Category: Bulletin

  • Posts Congress 2012 Bulletin

    The post-Congress 2012 edition of the SSTA Bulletin can be downloaded from here.

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  • March 2012 Bulletin

    The post-March 2012 Council edition of the SSTA Bulletin can be downloaded from here.

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  • December 2011 Bulletin – No. 424-11

    The post-December 2011 Council edition of the SSTA Bulletin can be downloaded from here.

    Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open the Bulletin. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader it can be downloaded from http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/.

  • Bulletin No 423/11 – October 2011

    The post-October Council edition of the SSTA Bulletin can be downloaded from here.

    Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open the Bulletin. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader it can be downloaded from http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/.

  • Bulletin No 422/11 – May 2011

    The May 2011 edition of the SSTA Bulletin can be downloaded from here.

    Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open the Bulletin. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader it can be downloaded from http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/.

  • Bulletin No 421/11 – March 2011

    The March 2011 edition of the SSTA Bulletin can be downloaded from here.

    Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open the Bulletin. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader it can be downloaded from http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/

  • Bulletin No 420/11 – January 2011

    The January 2011 edition of the SSTA Bulletin can be downloaded here.

    Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open the Bulletin. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader it can be downloaded from http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/.

  • Bulletin No 419/10 October 2010

    The October 2010 edition of the SSTA Bulletin can be downloaded here.

    Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open the Bulletin. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader it can be downloaded from http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/.

  • Bulletin no 418/10 – 28 May 2010

    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” to the subject box and

    add your name and preferred email address in the text box.

     

    2. CONGRESS 2010

    Congress was held in Peebles on 7/8 May. Major items included:-

    Lindsay Paterson, Professor of Education Policy, University of Edinburgh addressed

    Congress on Curriculum for Excellence and answered questions from members of Congress.

    The Association thanks Lindsay for his address which was thought-provoking and

    particularly well received.

    The Association’s representatives were joined by guests from other unions, the

    political parties and the local authority (Scottish Borders Council) who generously

    provided a civic reception.

    The following motions were approved by Congress:-

    Motion A

    This Association is concerned that the way Curriculum for Excellence is being

    interpreted in some quarters is in danger of turning it into Curriculum for Mediocrity.

    We are alarmed by plans to extend some teaching methods beyond their range of

    effectiveness with opportunities to advance becoming retrograde steps.

    If pupils are to make real progress, the first three years of secondary school

    should not be seen as a further three years of primary school.

    Motion B

    The SSTA calls on the GTCS and the Scottish Government to protect the status of

    subject specialist teachers. This is vital to alleviate the potential damage resulting

    from blurring of curricular areas in CfE and from the creation of faculty structures.

    Motion C

    Congress calls upon the Scottish Parliament to legislate to ensure that the appointment

    of the Chief Executive of the General Teaching Council for Scotland is subject

    to confirmation at four yearly intervals by teachers whose subscriptions fund

    the Council.

    Motion D

    This Association reaffirms its view that pupils in secondary schools are best

    served when taught by teachers who are professionally qualified subject specialists.

    The SSTA will support any members who feel pressured into acting in a way which

    they feel is unprofessional in this respect.

    Motion E

    Congress notes with alarm the cut-backs in local authority funding and the resulting

    impact upon schools, students and staff. The Association calls upon the UK and

    Scottish Government and Local Authorities to ensure that schools are adequately

    resourced.

    Motion F

    Congress notes with concern that recent research indicates a possible correlation

    between young people’s exposure to sexualised imagery in society and their body

    image perception and attitudes towards women. Congress calls for schools to consider

    ways in which they can use and promote appropriate and healthy images of both

    men and women.

    Motion G

    This Association calls on the Scottish Qualification Authority to ensure that

    any person marking or moderating internal SQA course material has received appropriate

    training before they are given this responsibility.

    Motion H

    This Association demands that the Scottish Qualification Authority pays appropriate

    fees to markers involved in internal marking related to SQA course awards. The

    Association would welcome the opportunity to be involved in the negotiations with

    the SQA relating to such fees.

    Motion I

    Congress fully endorses the articles of The United Nations Convention on the Rights

    of the Child and calls upon teachers to support its implementation in schools.

    Congress reiterates its commitment to ensuring that all who learn in, work in

    and visit our schools can do so in a safe and healthy environment.

    Motion J

    This Association continues to note with regret the very significant amount of

    low level indiscipline in Scottish secondary schools. The Association welcomes

    recent moves to tackle more serious indiscipline but the government must be made

    aware of the extent of the problem caused by this low level indiscipline.

    It is noted that many hours of valuable teaching time are spent in addressing

    this issue. The Association asks that the government and Local Authorities recognise

    the challenges posed to learning and teaching in many schools by providing additional

    resources.

