A symptom of the worry and confusion surrounding the Alternative Certification Model has been a sudden rise this week in the number of parents and learners making Freedom of Information Requests to schools and local authorities in relation to assessment instruments and procedures.
No teacher should be expected to gather any evidence in relation to FOI requests during their annual leave. On receipt of such a request the local authority should respond on behalf of the school with an acknowledgement and a timescale for a response. Live SQA materials and licensed materials must not be shared by schools, even if the request is made by FOI.
For members’ information, there are restrictions on what can be shared (eg not scripts/answers but only marks and markers’ comments). The time scale for responding to an FOI request after results have been announced is one month, if it is before then the response must be made within five months of the date of the request or within 40 days from when the results are published (whichever is earlier). There should be no requirement to share information which has already been shared.
Learners with concerns should be directed to the SQA Appeals procedure. If a learner submits an appeal then SQA may contact the school after 10 August to request evidence. Under no circumstances should evidence be released directly to parents.
More detail is available here: Exam results | ICO .
Category: Information for Members
-
Freedom of Information requests
-
SSTA Members’ Bulletin – 17 June 2021
SSTA Members’ Bulletin – 17 June 2021
£400 Alternative Certification Model Payment
The SSTA welcomes the one-off exceptional £400 payment for teachers supporting the delivery of the Alternative Certification Model for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications in 2020/2021.
Key points
Payment- Teachers in education authority schools, independent schools and grant aided schools, involved in delivery of the ACM, will receive a maximum taxable payment of £400.
- Funded by a Scottish Government grant to employers, schools must claim on behalf of relevant staff.
- Payment will be made to teachers through normal payroll arrangements.
Timing
- Schools can start processing details immediately. The final deadline for submission of forms is 30 September 2021.
- Staff with concerns about receiving the payment (e.g. because of a possible impact on benefits such as Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Legacy Benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Pension credit, Carer’s Allowance) should speak to their employer as soon as possible.
Eligibility criteria
- Teachers must have:
- supported the delivery of one or more of the following functions: assessing, marking or quality assuring National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher courses in academic session 2020/2021.
- been employed between 1 January 2021 and 25 June 2021 for the initial window and, where relevant, between the start of the new school year in August and 3 September 2021.
- Teachers who work full-time or part-time and are subject to a permanent or temporary contract are eligible.
- Those who were shielding; on sick leave; on maternity, paternity, adoption leave; or furloughed are not precluded from qualifying for this payment if they have had a role in supporting the delivery of the ACM.
- Those who have since left or retired are also eligible and should contact their former employer.
Calculation of payment
- For eligible staff, the payment will be based on average contracted hours and reflect the degree to which the employee’s individual work has supported the delivery of the ACM. This will require a judgement on the part of the headteacher. The SSTA expects headteachers to approach this in an open-handed way, taking account of individual teachers’ varied workloads.
- Teachers with multiple employers should ensure that each of their employers is aware of the proportion of their pro-rata payment to ensure that the maximum they receive is £400.
Complaints
- Teachers who believe that they have not received the correct payment should discuss the matter with their Headteacher in the first instance. They may contact info@ssta.org.uk for advice before doing so.
More information
- Please see ‘£400 Payment Guidance‘ for more detailed information.
-
SSTA Members Bulletin – 11 June 2021
School Teacher Pay 2021
The SNCT Extended Joint Chairs met on Monday 7 June but COSLA were not prepared to make an improved offer. COSLA said the reason for the lack of progress was that it is awaiting discussion on local government funding with Cabinet Secretary Kate Forbes and Shona Robison. The further discussions on finance between COSLA and Scottish Government are deemed necessary before there can be any reconsideration of the terms of the pay offer.
The Teachers’ Side noted COSLA’s position and made clear that the ongoing delay was very disappointing. COSLA was also urged to exhibit more urgency in improving its offer and reaching a pay settlement. The point was made forcibly that allowing this situation to drag on would not be conducive to educational recovery in session 2021-2022.
No date was set for the next meeting of the Extended Joint Chairs as this will be dependent upon the outcomes of the meetings between COSLA and the Cabinet Secretaries for Finance and Local Government.
Professional Update
The SSTA welcomes the GTCS announcement that the deadline for Professional Update has been extended to 31 October due to the current pressures in secondary schools. The SSTA would expect, therefore, that both PRD and Professional Update meetings do not take priority over the important focus on learning and teaching, as well as the gathering of evidence and assessment necessary before the end of this session.
