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 and found an inconsistent approach in schools across Scotland. The SSTA is demanding that the Government set a good example and ensure the highest standards of safety across all schools in Scotland”.

“Physical distancing and the wearing of face coverings are essential parts of keeping people safe and must be the starting point in all schools”.

One rep said “Face coverings are a particular concern at our very large secondary. Pupils are actively defying government guidance and school management has failed to implement and reiterate guidance effectively. The lack of consequences for students is adding to members’ anxiety and stress levels as they do not feel safe at work”.

Another rep said “Pupils not wearing masks in communal areas and ordinary staff trying to enforce this is being met with abuse etc. No consequences apparent for not doing so. Complacency over cleaning and hand anti-bacterial by pupils now. We need stronger measures in place. It's a nightmare”.

Seamus Searson, added  “The Government is due to publish updated guidance for schools in the coming days but the SSTA fears that many measures are likely not to be mandatory. Teachers are desperate for clear definitive measures to keep all staff and pupils safe. Unfortunately, too many Local Authorities and schools choose to see the guidance as optional especially if extra costs are involved. The Government needs to step up and ensure the highest standards and provide all the finance necessary to keep schools open”.

“The Government must also be prepared to reduce the numbers of pupils attending school or closing schools to keep both pupils and staff safe”.
 
 (Please note: Further comments from reps can be found at the end of this message)
 
SSTA Survey Main Findings

• The SSTA survey showed that 38% of schools had mostly introduced measures of physical distancing around the school with 12% of schools having no physical distancing measures at all. 49% had introduced some measures around the school.
• Physical distancing in classrooms 28% of most secondary schools had introduced physical distancing measures in classrooms. 15% had none at all while a further 49% had some.
• 64% of senior pupils mostly wore face coverings around the school with 69% of junior pupils mostly wearing face coverings around the school.
• Only 2% of all pupils wore face coverings in classrooms whilst 53% of senior classes and 49% of junior pupils wore no face coverings at all in classrooms.
• 94% of staff mostly wear face coverings around the school
• 21% of staff mostly wearing face coverings in classrooms with a further 63% sometimes wearing face coverings in classrooms.
• 27% of schools provided no face coverings for staff and 15% provided no face coverings for pupils

The SSTA recommends that all employers ensure that

• Physical distancing measures must be in place in all school areas, including staff rooms and classrooms, reducing class sizes where necessary.
• Face coverings are provided for all staff and must be worn in all areas including classrooms.
• Face coverings are provided for all pupils and must be worn in all areas including classrooms
• People who refuse to wear a mask must not be allowed to attend school. Medical reasons are the exception with additional safety measures.
• Plastic screens to be placed in classrooms where physical distancing is difficult and where staff request them.
• Staff should not be required to share equipment, especially ICT equipment
• All staff meetings are conducted remotely
• Visitors must not be allowed in schools unless absolutely necessary.
• Vulnerable staff should be protected and work from home where appropriate.
• Provision of cleaning materials in every classroom.
• Regular risk assessment completed for all student and supply teachers. They need to be adequately prepared with the current guidelines to adhere to school policy.

Comments from Members

“There is limited use of face coverings by pupils and limited enforcement by SMT at entry to school and other areas”.

“There is really poor ventilation of rooms given recent decrease in temperatures and heating is not on in school yet, so if windows or vents open rooms are exceptionally cold”.

“Positive behaviour policy has been deemed fit for purpose by HT and has not been changed to allow different "sanctions" as a result of failures to adhere to new covid safety measures”.

“Pupils make little or no attempt to maintain social distancing on the whole”.

“While provisions are in place for social distancing and pupils are supposed to wear masks between classes, this cannot be enforced (headmaster has admitted this) and many ignore the rules”.

“Once in class pupils don't wear face coverings and are arranged in rows; my desks in the Chemistry lab were in fact further apart prior to lockdown but were changed as pupils shouldn't face each other”.

“I wish the government would just come clean and say that teachers will have to remain at their work even if COVID-19 spreads through schools they are being disingenuous!”

“Already guidance from council is suggesting that as long as teachers are wearing face coverings in class, that will be enough to stop them self-isolating, even if they have been in contact with pupils testing positive for COVID-19”.

“The school is implementing social distancing but it is VERY hard with pupils to genuinely keep this distance, they just keep coming up to you and you have to keep reminding them”.

“Social distancing in school corridors and classrooms non-existent. About 20% of pupils wear facemasks in corridors”.

“There has been a laid back attitude by management around the corona virus. Staff are expected to bring in their own masks. Very large numbers of pupils do not wear any masks at any time - a remarkably large number have become asthmatic during lockdown! Social distancing is only in place in dining areas - there has been no sanctions for pupils not remaining in their assigned areas”.

“HT wants it similar to last year with little/no alterations or consideration for the current situation. Health and well-being of staff was a serious topic during lockdown however it’s no longer a consideration as we are ‘back to normal’. Very worrying”.

“Pupils not wearing masks in communal areas and ordinary staff trying to enforce this is being met with abuse etc. No consequences apparent for not doing so. Complacency over cleaning and hand anti-bacterial by pupils now. We need stronger measures in place. It's a nightmare”.

SSTA School Representative Survey Results – October 2020

A summary of the School Representatives Survey Results can be downloaded here.

