Category: Information for Members

The ballot to enable the SSTA to take industrial action in pursuit of progress on the 90-minute reduction in class contact time did not meet the statutory 50% turnout threshold. A successful ballot would have allowed the SSTA to apply additional pressure on the Scottish Government and COSLA to help reduce teacher workload.
 
Despite this, support among those who voted was strong. In the ballot, 94.1% of members indicated their willingness to take action short of strike action, while 79.47% were prepared to take strike action.

The SSTA National Executive has raised serious concerns regarding the postal ballot process. A significant proportion of members (23%) reported that they did not receive ballot papers, even after replacement papers had been issued. In addition, the timing of the ballot over the Christmas period is believed to have contributed to the relatively low turnout, with only 34.62% of members returning their ballot papers.
 
The National Executive remains fully committed to reducing teacher workload. This includes addressing the bureaucracy associated with poor pupil behaviour, the pressures arising from additional support needs, excessive accountability processes, and the continued campaign for a reduction in class contact time.
 
The National Executive has resolved to explore all available avenues to reduce teacher workload, including the possibility of a further ballot for industrial action. The timing of any future ballot will be carefully considered, particularly considering the end of the current Scottish Government’s term and the formation of a new Government following the forthcoming May elections. This would include an electronic ballot of members, expected to be introduced in April as part of the UK Employment Rights Bill.
 
Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary, said:
“The ballot result is a minor setback in the SSTA campaign to deliver a 90-minute reduction in class contact time. The SSTA will continue to work towards resolving this dispute by engaging with all parties up to the end of the current Scottish Government to honour its 2021manifesto commitment.”
 
Monique Dreon-Goold, SSTA President, said:
“Reducing the workload demands placed upon teachers must be a sole focus for all unions in the coming months. Teacher unions must unite to address the issues driving teachers away from the profession and making the recruitment of secondary teachers increasingly difficult.”

SSTA Industrial Action Ballot Closed

The SSTA Industrial Action Ballot closed at noon today (Friday, 23 January 2026). The result will be considered by the SSTA National Executive early next week. The Executive will then determine the next steps in the Delivering the 90 Minutes for Secondary School Teachers campaign.
 
Formal communication regarding the outcome of the ballot and any subsequent actions will be issued following the Executive’s deliberations.
 
The SSTA would like to thank all members who completed and returned their ballot papers during an extremely busy period.

 
The fight to reduce teacher workload has reached a critical moment. Following the announcement that both the EIS and NASUWT have failed to meet the 50% turnout threshold, progress towards securing the vital 90-minute reduction in class contact time has stalled.
 
This makes the SSTA members’ ballot more important than ever. A strong turnout and a decisive YES vote will send a clear and unmistakable message: teachers are no longer willing to wait while employers and the Scottish Government fail to resolve their differences. Teachers are demanding real, meaningful action on workload—now.
 
A positive SSTA result will give our negotiators the strength and authority they need to push negotiations forward. It will empower teachers to take control of their workload and to refocus on what truly matters: high-quality teaching and learning.
 
SSTA members must stand together to defend the interests of secondary teachers and put negotiations back on track.
 
Please make every effort to return your ballot paper and vote YES to both questions.

INDUSTRIAL ACTION – MEMBER UPDATE

Online member briefings on the industrial action ballot and the next stages in the campaign to reduce teacher contact time will take place next week. These short sessions will outline the industrial action strategy and explain the measures that would be implemented following a successful ballot. Please reserve your place:

• School Representative Briefing – Tuesday 13 January at 5.00 pm
• Member Briefing – Wednesday 14 January at 5.00 pm
  

NOT RECEIVED YOUR BALLOT PAPER?

Some members have not yet received their ballot papers for the ballot on Industrial Action. It is essential that any affected members contact the SSTA Office at info@ssta.org.uk, providing their full postal address including postcode, so that a replacement ballot paper can be issued. Only members employed by a Local Authority can take part in the ballot.

