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…

The July 2023 Newsletter is now available for members to download. The newsletter contains information from the 78th Annual Congress of the SSTA, including the Presidential Address, Report of the General Secretary, motions passed at Congress and the Financial Statement.

Safety First – We must keep all in schools safe Covid-19 is still with us and it continues to cause disruption to schools. Teaching and learning is being challenged every day and unfortunately we are looking at a further period of strict adherence to mitigations. The latest government guidance has been enhanced and will continue until at least the October break. The increasing number of teacher and pupil absences due to Covid will again have an impact upon national qualifications…

Download PDF Version Return to SchoolThe latest version of the revised school guidance and update to vaccination section has been issued.https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-reducing-the-risks-in-schools/ The revised guidance includes: Risk assessments to be continuedEnvironmental cleaning, hand and respiratory hygiene to continueVentilation - strengthened guidance for LAs on CO2 monitoringFace coverings in communal areas and secondary classrooms to continuePhysical distancing for adults at least 1m but 2m distancing expected to remain for logistical purposesOne way systems to be continuedStaggered start and stop times/ break and…

SSTA Members’ Bulletin - 17 June 2021£400 Alternative Certification Model PaymentThe SSTA welcomes the one-off exceptional £400 payment for teachers supporting the delivery of the Alternative Certification Model for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications in 2020/2021.Key pointsPayment Teachers in education authority schools, independent schools and grant aided schools, involved in delivery of the ACM, will receive a maximum taxable payment of £400.Funded by a Scottish Government grant to employers, schools must claim on behalf of relevant staff.Payment will…

SNCT Career Pathways Working GroupsThree SNCT working groups have been established to develop the recommendations in the Career Pathway Report with SSTA represented on all groups. Career pathway established for specialist roles in curricular, pedagogical and policy delivery through the creation of a new post of Lead Teacher.Career pathways for Headteachers within and beyond Headship should be recognised including new opportunities in system leadership.A national model for sabbaticals should be developed for all teachers, including Headteachers that is both attractive and sustainable.       Reports on the…