    Motion K

    This Association calls upon the Scottish Government to honour the commitment to

    restrict S1/S2 English and Maths classes to a maximum of twenty.

    Motion M

    East Lothian Council is considering transferring all its schools to Community

    Trust status which they hope will give them the benefits of charitable status.

    This Association will oppose any proposal by local authorities to transfer their

    schools to trust status. We urge the Scottish Government to defeat any such move.

    Motion O

    This Association will consider all courses of action possible, including industrial

    action in the event of threats of compulsory teacher redundancies by Local Authorities

    Motion P

    This Association calls on all Local Authorities in Scotland to provide adequate

    training on personal safety for all teachers in view of the continued increase

    in violence in schools

    Motion R

    The SSTA values moves made by local authorities to encourage collegiality in schools

    across Scotland. To develop collegiate working further, and in line with the practice

    of including parents in appointment procedures, Congress calls on local authorities

    to involve staff representatives (approved by teaching unions) in the appointment

    of Senior Managers in schools.

    Congress also approved three emergency motions:-

    Emergency Motion 1

    Congress condemns attempts by the Government to impose on the GTCS a duty to “re-accredit”

    teachers. Congress rejects any assertion that the GTCS currently “accredits”.

    It does not. It “registers”. Congress sees attempts to “re-accredit” as no more

    than a threat to teachers and condemns the GTCS for its failure to immediately,

    decisively and vigorously reject the Government’s proposals.

    Congress notes that the GTCS rightly has the authority to remove a teacher from

    the Register under its current disciplinary and competence arrangements.

    Emergency Motion 2

    The Association reaffirms the position taken at Congress 2009, (in particular

    with reference to Emergency Motion 1 and Motion H) to institute a ballot on Industrial

    Action if sufficient progress on Curriculum for Excellence was not made.

    Congress therefore authorises Executive to initiate a ballot on Industrial Action,

    if in the view of Executive, satisfactory progress has not been made by June 1st

    2010 towards meeting our demands for:

    The provision of a list of the core skills to be taught for every subject area.

    The establishment of working groups, comprising experienced classroom teachers,

    developing core material for each subject.

    Clear and unequivocal information on curriculum structures and exact information

    on the stage at which work for national qualifications will start.

    Emergency Motion 3

    This Association compliments those local authorities who have agreed on a collegiate

    basis to support staff stranded abroad in unique and exceptional circumstances

    of flight disruption because of volcanic eruptions.

    FINANCIAL STATEMENT

    INCOME    
      Membership Subscriptions £1,044,844
      Other income

    £ 48,447
        £1,093,291

         
    EXPENDITURE  
      *Annual Operating Costs £1,143,923

      Appropriations  
      SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) ( £50,632)
        £1,093,291

         
      *including: In respect of Acting General Secretary/General Secretary:

     
      Salary

    £30,000/ £42,000

      Superannuation and NIC

    £5,978.09/ £6392.68

      Employee’s Superannuation contributions £6,867.80/ £2520.00

      Key Person’s life policy premium

    £ 1,529.49

      Essential user’s car allowance

    £822

         
      Honoraria to elected Office Bearers:

     
      General Treasurer

    £ 7,750

      Minutes Secretary £ 5,600

      President £ 2,250

        £15,600

         
      The Association does not maintain a political fund.

     

    4. AUDITORS’ REPORT

    We have audited the financial statements of Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association

    for the year ended 31 December 2009 which comprise the Cash Flow Statement, Income

    and Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheet and the related notes. These financial

    statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out

    therein.

    This report is made exclusively to the members, as a body, and to the Association’s

    Finance Committee, as a body. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might

    state to the members and the Association’s Finance Committee those matters we

    are required to state to them in an auditors’ report and for no other purpose.

    To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility

    to anyone other than the Association, its members as a body and its Finance Committee

    as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

    RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND AUDITORS

    The responsibilities of the Finance Committee for preparing the Finance Committee’s

    Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and

    United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting

    Practice) and for being satisfied that the financial statements give a true and

    fair view are set out in the Statement of Finance Committee’s Responsibilities.

    Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with relevant

    legal and regulatory requirements and International Standards on Auditing (UK

    and Ireland).

    We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true

    and fair view, have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally

    Accepted Accounting Practice. We also report to you if, in our opinion, the information

    given in the Finance Committee’s Annual Report is consistent with the financial

    statement

    We also report to you if, in our opinion, the Association has not kept adequate

    and proper accounting records, if the Association’s financial statements are not

    in agreement with these accounting records, if we have not received all the information

    and explanations we require for our audit, or if certain disclosures of Finance

    Committee’s remuneration specified by law are not made. We read the Finance Committee’s

    Annual Report and consider the implications for our report if we become aware

    of any apparent misstatements within it.

