The SSTA has been contacted by a large number of members concerned about their safety and the arrangements for the return to schools in January following the Covid-19 statement made by Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister on Saturday 19 December 2020.The following was issued by Government on Monday 21 December - ‘Arrangements for the phased reopening of schools in January 2021 – supplementary guidance’. The guidance provides details regarding the phased start to the spring term 2021.  This guidance supplements the existing Coronavirus:…

Members Update – Christmas Arrangements for Schools – 11 December 2020 The SSTA met with John Swinney, Deputy First Minister this week and urged him to: reconsider the arrangements for Secondary Schools prior to Christmas anddelay returning to face-face teaching in January in order for everybody to be kept safe over the Christmas period.This followed the SSTA letter to Local Authorities asking that schools move to ‘remote learning’ and fulfil their duty of care to keep everybody safe. Please see…

Examinations 2021 The SSTA has called for an early announcement as to the arrangements for the Higher and Advanced Higher examinations next summer. The assumption that the examinations should continue as normal ignores the damage that has been inflicted upon all pupils as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. Teachers and pupils are under severe pressure, trying to ensure all candidates are prepared fully for the examinations next summer, whilst increasing numbers have contracted the virus or are required to…

The SSTA has focussed throughout the covid-19 pandemic that safety of staff and pupils must be the first consideration. The SSTA continues to insist that all safety measures (such as face coverings, hand sanitisers/cleaning materials in all classrooms and strict physical distancing) should be in place in all schools.There has been reluctance in some quarters to take all necessary steps to protect all staff and pupils during the course of the pandemic. As a consequence, there is much confusion as…

The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, Scotland’s specialist union for secondary teachers, recently carried out a survey of its members to establish the extent to which they felt employers had ensured they had the right ICT tools for the job both during and since lockdown.  Over 1900 secondary teachers from all over Scotland responded. The pandemic has brought the use of educational ICT into sharp focus.  Teachers have been relying on ICT to maintain contact with colleagues and learners in a…

The SSTA conducted a survey of SSTA School Representatives on the measures being used in schools to keep staff safe. The survey highlighted the inconsistent approach to staff safety taken by local authorities across Scotland.Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said“The SSTA has argued for a consistent approach to safety during this crisis but unfortunately some local authorities are interpreting the guidance as optional rather than mandatory”.“Safety in School must be the first priority. SSTA conducted a survey of school representatives…

Safety First Schools have been attempting to adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic but they are far from being complete. Some schools have been more successful than others but there remain many challenges ahead.Some progress has been made in recent weeks but the recent SSTA survey highlighted a number of areas that are not been adequately addressed in all schools. The lack of physical distancing, inadequate cleaning regimes, the lack of face coverings and a lack of consistency of safety measures. The SSTA…

It has been a challenging return to school for many and there will undoubtedly be further challenges ahead. I would like to thank the very large number of members who had the opportunity to take part in our reopening of schools survey. The information received highlighted the issues that members and schools faced and allowed for further pressure to ensure staff and pupil safety.The recent SSTA advice remains and are the steps we would like to see in place in all schools to…