The June 2025 SSTA Newsletter is available for members to download. The newsletter contains information on: Presidential Address to Congress Report of the General Secretary at Congress Cabinet Secretary at Congress Motions Passed at Congress 2025 Behaviour Action Plan Presentation Pauline Stephen, GTCs at Congress Health & Safety Walkabout in Secondary Schools Financial Statement to members for period ended 31 December 2024 National Awards

Press Release - 23 June 2025 As part of the SSTA’s campaign to reduce teachers’ class-contact time by 90 minutes, the “Delivering the 90 minutes and protecting secondary teachers” member survey was launched last week. Within days, the SSTA received nearly 1,700 responses.Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary, said:“The survey shows that all secondary teachers work beyond their 35-hour contractual week and provide huge amounts of ‘free overtime’. Yet the employers (COSLA) fail to recognise the significance of the Scottish Government’s promise…

'Delivering the 90 minutes and protecting secondary teachers' member survey As part of the 'Delivering the 90 minutes and protecting secondary teachers' member survey we asked about teachers workload. You have shown how much 'Free Overtime' you give in the interests of the children and the school. Nearly 1,700 members have responded within a few days of the survey starting and it has shown the importance of getting a reduction in class contact time.  At this point we can share some of the…

Relationships and Behaviour Action Plan - Welcomed by SSTA The Scottish Government published the Relationships and Behaviour Action Plan in August 2024. The 3-year action plan was developed by the Scottish Advisory Group on Relationships and Behaviour in Schools (SAGRABIS) Improving relationships and behaviour in schools: ensuring safe and consistent environments for all Joint action plan 2024 - 2027   As part of the action plan the following documents have been published. Gender based violence Guidance on Mobile Phones in Scotland’s Schools  ‘Respect for All’…

'Delivering the 90 minutes and protecting secondary teachers' member survey Reducing class contact time is a crucial step in addressing excessive teacher workload. Despite this, employers have failed to recognise the significance of the promised 90 minutes for teachers’ wellbeing and effectiveness. Alongside other teaching unions, the SSTA has reached the limit of its patience and will now ask members whether they are prepared to escalate the dispute and move toward industrial action.The SSTA is seeking the following: That agreement…

'Industrial Action Sanctioned' - Reduction in Class Contact Time  As no progress has been made toward the long-promised reduction in class contact time, the SSTA National Executive has sanctioned a consultative survey of members for industrial action. The reduction of 90 minutes class contact time was promised by the Scottish Government four years ago and COSLA has baulked at every turn to progress the promise. The reduction of class contact time is a small step in addressing teacher workload and the…

SNCT Pay Claim 2025-2026  ‘Doubt if it will be delivered on time’ The SNCT Teachers’ Side continues to await an improved pay offer, following the rejection of the initial 3% offer in March. The SSTA, alongside the EIS, has engaged with employers (COSLA) and the Scottish Government in efforts to reach a fair and timely settlement before the end of term.The Teachers’ Side has consistently reiterated its position that any revised pay offer must: Exceed the rate of inflation, Include…

Report of the General Secretary 80th Annual Congress of the SSTA Friday, 9 May 2025 Opening Remarks Good afternoon, President, distinguished guests, and esteemed delegates of Congress. It is with profound gratitude, and a deep sense of duty, that I stand before you today, having once again been entrusted with the role of General Secretary. Over the past ten years, I’ve had the privilege of serving this organization through a time of significant change. And as we look ahead, it…

SSTA 80th Annual Congress Stirling Court Hotel, Stirling Friday 9th May 2025 Presidential Address: Stuart Hunter Introduction Distinguished guests, sister professional associations from these islands, Past Presidents and to all of our delegates from districts and areas of Scotland, welcome to our 80th Annual Congress. Eighty One Years ago, a number of Secondary teachers left the EIS to form the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association, an association dedicated to being the voice of secondary teachers, that dedication has been strictly adhered…

SSTA Congress 2025The 80th SSTA Annual Congress is taking place on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 May at the Stirling Court Hotel. SSTA delegates from across Scotland will be gathering to debate important issues and make SSTA policy. Issues to be debated includes National Qualifications, ASN, Teacher Health and Wellbeing, Improvements to Family Leave, School Inspections, and Teacher Workload.In addition, to the Presidents and General Secretary’s address to Congress, Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and Pauline Stephen Chief…