Dear Colleagues

You may have noted speculation in TESS about the creation of new posts for current probationers. I have sought assurances that teachers currently seeking employment will not be penalised and am somewhat reassured by the promise that posts will be advertised and the selection process will be that normally used by local authorities.

We have been informed that the only relevance the phrase ‘current probationers' has is numerical, and will dictate the number of posts to be appointed.

As I noted in my last email to you we have no new information about the details of the COSLA proposals. Any clarification from COSLA will have to include a statement detailing exactly which local authorities they represent. Some authorities appear to be intent on their own agendas.

The SNCT meets on Wednesday 8 December at 14.30 when the situation should become much clearer. As yet COSLA has released NO papers for the meeting. When further information becomes available I will contact you immediately. In the meantime please take no action until the situation has been clarified and we know exactly what the proposals are.

If you have immediate concerns please do not hesitate to contact me at info@ssta.org.uk.

With best wishes

Yours sincerely

Ann Ballinger

General Secretary

• A pay freeze in 2011/12 and 2012/13 for all employees (teachers and all associated professionals);

• An increase in contact time for probationers to 0.9 FTE;

• Agreement that all supply teachers are paid on Point 1 of the Main Grade Scale and only for hours worked;

• Removal of salary conservation;

• Agreement that the Teacher leave year is moved to 40 days per annum for the calculation of family leave entitlements; and

• Freeze entry into the Chartered Teacher Scheme.

16 November 2010

TO:       SSTA MEMBERS

Dear Colleagues

URGENT - Claims in relation to accrued maternity leave

Further to the information provided on the poster sent to schools at the start of the session, the Association now additionally advises as follows.

In order to protect the position of members who were on maternity leave during leave year 1/9/09 to 31/8/10 with regard to the accrual of leave during maternity leave, such members are advised to contact the Association as soon as possible if they have not already done so.

Members should provide as much information as possible, including:-

• Full name:
• Home address:
• Date of birth:
• Dates of maternity leave:
• Current post:
• Period of appointment:
• Current salary:
• Any contact with the employer regarding the right to the accrual of leave during the period of maternity leave itself:

THIS MATTER IS URGENT.  

For those who may have claims, further information will be required in order for a claim to be prepared for the Employment Tribunal.   The Association has determined to lodge such claims not later than 30 November 2010.   To achieve this please respond not later than 23 November 2010

Members should write to the General Secretary or email to info@ssta.org.uk

Yours sincerely

ANN BALLINGER

General Secretary

Herald Scotland (Andrew Denholm, Education Correspondent) – 28/10/10 06:03

A historic agreement governing the pay and conditions of Scottish teachers should be re-opened as council budget cuts loom, the Education Secretary said yesterday.

Michael Russell told the Scottish Parliament's education committee it was time for the 2001 McCrone deal to be “revisited”.

The comment came as the committee discussed suggestions from some councils that increasing the hours teachers spend in the classroom would allow them to cut staff and save millions of pounds.

Mr Russell said any such negotiations would have to take place through an existing tri-partite group of councils, Government officials and teaching unions.

But he added: “The McCrone agreement is 10 years old and any agreement that is 10 years old probably needs revisiting.

Full story available from The Herald Scotland.

This Association is prepared to consider any proposals put but will not accept the wholesale destruction of conditions of service.   Should any attempt be made to negotiate changes members will informed via email and the website.

1. Holidays accrued and taken prior to commencement of Maternity Leave 2. Holidays accrued during Maternity Leave 3. Holidays accrued and to be taken after Maternity Leave

The teacher has the option to take at least some of this outstanding balance as an additional cash payment rather than as holidays. It must be remembered that a teacher while on holiday does not accrue further holiday entitlement.

1. Those currently on Maternity Leave 2. Those about to go on Maternity Leave 3. Those who have recently returned from Maternity Leave

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The SNCT has reached agreement on a Code of Practice on the Role of the Chartered Teacher.   The Code of Practice is incorporated into the SNCT Handbook: Part 2, paragraph 9.22 and is provided in a new Appendix, Appendix 2.16.  

The SNCT circular is available from the SNCT section of this website.   The relevant circular is SNCT 09/14.

An SSTA advice note will follow shortly regarding the Code of Practice on the Role of the Chartered Teacher.

The Association today attacked the agreement reached by the SNCT on 27 May relating to the "Role of the Chartered Teacher". The SNCT agreed a Code of Practice which the SSTA representatives vigorously opposed.

General Secretary, Ann Ballinger led the opposition:

"Since the first days of Chartered Teacher status the employers have been determined to assign duties to CT status. The SSTA has opposed this from the outset: the post-McCrone agreement is totally clear that the contractual duties of Chartered teachers are exactly the same as those of unpromoted teachers.

The employer's position is made the more transparent by the increasing number of authorities which are abolishing Principal Teacher (Subject) posts. The employers' reasoning is clear: they wish to save money by having CTs replace PTs despite the fact that the whole thrust of CT status is that it recognises ability in the classroom and makes no reference at all to management skills.

The Code avoids the use of the word "duties" but attempts inadequately to hide this by the use of terms such as

• "Brings a leadership role in leading learning and supporting colleagues"

• "Could introduce focused projects"

• "Might make a distinctive contribution"

In particular, the Code lays down "Professional Actions" which include:

• Supporting, advising and mentoring colleagues

• Leading curricular change and assessment

• Leading in-service on research work or educational development

All of the above are duties for Principal Teachers. The whole reasoning behind the code should be obvious to anyone who has any knowledge of what is happening in Scottish secondary schools at this moment. The work suggested in the Code will remove CTs from the classroom for a substantial amount of the working week, in total contravention of the concept of Chartered Teacher status."

The SSTA Congress debated the Code and following sustained and scathing criticism of the whole thrust of the Code, totally rejected it.

There are significant implications for SSTA members who are Chartered Teachers. Appendix 3 of the Code (toned down from earlier drafts following vigorous SSTA criticism) clearly states that Chartered teachers must "Ensure dialogue with school leaders (not identified) to identify ways in which they can (we assume "they" refers to the Chartered Teachers) contribute to raising achievement and to the professional development of colleagues.

The Code fails to recognise the fact that the "role" of the Chartered Teachers is totally defined by their work in their own classroom and nowhere else.

There can be no doubt that the code will be seen by many as an opportunity to attempt to assign management duties to Chartered Teachers through the back door.   It remains the case: Chartered Teachers do not have duties beyond those of classroom teachers.

The SSTA is absolutely clear that CTs may undertake such a "role" but it must be on a voluntary basis. The dialogue may amount to no more than "I do not wish to be involved". A second approach may constitute harassment. Any Chartered Teacher member who is harassed or bullied over this issue is asked to contact the General Secretary as soon as possible.

Members who wish further information should contact the General Secretary. It is helpful to use our email address at info@ssta.org.uk  

PAY REVIEW 2008

The Salary Scales shown below are taken from SNCT 33 issued on 24 May 2004. Full text of the Settlement can be viewed in SNCT 33.

Unpromoted Teachers

Chartered Teachers

Principal Teachers

Job Sized Spine

Conserved Salary Spine

Headteachers and Depute HeadteachersJob Sized Spine

Headteacher and Depute Headteacher Scales Conserved Salary Spine

Music Instructors

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