16+ Learning Choices Policy and Practice Framework

16+ Learning Choices is being implemented across Scotland as the Scottish Government's mechanism for ensuring an offer of a place in post-16 learning for every young person who wants it.   The 16+ Learning Choices Policy and Practice Framework has been developed to support implementation and sustainable delivery.   It sets out the Scottish Government's policy on 16+ Learning Choices; its expectations for implementation; and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the wide range of partners involved in supporting young…

Indicative Ballot on Industrial Action but not Strike Action

Indicative Ballot on Industrial Action but not Strike Action: Closing Date 25 June 2010 The Association has had a series of meetings with the Cabinet Secretary over the last few months to explain our concerns over the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence. At every stage we have been clear about what teachers need to successfully implement the new curriculum. With less than two weeks left of this term little progress has been made and huge concerns remain. An indicative ballot…

Teacher Union Ballots on New Curriculum

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, representing 8500 Secondary Teachers, is to hold an indicative ballot on the Scottish Government's proposals for a new curriculum for Scottish schools. Following a meeting of the Executive Committee today SSTA General Secretary, Ann Ballinger commented "Our members will be balloted on the same issues which have concerned us since the early days of the Curriculum for Excellence proposals, namely: Inadequate curriculum guidance for teachers planning the implementation of this initiative. A complete lack of…

Bulletin no 418/10 - 28 May 2010

PrintableVersion 1. REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT Many of you will have received a copy of the Association CfE survey by email. The Association hopes to use this method of communication as often as possible for 2 reasons To reduce our carbon footprint To reduce our postal costs and to assist in maintaining our annual subscription at the lowest possible rate. If you are willing to participate in this method of communication, please email the office at info@ssta.org.uk, add "carbon footprint"…

SQA Subject Working Groups

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SQA's Curriculum for Excellence Progress Reports

  The first of SQA's Curriculum for Excellence Progress Reports are now available to view on the dedicated Curriculum for Excellence pages of the SQA website.     The Reports represent the next stage in the development process of the next generation of national qualifications to support Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) and are an important opportunity for all stakeholders to provide their feedback on the development.   A feedback facility is available on the SQA website.   Reports have been…

Keynote speech by Lindsay Paterson, Professor of Educational Policy, University of Edinburgh

Printable Version st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } 1 ASSESSMENT AND CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE [(1) Introduction] My intention today is to ask some questions about the role of assessment in encouraging sound learning, with particular attention to Curriculum for Excellence. I'll be dealing with the actual proposals made for the National Qualifications, but I'll also deal with the role of assessment more generally. Two general principles seem to be at the heart of Curriculum for Excellence: the importance of students' believing in themselves, and…

Advice to members employed by Glasgow City Council

The Association is aware of the decision of the Council to terminate the contracts of many long-term temporary teachers. The validity of any such dismissals will be discussed with the relevant members. The Association is also aware that the effect of the loss of these teachers will be substantially addressed by instructions to headteachers to re-timetable existing classes. The Association is clear that there is no contractual impediment to the concept of re-timetabling and advises members as follows: 1. Members…

President's Address, Annual Congress 7/8 May 2010

President's Address Peebles Hotel Hydro 7 May 2010 It's been thirteen years since an SSTA Congress coincided with a UK General election. The result then was rather different from the one we face today of course. But, whatever judgement History finally makes on the events of the last thirteen years, there are one or two lessons for us as trade unionists and of course not a few consequences also. For obvious political reasons, none of the party leaders have been…

SSTA Position on CfE Not Changed

Dear Colleagues SSTA POSITION ON CfE NOT CHANGED You will know by now that the Management Board have recommended not to delay implementation of CfE in secondary schools after assurances from the Cabinet Secretary. Our representative on the Board (Peter Wright) decided he had no choice but to accept the Cabinet Secretary's assurances after Michael Russell stated he was "absolutely committed to make sure the problems are solved". At its meeting on Friday 24 April Executive reaffirmed its continued demands…