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Children’s Education at Risk by Cutting Teacher Numbers

Children’s Education at Risk by Cutting Teacher Numbers As Scottish Councils are setting education budgets for 2024-2025 the SSTA is receiving reports of education cuts with teachers and educational support staff numbers being reduced. Seamus Searson SSTA General Secretary said: “It's that time of the year again. Teachers are tired of being used as a ‘political football’ in the funding battle with the Scottish Government. The Councils have used this tactic in previous years to force money from the Government.…

SSTA Mobile Phone Survey

The SSTA has taken a stance to support teachers to use their own discretion when it comes to the use of mobile phones in their classes. The reason for this position was due to the poor access to computers, mobile devices and connectivity to the internet (WiFi). Over the past few years there has been growing concern that the use of mobile phones is impacting on pupils learning, their health and wellbeing and behaviour.The OECD United Nations has warned of…

Information for Members - 01/17/2024

SSTA Newsletter - December 2023

The December 2023 Newsletter is now available for members to download.SSTA Newsletter – December 2023The newsletter contains information on the following items: Message from the President Notification of the Election of General Treasurer SNCT Pay 2024-2025 2024 Subscription Fees Dignity and Respect at Work Artificial Intelligence (AI). Advice for Probationer Teachers Salary Scales

Information for Members - 12/22/2023

Members Bulletin - 14 December 2023

SSTA meeting with Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills The SSTA led by President Stuart Hunter met Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth in November to discuss Teacher Retention, Pupil Behaviour and Education Reform. The President was accompanied by Vice-President Monique Dreon-Gould, National Executive member Lynn Myles, and General Secretary Seamus Searson. The focus of the meeting was the retention of teachers, education reform and pupil behaviour. The SSTA highlighted the impact of excessive workload demands together with poor…

Bulletin - 12/14/2023

Member Bulletin - November 2023

Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research The Scottish Centre for Social Research published the latest ‘Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research (BISSR’) following a seven-year gap due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The research in 2023 explored the headteachers’, teachers’ and support staff members’ views of relationships and behaviour in publicly funded mainstream schools, as well as the views of key local authority representatives across Scotland. The research project can be found here. The SSTA believes that Covid-19 highlighted the increased difficulties that teachers were…

Bulletin / Information for Members - 11/28/2023

Education Cuts by Stealth are Hurting Children and Teachers

Seamus Searson SSTA General Secretary said.“Many local authorities have embarked upon a campaign of education cuts by removing education support staff in schools or not replacing them when they leave. This leaves an additional burden upon the teachers in schools who are expected to cover the work of the staff who are no longer there. Education support staff were appointed for essential educational purposes to remove this vital support by stealth is to fail the children and classroom teachers. Unfortunately,…

Information for Members / Press Releases - 10/26/2023

SSTA Member Bulletin – October 2023

Hayward Review The Independent Review Group led by Professor Louise Hayward published the final report ‘Our Future: Report of the Review of Qualifications and Assessment’ in June 2023. Recommendations in this report centre around a reduction of national qualifications and the introduction of a Scottish Diploma of Achievement (SDA) in the Senior Phase and with three mandatory elements: Personal Pathway, Programmes of Learning and Project Learning. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills has committed to taking views from the teaching profession…

Information for Members / Pensions - 10/19/2023

Cornmarket Protect

We are delighted to let you know that today sees the launch of Cornmarket Protect for our members. Using the combined buying power of the SSTA and Cornmarket we have been able to bring you a range of insurance cover for you and your family which includes: What's more, you can have all of this cover for only £22* per month! To find out more click on the video below Don't delay, click on the button below and start saving…

Information for Members - 10/16/2023

INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY OTHER TRADE UNIONS

The SSTA has been advised that there will be industrial action by education support staff unions next week in many local authorities. It is unlawful for any member of the SSTA to take industrial action where the SSTA has not given specific notice to the employer advising that action will be taken. Where members of another STUC-affiliated trade union are involved in industrial action, SSTA members should: report for work as normal set appropriate work for classes timetabled for the day…

Information for Members - 09/19/2023

SSTA Members Briefings – September 2023

The SSTA has arranged a series of in-person members briefings in September. Seamus Searson the SSTA General Secretary would like to meet with SSTA members to discuss the issues that face secondary teachers. This will include the Qualifications and Assessment Review, the Pupil Behaviour Summit and Teacher Health and Wellbeing. This is your opportunity to have your say. Stuart McCullough, Independent Financial Adviser from L-life Ltd will also be giving a presentation on the changes to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. This will…

Information for Members / Pensions - 08/17/2023