effective practice in their area of specialism. d) Provide support for the professional needs of colleagues on their area of specialism. e) Collaborate through, and contribute to, local, regional and national networks related to their area of specialism. f) Keep abreast of developments in content and methodology related to their area of specialism.” Please see links on description of all three Lead Teachers SNCT Lead Teacher Career Pathways report Feb 21.pdf SSTA is adamant that the implementation of the Lead Teacher will be valuable tool in retaining experienced secondary school teachers and will have a major in any future curriculum, assessment and qualification developments. |
| Wesleyan Webinars Following the successful launch of Wesleyan webinars for SSTA members in September a further seminar for October is now available. This will give them more options, over and above the sessions set up for SSTA members. These sessions cover: Scheme specific sessions for two categories of clients – those closer to retirement and those who have more time to plan. The distinction between the two is clearly stated on the registration page Life Changes & Retirement Planning – Exploring how changes in personal circumstances, lifestyle priorities, family commitments, and career plans can impact retirement planning decisions. Preparing for the Changing Retirement Landscape – Looking at how changes to pension and tax rules may affect retirement plans and highlighting some of the opportunities available to help strengthen future financial wellbeing. The registration link can be found below. Please use your personal email to prevent firewall issues in some councils. Campaign – Autumn series webinars for teachers |
| Health and Safety Training Day – Monday 2 November The SSTA Health Safety & Wellbeing Committee are hosting a training day for all Health & Safety Representatives on Monday 02 November 2026, at the Stirling Court Hotel. You can view the agenda for the day here. Registration opens from 9.30am. Lunch and refreshment will be provided. Travel Expenses will be provided for attendees. You can register for a place on the SSTA website. Note : All Health and Safety representatives are entitled to paid time off to attend training. It is your employer’s duty to allow it under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977, Regulation 7. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the event, and in the interim, any questions regarding the event itself then please email: info@ssta.org.uk |
| It’s Not Workload, It’s Stress Over 700+ secondary teachers are backing our #ItsNotWorkloadItsStress Charter. We’re calling on Government to deliver urgently needed change, see the demands below. – Real time to implement the new curriculum. Not two token in-service days, but a meaningful plan. – Lead Teachers in every secondary school and every subject. – A Workload Impact Assessment on every new initiative, so nothing else gets dumped on secondary teachers. – A pause on new initiatives while the Curriculum Improvement Cycle is rolled out. – Mental Health First Aiders in every secondary school, because the stress this job causes is real, and support should be too. Add your name and share here |
| SSTA STANDING UP FOR ALL TEACHERS IN SECONDARY EDUCATION |