Members are reminded to vote YES to both questions and return their ballot paper as soon as possible.

TRAVELLING TO SCHOOL DURING SEVERE WINTER WEATHER

In severe winter weather you may have problems travelling to school. It is important to balance your safety with your employer’s right to expect you to attend work, but safety must always be the most important consideration.  

Members are advised to take the following steps:

1. Make sure you have a copy of the Local Authority procedure for inclement weather and follow the advice in the document.
2. Listen to official advice about travel and assess the risks for you.
3. It is essential that you follow Police Scotland Travel Warnings https://www.traffic.gov.scot/traffic-information/police-travel-warnings
4. Following reports of severe weather, schools should make decisions on school closures prior to the day. To wait until the day is ‘foolhardy’ and is putting pupils, parents and staff at unnecessary risk.
5. Check the appropriate website for school closure advice.
6. If you are unable to use your usual form of transport, contact the school, explain the situation and inform them that you intend to seek an alternative safe method of travel (if necessary, by leaving a message on the answering machine or by email).
7. If other methods of transport are impossible contact the school again and inform them, you intend to work from home and keep a record of work done.
8. Contact the office at info@ssta.org.uk  for further advice

Please note: Teachers may be asked to provide work for their classes but are NOT required to teach online.

HEATING – MINIMUM TEMPERATURES

Regulation 23 of the School Premises Regulations Act 1967 and 1973 specifies the following minimum temperatures:

• 18.5°C for medical inspection rooms, changing rooms, shower rooms and WCs.
• 16°C for teaching spaces or classrooms.
• 15.5°C Assembly Hall/ Lecture Hall
• 13°C in cloakrooms, corridors, and gymnasiums
• 10°C Games Hall

When temperatures are below these minima, members should act as follows:

1. Record the time and temperature, preferably with a calibrated thermometer
2. If the low temperature is first thing in the school day and the heating system is working,
3. record the time and the temperature and then allow a reasonable time, up to a maximum of one hour, for the temperature to increase.
4. NB. The law requires minimum temperature to be achieved by the start of the working day
5. If the temperature still has not reached minimum, or it is so low initially that it would be unreasonable to work in the room while waiting for it to rise, again note the time and temperature and notify management team, by telephone or email, that you require an alternative place to work.
6. Allow a reasonable time for action to be taken. It is impossible to be more specific, as what is reasonable must depend on the layout of the school and the degree of discomfort.
7. If after a reasonable period no effective action has been taken, you should cease to work in the room. Take your class to an appropriate place, school offices, foyer etc and ask for instructions from the senior members of staff.
8. As soon as you can, inform the school representative of your actions.
9. If there is a general failure of the heating system, it is possible that pupils will be sent home. Note that teaching staff will be required to remain, provided an adequately heated room e.g. a staffroom can be provided.

Please note: Hot water for washing hands must also be provided for the school building to be operational.

The ballot has begun with ballot packs being mailed out to members home address on Monday 15 December. Ballot packs will be arriving in the coming days. The ballot can only be legally conducted by post, and it is so important that members return their ballot papers as soon as possible.
 
For the ballot to be successful a high response is essential. If the thresholds are not met it puts the union in a weaker place in the negotiations with the employers and COSLA. At present the SSTA, the EIS and NASUWT are all conducting a ballot for industrial action, and I am convinced that a united front will bring a just reward.
 
I would like to encourage you to vote in the ballot and return your vote in the pre-paid envelope. I would like you to encourage all your colleagues to return their ballot papers as soon as possible.
 
The SSTA has been committed to reaching a suitable agreement through negotiation but to date COSLA has not been prepared to engage in meaningful negotiations. The approach of COSLA and the Scottish Government has necessitated the move towards industrial action.
 
The SSTA National Executive carefully considered the progress and the unsatisfactory nature of the negotiations on reducing teacher workload and has sanctioned the statutory ballot for industrial action.
 
