Election of Vice President 2009-2011

Margaret Smith, District Secretary in Fife and member of Executive and Council will be the Association's Vice-President for the period 2009-2011. She defeated Richard Goring, also a member of Executive and Council, in the recent ballot. We extend our congratulations to Margaret and commiserations to Richard. The report of the balloting agent, Electoral Reform Services, is below. ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT 2009-2011 Our report of voting for the above election which closed today at noon is as follows: Number of…

Post of General Secretary

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association is Scotland's second largest teachers' trade union, serving the needs of secondary teachers throughout Scotland. The Association seeks to appoint its most senior official following the retirement of the current post holder. The post is based in Edinburgh. Candidates should be able to display leadership and innovation and have a genuine interest in education and the welfare of its practitioners. A background in trade unionism is desirable but not essential. The post of General Secretary…

RETIREMENT OF DAVID EAGLESHAM, GENERAL SECRETARY

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association today confirmed the early retirement of its General Secretary, David Eaglesham with effect from the end of December 2008. The Council of the Association had already been informed of Mr Eaglesham's intention to retire early. Mr Eaglesham was employed by the Association for 14 years, and took up the post of General Secretary in 1996, following the deaths of his predecessors Alex Stanley and Alan Lamont in 1995 and 1996 respectively. James Docherty, the Depute…

Bulletin 412/09 - 12 January 2009

1. RETIREMENT OF GENERAL SECRETARY The Association announces the retirement of the General Secretary, David Eaglesham, as of 31 December 2008. David has served as Assistant General Secretary and General Secretary since 1994 and 1996 respectively. We take this opportunity to wish David well in the future. Jim Docherty, current Depute General Secretary, will hold the post of Acting General Secretary until the appointment of a new General Secretary in spring this year. Alan McKenzie (currently Professional Officer and Past…

Report of the Accounts Commission: Improving the School Estate

SCHOOL ESTATE STRATEGY WORKING GROUP Report of the Accounts Commission: Improving the School Estate The SSTA would comment on the Report as follows. Too little attention is given in the Accounts Commission Report to the concerns raised by those working in new and refurbished schools, the vast majority of which were built or adapted under some PPP/PFI initiative. The study accepts that these schools could generally "be better designed". The obvious question is "why did this happen?" The report does…

Bulletin 411/08 - 15 December 2008

1. MEMBERS' ADDRESSES There will be a ballot of members in early 2009 for the office of Vice-President 2009-2011. The ballot is to members' home addresses. All members are urged to ensure that the Association holds the correct address on its database. If you are in any doubt, please contact the Association at info@ssta.org.uk or by telephone. It is helpful to quote your membership number or former address. 2. ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS 2009-2011 The following nominations have been received:…

CPD WITH A WARM HEART - Experiences as a Global Teacher in Malawi

Link Community Development and the Global Teachers Programme During 2008, and continuing into 2009, with support from SSTA, I am participating in the Global Teachers Programme organised by the international development charity Link Community Development (LCD), which receives support from LTS. LCD works in South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda and Malawi on long-term educational development projects, providing ongoing training and support to over 1000 schools, and includes Archbishop Desmond Tutu amongst its patrons. It aims to improve the quality of…

General comments

In addition to the comments made on the consultation proforma, the SSTA would wish to add the following. It is disappointing to note the loaded nature of certain questions. Questions 1, 2, 8, 9 and 10 involve the adoption of certain assumptions in order to provide an answer. Question 4 and 7 are so loaded that they cannot be answered. The inclusion of such questions has raised doubts as to the validity of the entire consultation exercise. The SSTA notes…

Consultation Questionnaire

Q1. Do you welcome the intention to update all qualifications at Access, Higher and Advanced Higher in line with Curriculum for Excellence? Please comment on any implications to be considered. The Question is clearly loaded and requires an assumption to be made as regards "updating". The requirement for articulation is obvious and accepted. The retention of Higher as a "Gold Standard" is welcomed. Progression and coherence between courses are essential. There are substantial resource implications for any new National Qualification…

Consultation on the Next Generation of National Qualification

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