    BASIS OF AUDIT OPINION

    We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing

    (UK and Ireland) Issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination,

    on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial

    statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgments

    made by the Finance Committee in the preparation of the financial statement and

    of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Association’s circumstances,

    consistently applied and adequately disclosed. We planned and performed our audit

    so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary

    in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that

    the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by

    fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated

    the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements

    OPINION

    In our opinion:

    • the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Association’s

      affairs as at 31 December 2009;

    • and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its

      income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

    • the financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with

      United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; ·the financial statements

      have been prepared in accordance with the Trade Union and Labour Relations

      (Consolidation) Act 1992; and

    • the information given in the Finance Committee’s Annual Report is consistent

      with the financial statements.

    Tindell, Grant & Co Registered Auditors 6 Munro Road Springkerse Stirling FK7

    7UU

     

    5. CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE SURVEY

    Approximately 27% of members responded to these surveys, giving detailed information

    which considerably enhanced the Association’s stated position on both issues.

    The issues raised have already been discussed with the Cabinet Secretary and will

    be used in more detailed talks later this month. Summary papers have also been

    produced which will be presented as evidence to COSLA and the Scottish Government

    during May and June.

    Our grateful thanks go to every member who took the time to complete the survey

    during a very busy term. We will keep you informed of progress on both issues.

    6. RESULTS OF THE WORKLOAD SURVEY

    78.2 % of teachers worked at least 40 hrs during the weeks chosen, and none

    of them reported these as particularly busy weeks. Many actually reported the

    chosen week as being ‘quiet’.

    Over 24 % worked between 40 and 45hrs; 28%+ worked between 45 and 50 hrs and 15.9%

    between 50 and 55 hrs. An extremely worrying 10.25% of members who responded report

    regularly working in excess of 55 hrs per week, on a regular basis.

    The most commonly reported reasons for the extra hours are administration, pupil

    indiscipline, covering for absent colleagues, HMIE visits, marking NABs and folios.

    A number of members used the comment section of the survey to highlight serious

    issues. Please remember your professional officers are here to help you. Please

    contact us immediately if: you have been the victim of violence and have not

    been supported effectively by the SMT; you are considering resigning due to

    difficulties with your line manager; you are asked to accept an unreasonable

    workload; you are threatened or harassed by a parent or pupil; you are subjected

    to accusations of misconduct or if any issue arises which causes you concern

    and is not suitably dealt with by your line manager. Please telephone in an

    emergency. It is helpful to contact us by email at info@ssta.org.uk and we will

    respond within 24 hours

    7. MEMBERSHIP

    All members who retire during the summer are asked to notify the Association office

    (info@ssta.org.uk) of the fact. Members who are transferring schools are asked

    to do the same.

    We take this opportunity to wish members who are retiring a long, healthy and

    happy retirement.

    Members who are retiring but who may take up irregular temporary work as a teacher

    (“supply” as it is generally termed) are advised to retain part-time membership

    at the prevailing half rate.

    It is also possible to retain membership as a retired member at the same rate.

    The Association’s free legal advisory service, Lawline, is free and confidential.

    To make use of the service telephone 07770 748556 or email lawline@morton-fraser.com.

    8. CHANGE OF ADDRESS

    Members who have changes to their personal details are asked to notify the Association

    office in writing or email info@ssta.org.uk.

    This is particularly important due to the possibility of a ballot of members on

    Industrial Action regarding the lack of sufficient progress on Curriculum for

    Excellence. (See Emergency Motion 2 which was approved by Congress 2010.)

    On behalf of the President and Council, we wish all members a well deserved, restful

    and enjoyable summer break.

    PETER WRIGHT President

    ANN BALLINGER General Secretary

     

    TEACHER SUPPORT SCOTLAND

    Happy, healthy teachers make better teachers

    Teacher Support Scotland is an independent charity who believes happy, healthy

    teachers make better teachers. In a time when everyone is looking to cut their

    costs, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that school staff are the

    backbone of the education system and should be given the support needed to be

    their best, particularly during times of change and uncertainty. We provide 24

    hour coaching and counselling, have over 1000 factsheets on our website and develop

    resources that help improve whole of school staff wellbeing. The best thing is

    that these services are all free, so you can look after yourself and your colleagues

    without spending a penny. Get in touch with our Edinburgh office to find out how

    we can help you and your school or see the enclosed leaflet for more information.

    Teacher Support Scotland 0131 6674058 scotland@teachersupport.info

    Need someone to talk to? Call our confidential telephone Support Line free on

    0800 5642270 or email an advisor via http://www.teachersupposrtscotland.info.

    Teacher Support Scotland is a registered charity (no.SCO32500) and we desperately

    need your help to continue our important work. Help us spread the word by ordering

    leaflets for your school and consider making a donation on the back of the leaflet

    enclosed.