Lead Teacher
The new post of Lead Teacher will be introduced into the SNCT Handbook from August 2021. The SNCT Lead Teacher report
The new role – which will command a salary of more than £47,000 a year – is to provide a promotion route for teachers who want to further their careers but who do not want to move into school management.
The Lead Teacher Role is described as: “school-based Lead Teachers will remain classroom teachers and should not be regarded as part of the school’s management structure. Their role therefore will include the duties of a teacher as set out in the SNCT Handbook. Lead Teachers would function alongside and complement the existing leadership roles, structures and posts, bringing clear additionality to the system through supporting the professional learning of colleagues in their context and beyond”.
National Qualifications 2021
The Alternative Certification Model (ACM) and the submission of grades is drawing to a close and there is an increasing concern that the process may lead to a rise in appeals. The ACM is restricted to demonstrated attainment only.
This is different to 2020, when teachers were able to use a mix of demonstrated and inferred attainment. Last year teachers had some flexibility to take into account the disruption caused by Covid. This year the SQA has made it clear that inferred attainment cannot be used. In the recent SSTA survey only 36% of members believed the evidence that they collected truly demonstrated their pupil’s attainment.
As a consequence, SSTA believes that there will be an increase in appeals and further scrutiny of how the schools submitted grades to the SQA. Therefore, SSTA encourages members to retain all records of their assessment.
This should include:- Your expected pupil attainment level (taking into account Covid-19)
- Your initial attainment level before moderation/verification, and
- The final grade submitted to the SQA by the school
Appeals Process (National Qualification 2021)
The SQA Appeals Process has been published and is to be managed by the SQA.
Students have been told they have to register for appeals between Friday 25 June and Thursday 12 August. If they miss the 12 August deadline, they have been told teachers and lecturers can appeal on their behalf until Monday 16 August.
However, as mentioned above, because students are also told they should have another discussion about their options with their teacher or lecturer after results day on Tuesday 10 August, questions are being asked about how this will be possible when many schools are still off for the summer break.
SSTA advises its members not to pre-empt any appeals but to await the formal notification from the SQA in August.
The SQA ‘out of touch’
The SSTA understands that the SQA are conducting post submission checks to take place between 25 June and 7 July. Schools are being advised that SQA will contact them and they must respond by 5 July. This is totally unrealistic as the vast majority of schools will be closed for the summer and teachers will be unavailable.
In addition, priority appeals are now scheduled to be submitted no later than 16 August when a number of schools are due to return. This would not allow schools sufficient time to identify the appeals, gather the evidence and have it packaged without teachers working through their holidays.
The SQA appears to have little understanding or respect for schools or staff if it expects teachers to work through the summer vacation.
SSTA recommends that all teachers take a well-earned break and step away from all work until they return to school in August. The last thing teachers need is another vacation period ruined.
Teachers Deserve A Break – Make Sure You Take It
-
SSTA Survey – Alternative Certification Model (ACM) – May 2021
The SSTA conducted a survey in response to the high numbers of members raising concerns regarding the Alternative Certification Model (ACM) and its impact on teachers and their pupils.
Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said
“The SSTA received 1711 responses which gave a clear indication of the difficulties teachers and pupils are facing in trying to deliver the ACM.
“The SQA is in its ‘own world’, oblivious to the real situation in schools. It has shown little understanding of the situation in schools and the damage it is doing to pupils and teachers. The SQA’s focus is continuing to ‘fiddle while Rome burns’.
“The collecting of evidence demanded by SQA in such a short time period, without making any allowance for the disruption caused by the pandemic, is putting a heavy burden on teachers and pupils. 96% of teachers said that the collection, marking and moderation of evidence has created substantial additional stress/pressure for them. 92% of teachers also said that the ACM process has created substantial additional stress/pressure for their pupils”
“More worryingly, only 36% of members believed that the evidence that they have collected truly demonstrated their pupil’s attainment. This highlights the potentially high number of pupils who will get grades lower than would have been expected in a normal year”.
“The SQA’s focus on collected evidence, which doesn’t adequately take into account the disruption in schools, will lead to a large number of disillusioned young people and very unhappy parents”.
“The SQA must change its stance and allow the flexibility for teacher professional judgement, in addition to the collected evidence, to ensure all young people achieve the results that they deserve”.
