COVID-19: Message to Members

The SSTA reaffirms the advice to members issued on Friday 20 March. Please follow this advice and all members will be supported in your actions by the SSTA.The first consideration for members must be your own personal safety. If you, or a member of your household, have any of the symptoms then you must follow the health guidance and isolate.If you have an underlying health condition, or are a part of a vulnerable group, you must work from home.If you have…

School Closures - SSTA Members Advice

The First Minister made a statement on Wednesday 18 March that all schools are closed as from the 17.00 on Friday 20 March. The closure of schools is on medical and scientific advice. There must be no normal lessons, including senior classes, taking place after this date as schools are closed. Arrangements for making provision for children of key workers and vulnerable children in school buildings is at an early stage. The number of pupils and the number of staff…

COVID-19: Working at Home

Thursday 19 March 2020 The situation is still changing and it will change further this afternoon following the Deputy First Minister Statement. The SSTA will be issuing advice on Friday once the implications have been considered. Please find a link to a COSLA document that was finalised on Wednesday evening. This document is focused upon ‘working at home’ and applies to all Local Authority employees. This hopefully clarifies the situation for teachers.

COVID-19: SSTA Members Update - 17 March 2020

The SSTA is in constant contact with the Government and employers regarding guidance to members and schools during this difficult time. The situation and guidance on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is continually updating and changing. I have tried to lay out the current position and guidance to help answer most of your questions. Please follow the link to previous advice.The Government has made the decision to keep schools open where possible “We recommend all educational settings remain open unless you have been advised…

COVID-19 - SSTA Advice to Members

The situation and guidance on COVID-19 is changing and will continue to change in coming days and weeks. The SSTA will continue to update you on any changes that may occur.Please find below the official links for information on COVID-19.NHS Scotland. COVID-19 can cause respiratory illness of varying severity. Currently, there is no vaccine and no specific treatment for infection with the virus.https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirusHealth Protection Scotland (HPS). The key source of advice for all schools and educational settings including early learning and childcare…
Papers-and-classroom

Additional In-Service Days -Teacher Workload Still Increasing

As part of the three-year pay deal the teacher unions together with the Government and COSLA (employers) made a commitment to reducing teacher workload. Two additional in-service days were allocated within the 2019-2020 school session to help schools to identify and reduce teacher workload. The SSTA conducted a survey of school representatives in December 2019 to gauge the impact of the additional in-service days in reducing teacher workload. Despite the commitment from the Government and COSLA, SSTA representatives reported that…

SSTA Members Update - 16 January 2020

GTCS Council ElectionsSSTA is supporting the nominations of Catherine Nicol and Kevin Campbell in the GTCS Council elections. The SSTA is encouraging members to vote for these candidates. SNCT Career PathwaysThe SNCT working has established three working groups to take forward the recommendations from the ‘Career Pathways Report’. The working groups have all met and are undertaking detailed work. The three groups are: New post of Lead Teacher to introduce a new career path for teachers in specialist roles in curricular, pedagogical and policy delivery.Career pathways…
Retirement

Pre-Retirement Seminars 2020

In conjunction with Stuart McCullough from L-Life Ltd, the SSTA is holding a number of Pre-Retirement seminars at the beginning of 2020. These seminars are designed to give guidance to members who are considering retiring in the next few years. Members are advised to gain information that will assist in planning the next step in their future. A list of dates and venues of the seminars is shown below. DateTimingCityLocationMonday 03 February17:30-20:00GlasgowMercure City HotelBook PlaceWednesday 05 February17:00-19:30EdinburghSSTA Head OfficeBook PlaceThursday…

General Secretary Report - December 2019

SNCT Career Pathways Report      3 SNCT working groups established Career pathway established for specialist roles in curricular, pedagogical and policy delivery through the creation of a new post of Lead Teacher. Career pathways for Headteachers within and beyond Headship should be recognised including new opportunities in system leadership. A national model for sabbaticals should be developed for all teachers, including Headteachers that is both attractive and sustainable. Review of Senior Phase Education and Skills Committee concerns regarding reduction in…

SSTA Members Bulletin – November 2019

SNCT Career Pathways Working GroupsThree SNCT working groups have been established to develop the recommendations in the Career Pathway Report with SSTA represented on all groups. Career pathway established for specialist roles in curricular, pedagogical and policy delivery through the creation of a new post of Lead Teacher.Career pathways for Headteachers within and beyond Headship should be recognised including new opportunities in system leadership.A national model for sabbaticals should be developed for all teachers, including Headteachers that is both attractive and sustainable.       Reports on the…