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 continues to press the Scottish Government and employers to introduce measures to keep staff and pupils safe. The priority must be ‘Safety First’ of all staff and pupils. The SSTA has updated its guidance and recommendations on measures to keep staff safe 

The Education Recovery Year

This school year has been labelled the ‘Education Recovery Year’ and the main priority for all schools during this national emergency is to support all the pupils who have suffered because of ‘lockdown’. All schools have been promised additional teachers to assist teaching and learning during this academic year. This should mean a reduction of class sizes and additional support for pupils that have missed out the most during lockdown. This is not a ‘normal’ school year and many of the tasks that have been expected of schools should be stood down in preference of supporting teaching and learning. The SSTA will also be urging the Scottish Government not to reintroduce school inspections this year. Please see the SSTA advice here.

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 ensure members’ safety, such as face coverings for older pupils, high standard cleaning regimes and strict physical distancing measures.

These measures are now becoming the way forward particularly with the increasing number of pupils at a number of different schools having tested positive for COVID-19 infection. These cases illustrate the serious risk of the virus spreading through school communities if strict measures are not put in place. In addition, we are expecting a reduction in class sizes in some instances to ensure physical distancing measures and assist the support for learning of all pupils during this Education Recovery Year.

Following the return to schools we are receiving reports from members where measures to ensure staff safety are not in place or are not being enforced. We will be carrying out a follow-up survey to assess the progress being made and the issues that need further action. You will receive a separate invitation to participate and your responses are vital in making progress in working conditions with the Scottish Government and Local Authorities.

SQA and Exams 2021

The Scottish Government decision to use teachers’ professional judgment this year was a major relief for most teachers, pupils and their parents. However, the arrangements for 2021 have still to be confirmed and the use of teacher professional judgement may become a major feature in the coming months. At this stage members are advised not to introduce any additional measures that will increase teacher workload and pressure on pupils.

On the 14 August the SQA launched two consultations on the modifications to National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher course assessments with a closing date of 24 August. The consultations are a technical consultation and survey on the proposed modifications for each course.

The SSTA Education Committee will be submitting a response but would welcome your views should you have concerns regarding the changes proposed in your particular subject(s). A short response stating your subject(s) and your concerns would be appreciated.

Keep safe

Seamus Searson
General Secretary

The Scottish Government statement on 30 July committed schools to reopen to all pupils by 18 August. This was supported by the Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on preparing for the start of the new school term in August 2020 document. 
 
This document was to be the reassurance for schools that they would be safe to return. It is expected that all the measures included in the document would be the minimum requirement for schools to return. In addition, the SSTA issued advice that went further to highlight the importance of keeping teachers safe. The SSTA has been in contact with the employers and Government to urge them to add additional measures to protect all staff in schools.
 
Unfortunately we are getting reports from schools that many of the measures necessary for the reopening schools have not been implemented and members are being put at risk. Members  have reported dirty classrooms, no additional cleaning schedules, lack of hand sanitisers, no additional cleaning materials in classrooms, and a disregard of physical distancing  measures. It appears to us that many schools are not ready to receive pupils and schools should be considering delaying the return of pupils. It is the duty of the employer to ensure staff safety and act upon all risk assessments. The SSTA has informed COSLA and the Government of the unpreparedness of schools and expects action to be taken to address these issues.
 
Should your school not have all the necessary arrangements in place to ensure staff safety and the receiving of pupils you should write to the Head Teacher outlining their concerns and asking about the Risk Assessments which should have been done and acted upon. The Headteacher should provide a written response. Please copy your correspondence and reply to info@ssta.org.uk. The examples returned will be used in discussions with employers and Government to ensure safe working environments.

Yours sincerely

Seamus Searson
General Secretary

Tuesday 11 August 2020

The SSTA conducted a survey of members prior to the reopening of schools to gauge the confidence of teachers returning to school. The survey received 2,615 responses and highlighted the concerns of members.

Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “The survey showed the high lack of teacher confidence in schools and their employers to ensure their safety upon the reopening of schools. The survey showed that 40% of members were not confident about returning to work with only 7% of members very confident.  41% of members had no confidence in their employer ensuring that their workplace would be safe upon their return”.

“29% of members who responded identified as having an underlying health condition or as being a member of a vulnerable group, with 75% of these not being contacted by the employer prior to the return to work to carry out an individual risk assessment. These teachers are extremely worried that their employer is not taking the threat to their well-being seriously”.
 
“The survey highlighted the high number of teachers who were unaware of fundamental safety measures to be put in place in their workplaces such as risk assessments (85%), physical distancing measures (57%) and cleaning regimes (67%) introduced in their classrooms”
 
“When it came to cleaning classrooms 19% of teachers were being expected to clean their classrooms between classes whilst 24% expected that the pupils would be expected to carry out the task”

“Only 14% of members were aware that were to be allocated an individual work area with appropriate physical distancing and 39% expected to share ICT equipment with other members of staff”
 
“A major concern for members was the lack of a detailed pupil discipline policy that includes actions for pupils who refuse to adhere to physical distancing and safety measures (such as hand hygiene) with only 7% of members indicating such a policy was in place in their school”.
 
[Ends]
 
Appendix A – Survey Results.
Appendix B – Selection of Members Comments