SSTA Headteachers members have said
“No proper Headteacher representation on the NQ2021 group to talk about the actual operational actions that they have asked us to do – clearly no one on that group has had recent or living school experience”.
“This whole ACM has been a nightmare of stress for both staff and pupils. I have visibly seen the stress on the faces of my staff and the pupils. This has been the worst, most pressurised time of my whole career”.
Attached: Appendix A – Survey Results
Appendix B – Selection of Members Comments -
Members Bulletin – Schools Reopening
Members Bulletin – Schools Reopening
The Scottish Government confirmed on 6 April that all secondary school pupils would be back in school on a full time basis after the Easter holidays. The Government published its ‘Guidance for opening schools in April 2021’ Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
This guidance includes:- Confirmation that a full-time return for secondary schools is on the basis of no physical distancing required between pupils
- School staff and other adults in the school should continue to apply strict 2m distancing when with other adults and with pupils.
- All staff areas and schools must ensure adequate staff facilities in all staff areas with 2 metre physical distancing
- Update on vulnerable and shielding staff to follow medical advice
- Face coverings should now be worn at all times by staff and young people in secondary schools; (including S1-S3 learners) in classrooms, in communal areas and when moving about the school.
- Pupils behaving or acting in a way which doesn’t align with school policy or procedure can be excluded.
- Focus on ventilation and other mitigations
- C02 monitors being provided to schools – mixed picture in local authorities
SSTA Advice
- SAFETY FIRST must be the first priority in all workplaces
- All Risk Assessments including individual risk assessments must be reviewed
- Risk assessments of vulnerable and shielding staff need to be cognisant of their own individual medical practitioner instructions
- All staff must follow all the mitigation measures including 2 metre physical distancing and the wearing of face coverings
- Secondary schools should look to minimise movement of young people and staff when in school.
- Staff numbers working in school buildings should be kept to the minimum required at any one time; all others should continue to work from home
National Qualifications 2021
The Government guidance states- The priority during the phased return from 15 March, and on immediate return after Easter, should be to maximise learning and teaching time. This will impact on the timing of assessment, which can take place in the later stages of the 2020-21 session.
- SQA has produced subject-specific guidance for a range of qualifications, taking into account disruption to learning this year, that sets out the key evidence required for each course.
- National standards will be applied based on a holistic assessment of this key evidence of demonstrated attainment, to determine provisional results.
- Teachers should use the flexibility to assess learners at times and in ways that are appropriate to their needs in order to manage the assessment burden on young people during the remainder of the academic session.
Additional in-service days and £400
The First Minister’s announced that two additional days will be set aside for assessment procedures, with teachers and lecturers involved in awarding national qualifications this year receiving a one-off payment of £400.
The Government has written to Directors of Education notifying them of the ability to use two additional in-service days for supporting the delivery of the Alternative Certification Model (ACM). They were advised that these days could be deployed flexibly at the discretion of individual Local Authorities.
The Government is continuing to work through the exact eligibility criteria, but it appears to be any teacher who is involved in at least one activity of assessing, marking or moderating a National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher course would be eligible for the £400 payment. As this is a payment in respect of additional work associated with the Alternative Certification Model (ACM), and given the time needed to make payroll changes, it is likely that a payment will be in July/August after the conclusion of the centre based element of the ACM.
SSTA Comment
The arrangements for National Qualifications 2021 will create severe workload complications for both pupils and teachers and puts undue pressure in providing evidence to meet the SQA demands.
The use of the two additional in-service days has been left to individual local authorities and appears to be for the purpose of verification and not time for preparation and correction of evidence. The reports we have at present show a wide variance, with some Local Authorities using the dates in early May whilst others are preparing for dates in mid-June. These discrepancies will only add to the pressure on pupils and teachers.
The SSTA believes an over bureaucratic national qualifications process is unachievable and the focus must be on supporting teachers making competent professional judgments and not gathering evidence to replace the teachers’ professional judgement. It is essential that all pupils receive grades that reflect their merits throughout the course.
Members must ensure that Headteachers are made aware of the time necessary to undertake all tasks associated with the national qualifications 2021 at the earliest opportunity. Working Time Agreements will need to be reviewed in light of the demands of the Alternative Certification Model.
The SSTA’s view of the £400 additional payment, despite it being inadequate and not reflective of the work or the expertise required in the process, should be paid to all secondary teachers.
