Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association

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School Closures: Further Information & Advice

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The situation is constantly changing and I would like to take the opportunity to give further information and advice.
 
The SSTA advice to members can be found on the SSTA website.
 
School Closures
Please find link to latest SNCT circular 20/75 School Closures. I would like to highlight the following:
 
Spring Break Community Hubs will be open over Spring Break for vulnerable children and for children of key workers who cannot make their own childcare arrangements. The Community Hubs should be staffed on a volunteer basis and any holiday time worked will be paid back (*either as pay or a time off in lieu to be taken during the normal summer term of session 2019-20.) Specific arrangements will be determined locally across each of the 32 Councils. Teachers on supply lists should also be given the opportunity to provide cover for Spring Break.
 
SSTA Advice

  • The schools (not school buildings) will be closed during the spring break and members will not be required to provide materials for pupils.
  • All teachers and pupils are on leave during the spring break
  • The community hubs will be staffed by volunteers who should have leave reallocated when the school session is due to return.
  • Community Hubs need to prepare a schedule for the supervision of pupils and a rota for available staff.
  • Members must not attend work if you have not been assigned a specific child caring responsibility.

Working from Home
Please find link to SSTA detailed advice on Working from Home. I would like to highlight the following SSTA Advice:

Online Communication

  • Do not engage in live face to face or audio discussions with learners using online video or webchat.
  • Only use official channels of communication e.g. GLOW and work e-mail addresses and be aware of, and comply with, employers’ policies and guidance.
  • Do not exchange private phone numbers, personal e-mail addresses or photos of a personal nature with pupils.
  • If recording video resources, take care to obscure anything in the background which may compromise your privacy or professionalism.
  • Be aware that anything shared online is not private.

Teacher Workload and Reducing Bureaucracy

SSTA Advice

  • Members who volunteer to undertake child supervision duties should not be expected to provide online work, etc. for their normal classes during that time
  • Usual management procedures should apply and no additional procedures should be introduced
  • Members should not be asked to provide confidential or medical information on themselves or members of their households
  • No new paperwork for gathering evidence of pupil attainment or teacher professionalism should be developed
  • Members should not be required to submit daily lesson plans or records of work undertaken
  • Members should aim to follow their normal working pattern as far as possible
  • Members who have caring responsibilities should be encouraged to limit the time spent on work related matters
  • Members should focus their time on learning and teaching and not take on any other tasks required by others
  • Members should be allowed to manage their available time in a professional manner

SQA National Qualifications

SSTA Advice

  • The SQA plans to provide further details on the estimation of grades required from teachers and lecturers to inform certification as soon as possible
  • Although pupils may be aware of target and estimate grades, teachers must not give pupils any assurances of anticipated final grades
  • It will be the duty of the SQA to inform learners of their formal grades and to ensure that certification processes are robust and defensible
  • Teachers should not be gathering any further coursework or any other materials
  • Members are not required to, and SSTA advises members not to, submit predicted grades

Finally

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