It appears that only the threat of action short of strike action and strike action will force the employers to return to the negotiating table with a commitment to reduce teacher workload.

The SSTA is encouraging all members to vote
YES to BOTH questions

Tuesday 16 December 2025

 SNCT Teachers’ Panel response to Scottish Government Class Contact proposals

The Teachers’ Panel of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) has today met to consider its collective response to the Scottish Government’s paper, received on 20th November 2025, titled “Delivering Reduced Class Contact Time: A National Deal for Scotland’s Teachers”.

The Teachers’ Panel unanimously welcomes the stated commitment from Scottish Government to improve the conditions of service of Scotland’s teachers. This would build on two decades’ worth of previous improvements negotiated through SNCT. The Teachers’ Panel is willing to work collegiately through the SNCT, with Scottish Government and COSLA, to deliver these improvements, termed by Scottish Government as a “National Deal” for teachers.

Teachers’ Panel has already this year tabled proposals to amend the SNCT Handbook to institute paid leave for fertility treatment, special leave for miscarriage, improve supply teachers’ pay and set a maximum class size of six in specialist ASN provision. The Panel will soon be tabling proposals at SNCT to improve maternity leave and pay.

The Teachers’ Panel, however, notes with concern that the Scottish Government’s proposals fail to adequately address the pressing need to resolve the SNCT dispute on reducing weekly class contact time to 21 hours, a dispute declared in February this year.

A lack of meaningful progress towards resolving this dispute has resulted in Teachers’ Panel members opening statutory ballots for industrial action over workload. Before any purposeful negotiation can take place on a proposed National Deal, including improvements to terms and conditions already tabled at SNCT by the Teachers’ Side, it is imperative that Scottish Government and COSLA commit to resolving the SNCT dispute over the manifesto commitment to reduce class contact time.

The Teachers’ Panel is clear that in the context of unfair, unhealthy and, crucially, unsustainable, levels of workload endured by the teaching profession, it will not be dissuaded, nor distracted, from seeking resolution to this dispute. Resolution requires, firstly, agreement that the fu l amount of time resulting from the reduction in weekly class contact time be allocated to teachers’ ‘preparation and correction’ time to address unsustainable workload, thereby giving them more time to plan and prepare f or learning, teaching and assessment. Insufficient time for this activity during the working week is the main driver of excessive workload for teachers.

Once agreement is reached on this fundamental aspect, the Teachers’ Panel believes that implementation planning can begin in earnest, potentially including the piloting of different models of delivery within a reasonable timescale.

In the context of the continuing rise in the numbers of pupils with additional support needs, evident from Scottish Government’s own statistics published last week that now 43% of pupils have a recognised ASN, the imperative for making progress with this commitment has never been stronger.

The Teachers’ Panel expects that implementation of the manifesto commitment will be fully funded. It will not agree to implementation which results in cuts to other Education services, such as ASN provision, nor in additional workload for teachers, including those in promoted positions such as Principal Teachers, Depute Headteachers or Headteachers.

The Teachers’ Panel is, through SNCT, committed to continually improving the terms and conditions of all Scotland’s teachers and looks forward to working with Scottish Government and COSLA to this end. However, the workload crisis, acknowledged publicly in such terms by both the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education, must first be addressed.

(ENDS)

– Issued on behalf of the SNCT Teachers’ Panel

SSTA response to COSLA’s Press Statement raising concerns on ‘Reduction in Class Contact Time’

The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee reviewed the COSLA’s Press Statement on the ‘Reduction in Class Contact Time’ (RCCT). The committee stated that the paper avoided the use of the additional 90 minutes as planning, preparation and correction and in the control of the teacher. But focused upon financial difficulties, the negative impact upon other services, and children and young people.
 
The SSTA welcomes COSLA’s recognition of the importance of reducing class contact time (RCCT) and its commitment to continued engagement through the SNCT. However, we must be clear that RCCT is a national commitment made by the Scottish Government and fully endorsed through the national negotiating machinery. Teachers should not be placed in the middle of disagreements about funding or responsibility between national and local government.
 