School Teachers’ Pay 2021
The latest meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs took place on 31 March. The employers were unable to make an improved pay offer until a meeting with the Finance Minister had taken place. Although an agreement was made to continue discussions it will be unlikely any progress will be made until after the Scottish Parliament elections in May.
Teachers’ Pension Consultation – Increase in age for access to pension
A consultation has been opened by the Government on the increase of the age where pensions can be accessed from 55 to 57 by 6 April 2028.
The consultation that closes on 22 April 2021 and individuals are able to respond.
The SSTA is opposed to the proposed change. The SSTA argues against any further increases applying to the Minimum Pension Age both for existing teachers and new teachers coming into the profession. Once again, the government risks discriminating against new and old members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
Should a scheme member exercise their right to retire early, the scheme applies an actuarial adjustment to those benefits to ensure that there is no extra burden on the public purse.
See the SSTA response to the Consultation here -
SNCT Pay Negotiations 2021 – SSTA Rejects Pay Offer
The SNCT Teachers’ Side Negotiators (SSTA and EIS) met with COSLA (the employers) and Government Officials on Wednesday 17 March to respond to the Employers 2021 Pay Offer.
The SNCT Teachers’ Side submitted a pay claim for 2021 for a pay increase in the financial range of 3% – 5% in December 2021 . COSLA responded by making an offer in line with Government’s pay policy.
The offer from COSLA is:- A 2% uplift for those earning up £40,000 (all main grade teachers up to Point 4); and
- A 1% rise for those earning over £40,000 with a cap of £800 (all teacher grades from Point 5 and above). (please add the COSLA Pay Offer)
The SNCT teachers’ side were clear that the offer was unacceptable as not only would it leave some members with below inflation pay increases but moreover the differentiated nature of the offer was contrary to the need for a universal percentage for all teachers and associated professionals at all grades.
Further negotiations are planned and the next meeting will be on 31 March. -
SSTA Response to SQA Appeals Consultation
The SSTA Education Committee met on 17 March 2021 to discuss and agree a collective response to the SQA’s 2021 NQ Appeals Process Consultation on behalf of SSTA members. You can view the SSTA Response here. SSTA members are, of course, still able to respond individually at https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/96506.html.
In making its response the Committee was mindful of:- Teacher workload
- Fairness to learners
- Maintaining confidence in National Qualifications
- The importance of good, clear communication
The response was uploaded to https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/96506.html at 0915 on 18 March 2021.
-
School Reopening – 15 March 2021 – Update
School Reopening – 15 March 2021
On the 9 March the First Minister confirmed the proposal for the return of secondary school pupils from the 15 March.- All secondary pupils will return on a part-time basis from 15 March – it is the intention that all secondary school pupils will return to spend some time in school from 15 March until the Easter break.
- It is expected that all secondary school pupils will be back in school on a full time basis after the Easter holidays.
The Government published its guidance for the reopening of schools on 8 March. Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Guidance on arrangements for the phased reopening of schools in March 2021
In addition, Education Scotland produced its guidance for schools ‘Guidance for in-school and remote learning S1 – S6,’ intended to give further assistance to schools:
The SSTA Position
The Government’s plan has created operational problems for schools by trying to accommodate all pupils at some point during the weeks preceding the Easter break. The arrangements for pupil return and managing parental expectations has been left to the schools. This will only add to the pressure on teachers trying to meet pupil needs and ensure good parental communication. The SSTA advises:
Safety First- SSTA’s first priority is SAFETY FIRST.
- SSTA School Representatives have been advised to work with members of the school management to devise a work plan this is manageable to ensure that safety of all staff and pupils is not compromised.
- All Risk Assessments including individual risk assessments must be reviewed to ensure that staff are not put at risk (please note all previous risk assessments do not take into account the new variants).
- Vulnerable and shielding staff should be encouraged to work from home and support remote learning.
- Secondary schools should look to minimise movement of young people and staff when in school.
- Staff numbers working in school buildings should be kept to the minimum required; all others should continue to work from home in line with Government advice.
Safety Measures
- Face coverings to be worn at all times by staff and young people in secondary school. SSTA advocates the provision of FFP2 masks for staff and pupils.
- A greater emphasis should be placed on good ventilation. SSTA advocates the use of CO2 monitors and air purification systems where necessary.