  • Bulletin no 417/10 – 17 March 2010

    1. CfE Survey

     

    The Association is conducting a survey to ascertain your views on CfE using fair and unbiased questions. Your school rep has been sent paper copies and an electronic copy can be completed online via the SSTA website. Please use one of these to enable the Association to represent your views to the Cabinet Secretary, and campaign for the best possible outcome for secondary teachers in Scotland. If you do not respond it will be assumed that you believe CfE can proceed in August 2010 without any additional information or reassurance.

    2. Curriculum Consultation

    The forum area of the website contains subject specialist areas to enable teachers to comment on any aspect of the curriculum. Your comments are particularly important during the current changes in Scottish education.

    Please also use the forums to give your views on the 2010 diet of exams. The information collected is passed to SQA who report that we are the only group of teachers feeding back information, concerns and general opinion on the exam diet. They find the information invaluable.

    3. 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 cost and assist in maintaining our annual subscription at the lowest possible rate.

    If you are willing to participate in this carbon footprint reduction please email the office at info@ssta.org.uk, add “carbon footprint” to the subject box and add your name and preferred email address in the text box.

    4. LAWLINE SERVICE

    Members are reminded of the Association’s free legal advisory service, Lawline. Morton Fraser Solicitors provide SSTA members with free confidential legal advice by telephone or email. The service permits members to seek legal advice on any issues affecting them (excluding employment matters which should be directed to the General Secretary). The advice given is prompt, comprehensive, impartial and covers other jurisdictions as well as Scots law. Advice can cover consumer matters, domestic issues, contracts, family law, estates and travel to name but a few areas. To make use of the service you can telephone on 07770 748556 or email at: Lawline@morton-fraser.com.

    5. COUNCIL 6 MARCH 2010

    Council heard reports on the latest progress on the following issues:

    • CfE-the lack of clarity over the proposed exam structure and increasing concerns about the lack of progress towards implementation.

    • Problems associated with proposals to assess Literacy and Numeracy

    • Workforce planning resulting in a reduction of 200 student secondary teachers across subject areas in 2010-11.

    • Initial response to the government document “Toward an Independent General Teacher Council for Scotland – A Scottish Government Response” on the future of the GTCS. In particular members discussed and condemned the proposal for reaccreditation of Scottish teachers every 5 years.

    • Amendments to legislation related to maternity leave and the accrual of holiday entitlement. An advice note will be issued when the situation is clarified. In the interim, members affected should contact the Association for advice.

    The following Motions were approved:

    1. Due to the continued lack of progress in providing materials to allow the effective implementation of Curriculum for Excellence in secondary schools, this Association calls on the Scottish Government to delay the implementation of the programme until more work is done to provide a coherent and properly resourced curriculum for young people.

    Schools will not be in a position to implement the new curriculum from August 2010.

    We remain particularly concerned about:

    the lack of specified content in subject areas where this is essential

    the lack of any useful exemplification of the Experiences and Outcomes

    the lack of detail on assessment for individual curricular areas

    the concept of folio assessment for literacy and numeracy

    the lack of workable curricular models

    the disparity of provision across local authorities and individual schools

    the lack of increased funding and resources during this planning stage and beyond

    the shortage of relevant CPD

    Our main concern, however, remains the damaging effect that unsatisfactory premature implementation will have on the next generation of pupils.

     

    1. Council expresses its extreme concern that the CfE Management Board has continued to fail to accept that enormous damage will be done to the state education system by the decision that the new National Qualification at level 4 will be totally internally assessed.

    Council believes that this arrangement will cause the qualification to be seen as a second class award. Council recognises that the arrangement is again the cheap option.

    Council cannot accept that the Management Board understands the relevant concerns and condemns the Board for this failing.

    It is clear that Scotland’s parents will be highly critical of the proposal and that their voice must be heeded.

    Council now calls on the Cabinet Secretary to ignore the views of the Management Board and to instruct that the level 4 award be based on an assessment mechanism which is substantially externally assessed.

    6. PROOF OF SALARY PAYMENTS AND DEDUCTIONS

    The Association very strongly recommends to all members that they retain every salary advice notice from the day they entre teaching until they are past retiral.

    This is all the more important for members undertaking part-time, temporary or supply work and for those in acting posts.

    Regrettably there have been cases where members at the time of retirement have questioned the length of service or salary used to calculate their retiring benefits (pension and lump sum). Claims in this regard are very difficult to prove unless there is documentary evidence of the salary paid, and superannuation contributions.

    It is not sufficient to rely on the employer to retain such records. They do not do so for the required length of time. The employer may, of course, no longer exist in its earlier form.

    7. CHANGE OF ADDRESS

    Members who have changes to their personal details are asked to notify the Association office in writing or email info@ssta.org.uk.

    PETER WRIGHT President

    ANN BALLINGER General Secretary