Peter Brandon, SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Convenor said.
 
“The financial pressures facing local authorities are real, but they cannot be used to stall or dilute a commitment that is essential to the sustainability of the teaching profession and to improving support for children and young people. RCCT is not an optional policy; it is a contractual requirement in development, and one that must be properly resourced”.
 
“The SSTA therefore supports COSLA in pressing the Scottish Government to provide the funding necessary but equally stresses that local authorities have a duty to participate constructively in planning for implementation rather than presenting obstacles”.
 
Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary added.
 
“On COSLA’s concerns about the impact on children and young people, the evidence is already clear:

• Teacher workload is at unsustainable levels.
• High-quality learning and teaching requires adequate professional time.
• Meeting pupils’ needs, including those with additional support needs, depends on teachers having the capacity to respond effectively.
• RCCT is designed precisely to address these issues. To suggest that reducing teacher workload might harm pupils misunderstands the reality in schools. Improving teacher capacity is improving pupil experience.

“The SSTA agrees that proper assessment and planning are essential. That is why implementation must proceed through a nationally negotiated framework within the SNCT, backed by transparent funding commitments from the Scottish Government and clear operational planning from local authorities”.

To summarise:

• COSLA is right to highlight that funding from the Scottish Government is required, and the SSTA supports that call.
• Funding debates cannot be used to block or delay RCCT, which is a nationally agreed commitment.
• RCCT is a measure that will benefit children and young people by ensuring teachers have the time necessary to deliver high-quality learning and support.
• Local authorities must work with the profession to plan for delivery, not frame RCCT as a threat to services or outcomes.

 
“The SSTA remains committed to working with COSLA and the Scottish Government through the SNCT to ensure that RCCT is delivered in a way that is properly funded, consistent across Scotland, and genuinely improves conditions for teachers and learners alike. It is unfortunate that SSTA members have to embark on a ballot for industrial action to show the employers how important the reduction in teacher class contact time is for teachers and to the benefit of all our children and young people”
 

VOTE ‘YES’ TO BOTH QUESTIONS IN THE BALLOT

 Delivering the 90 Minutes and Protecting Secondary Teachers – Ballot 15 December
 
The SSTA National Executive has confirmed the next step in the Delivering the 90 Minutes and Protecting Secondary Teachers campaign by launching the formal postal ballot for industrial action from 15 December 2025. The ballot will close at 12 noon on Friday 23 January.  The ballot is open to all members employed by a local authority.
 
The ballot paper will contain two questions:

1. ARE YOU PREPARED TO TAKE PART IN STRIKE ACTION?
2. ARE YOU PREPARED TO TAKE PART IN ACTION SHORT OF STRIKE ACTION?

Members are strongly encouraged to respond “YES” to both questions. This will give the union’s negotiators the necessary mandate to press employers and the Scottish Government to progress the reduction in class contact time.

A positive vote on both questions will allow us to increase pressure by introducing measures that refuse duties which take teachers away from teaching and learning. In addition, it provides the option to move to strike action if required.

VOTE ‘YES’ TO BOTH QUESTIONS IN THE BALLOT

 
2025-2027 Pay Settlement – Claiming ‘Back Pay’
 
The pay changes will be automatic to most members who have continued to be employed by the same local authority. However, the SSTA wishes to advise members who have retired or left the profession during the period of the pay settlement are required to make a ‘back pay’ claim to their previous employing authority.
 
In addition, members that have moved local authority or gained a promotion, are also required to make a ‘back pay’ claim.
 
For further information, please follow the link to a SSTA proforma to assist in making the claim.

SSTA response to Scottish Government ‘A National Deal for Scotland’s Teachers’
 
The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee reviewed the Scottish Government ‘A National Deal for Scotland’s Teachers’. The committee stated that the paper avoided the use of the additional 90 minutes as planning, preparation and correction and in the control of the teacher. Therefore, the planned ballot for industrial action must continue.
 