- Strict 2 metre distancing to be observed in the school building in secondary schools.
School Priorities
- Vulnerable young people and the children of keyworkers to continue to be supported in school.
- Senior phase students (S4-S6) who are taking national qualifications will have priority for face-to-face lessons in school.
- All secondary pupils will return on a part-time basis from 15 March – it is the intention that all secondary school pupils will return to spend some time in school from 15 March until the Easter break.
Parental Expectations
- Parental expectations need to be managed. The proposed arrangements are not a return to ‘normal’ schooling.
- Parental support is essential to ensure all safety measures are observed by all pupils.
- Councils will decide how to balance safely in-school learning for secondary school learners based on local circumstances and needs.
- Remote learning will be much reduced as a consequence of the proposed school reopening measures.
Teacher Workload
- Members are advised to focus on the pupils they will be asked to teach/supervise in the period before the Easter break.
- ‘Face to Face’ teaching is the priority with ‘Remote Learning’ only being continued if time is available.
- Members should not be expected to continue remote learning if required to be in school teaching or supervising pupils.
- Online livestreaming of classroom lessons must not take place.
- All teachers need a good rest during the Easter break.
School Return after Easter
- The SSTA has a major concern that the Government’s intention for all secondary school pupils to be back in school on a full time basis after the Easter break is an unrealistic expectation.
- This intention will lead to further work being undertaken by school staff during the Easter break in preparation for a full pupil return
- SSTA is of the view that arrangements will need to be the similar to those in place before the Easter break. There should only be a phased increase of pupils when restrictions are eased in the community (for example following the removal of 2 metre physical distancing guidelines).
National Qualifications 2021 and £400
Finally, following the First Minister’s announcement on 16 February that two additional days will be set aside for assessment procedures, with teachers and lecturers involved in awarding national qualifications this year receiving a one-off payment of £400 (pro-rata), no further detail has yet been forthcoming. Information will be circulated as soon as it is received. -
School Reopening – 15 March 2021
On the 2 March the First Minister announced proposals for the return of secondary school pupils. The First Minister added that the plans are conditional on continued progress on suppressing coronavirus (COVID-19). The statement included:
- All secondary pupils will return on a part-time basis from 15 March – it is the intention that all secondary school pupils will return to spend some time in school from 15 March until the Easter break.
- Councils will decide how to balance safely in-school learning for secondary school learners based on local circumstances and needs.
- Senior phase students (S4-S6) who are taking national qualifications will have priority for face-to-face lessons in school.
- Vulnerable young people and the children of keyworkers to continue to be supported in school
- Remote learning will continue in parallel for all secondary school learners.
- Face coverings to be worn at all times by staff and young people in secondary school.
- A greater emphasis should be placed on good ventilation.
- Strict 2 metre distancing to be observed in the school building in secondary schools.
- Secondary schools should look to minimise movement of young people and staff when in school
- It is expected that all secondary school pupils will be back in school on a full time basis after the Easter holidays.
Education Scotland subsequently produced ‘Guidance for in-school and remote learning S1 – S6,’ intended to give further assistance to schools:
In addition, the Government is also preparing supplementary ‘Reducing Risks Guidance,’ expected to be published on Monday 8 March.
The SSTA Position
The First Minister’s statement has created serious operational problems for schools by trying to accommodate all pupils at some point during the weeks preceding the Easter break.
The SSTA had been expecting an increase in senior pupils before Easter should there be progress on suppressing the virus. This could be managed if schools were able to ensure all mitigations were in place, such as 2 metre physical distancing, face coverings for all, appropriate ventilation, and the review of all risk assessments, with all vulnerable and shielding staff remaining at home and expected to support remote learning.
The arrangements for pupil return and managing parental expectations has been left to the schools. This will only add to the pressure on teachers trying to meet pupil needs and ensure good parental communication. Schools are encouraged to work with trade unions to ensure safety measures are in place to protect both pupils and staff. Timetables and opportunities for pupil engagement need to be realistic and should not add to teacher workload. Parents need to be aware that this is a limited return to face to face engagement and as a consequence there will be a reduction in remote learning provision.
In an effort to support members in the preparations for the 15 March the SSTA has arranged an online School Representatives’ Briefing on Monday 8 March at 4.00pm.
Further details for the School Reps’ Briefing will be sent separately. If your school does not have a rep please contact the SSTA office for further information by email at info@ssta.org.uk