The SSTA welcomes the Scottish Government’s continued recognition that reducing class contact time (RCCT) is essential to supporting teachers’ professional responsibilities and improving outcomes for young people. However, we must be clear that the delivery of the promised reduction in class contact time remains the first priority. This commitment must be honoured in full and without delay.

RCCT is not one initiative among many. It is the key mechanism to ensure teachers have the professional time required for planning, assessment, meeting learners’ needs, and contributing to whole-school improvement. These activities cannot be undertaken effectively while class contact time remains at its current level. Without RCCT, none of the wider ambitions for the education system are achievable.
 
Peter Brandon, SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Convenor said.
 
“The Government’s paper presents a range of potential approaches for implementation. While the SSTA is willing to engage constructively through the SNCT, we must emphasise that reorganisation of existing time, changes to the school week, or speculative “innovative” models cannot substitute for the fundamental requirement: increased capacity in the system. RCCT must be created through investment and staffing, not by shifting pressure elsewhere in the school day”.
 
“The suggestion that local pilots or tests of change should begin immediately is premature. Implementation cannot proceed in advance of a national agreement. RCCT is a contractual matter that requires clear, consistent arrangements across Scotland. Local experimentation ahead of SNCT negotiation risks confusion, inconsistency, and added workload at school level—precisely the opposite of what RCCT is intended to address”.
 
“We note the proposals around redefining non-contact time. The SSTA remains open to discussions, but any revised framework must ensure that professional time remains genuinely at teachers’ discretion and directly supports their core duties. It cannot become a vehicle for increased direction or an expansion of tasks”.
 
Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary added.
 
“The SSTA recognises the Government’s interest in developing a wider National Deal. Pay, workload reduction, and improved conditions are important ongoing discussions. However, the delivery of RCCT is a standalone commitment and cannot be tied to or traded against other elements. RCCT must be implemented on its own merits, as promised.
 
In summary:

• RCCT must be implemented first and in line with the existing national commitment.
• National agreement through the SNCT must precede any local pilots or changes.
• RCCT must be created through additional capacity, not repackaging of existing time.
• Any changes to non-contact time must protect professional autonomy and avoid increased workload.

“The SSTA remains committed to working constructively with the Scottish Government and COSLA. But the profession needs certainty, not further delay. Delivering reduced class contact time is essential to ensuring teachers can meet the needs of Scotland’s young people and must now be the immediate focus of implementation”

Yours sincerely

Seamus Searson
General Secretary

The SNCT Teachers’ Side met this morning to discuss concerns arising from the Cabinet Secretary’s press release, Delivering Reduced Class Contact Time, issued on Thursday 20 November, along with the subsequent document Delivering Reduced Class Contact Time: A National Deal for Scotland’s Teachers 
 
The SNCT Reduction in Class Contact Time working group had met on Wednesday 19 November, where no progress was made in agreeing the use of the promised 90-minute reduction in class contact time. No reference was made at that meeting to the forthcoming press release. The timing and nature of the announcement appear to undermine the established SNCT negotiating machinery and the ongoing industrial action ballots being organised by the teacher unions.
 
The SNCT Teachers’ Side agreed that each union will review the documents and reconvene to agree a formal response. It was further agreed that the Teachers’ Side would issue a statement highlighting the failure to conduct negotiations on teachers’ terms and conditions through the recognised SNCT channels.
 
Members are reminded that the SNCT Teachers’ Side remains in dispute regarding the Government’s failure to implement its commitment to reducing class contact time. The unions’ ballots for industrial action will continue, as the latest announcement does not address either the use of the 90 minutes or any clear timescale for implementation. The SSTA ballot arrangements are currently being finalised with an independent postal ballot provider, and members will receive full details early next week.
 
All members are encouraged to check and update their membership details as soon as possible to ensure ballot papers are delivered to the correct home address.