Category: Information for Members

SSTA Congress 2025

The 80^th 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 Executive of GTC Scotland will be speaking to Congress.

Please see the link to the Congress Agenda

The SSTA Congress will be streamed online, and all members are invited to join and hear the proceedings.

See Stuart Hunter SSTA President interview prior to Congress. Scottish education is broken says teachers’ union president


SNCT Pay Claim 2025-2026

The SNCT Teachers’ Side rejected the employers 3% pay offer (17 March) and to date no further offer has been received. The SNCT Teachers’ Side have reiterated the position that any pay offer must be above inflation with an additional restorative pay element and undifferentiated for all SNCT pay grades. A meeting of the SNCT is taking place on 14 May and an improved pay may follow.


Reduction in Class Contact Time

The SSTA Teachers’ Side wrote to the First Minister in March expressing concern about the further delay in moving forward on the 90-minute reduction in teacher class contact time and the exclusion of the Teachers’ Side in the discussions. The First Minister has responded but the Teachers’ Side is engaged in discussion with Scottish Government officials to move business forward. Please see First Minister’s Letter.


SPPA Teachers Circular 2025/05 – McCloud Remedy administration – Remediable Service Statements 

The purpose of this circular is to set out the revised deadlines for the delivery of Remediable Service Statements to scheme members. The Scottish Teachers Circular 2025/05 has been published on the SPPA website.

SNCT Teachers’ Side Meeting

 The next SNCT Teachers’ Side meeting will take place on Monday 17 March 2025 to consider the lack of progress on a pay offer and the reduction on class contact time. Despite a series of meetings to try and progress these issues little progress has been made. A formal pay claim for a 6% undifferentiated pay rise for all SNCT salary scale points was made on the 14 February . It is understood that COSLA Leaders met on the 28 February and issued a mandate to negotiate a pay increase, however, no pay offer has been received.
 
The SNCT Teachers’ Side will decide the next steps in resolving the pay situation and the dispute on the failure to move forward on the reduction of class contact time. Further update to follow next week.

Behaviour Action Plan – Presentation

Poor pupil behaviour is a major driver of stress and increased workload and the SSTA has continued to press the Scottish Government for a unified approach to support teachers in meeting the needs of pupils. The SSTA webinar on the Scottish Government’s Behaviour Action Plan was well received by members who were able to attend. The webinar was led by our SSTA representative on the SAGRABIS Committee. This presentation gives an overview of the action plan, the way forward and can be viewed here 

Effective Meeting Skills – Wednesday 26 March, 5.00pm (online)

The Association is offering a training session on developing members’ effective meeting skills.  This is anticipated to be helpful for School Representatives, District Secretaries, Conveners, and anyone else who is required to chair meetings of Association members.  It is also open to any other member wishing to understand how to make meetings more effective.  The session will look at the skills involved in running meetings which are focused, productive, and inclusive. We will discuss engagement, time management, and the value of clear outcomes.  Please follow the link below to reserve your place.

• Wednesday 26 March, 5.00pm – Online 

National evaluation of local authority support for school improvement

HM Inspectors have published a National evaluation of local authority support for school improvement following visits to all 32 local authorities.

The report highlights strong leadership, effective self-evaluation, and collaborative working as key strengths, while also identifying inconsistencies in the level and quality of support provided to schools. It calls for a stronger focus on ensuring all schools receive high-quality, well-moderated support and that leadership development at all levels is strengthened. Follow the link to see the full report  national evaluation of how local authorities support school improvement,

To keep up with the latest news follow the SSTA at: –

• SSTA Website – https://ssta.org.uk 
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sstatradeunion
• X  – https://x.com/SSTAtradeunion
• Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/sstatradeunion.bsky.social

Formal Dispute Declared  

Failure to move forward on the Reduction in Teacher Contact Time (90 minutes)

The SSTA and the other teacher unions gave notice to the employers that the SNCT Teachers’ Side would move to a formal trade dispute if no proposal to introduce a reduction in teacher class contact time was received by Monday 3 February. The deadline passed and the SNCT Teachers’ Side met on Friday 7 February and declared a dispute. Please follow link SNCT Teachers’ Side Statement

SNCT Pay Claim 2025-2026

At the SNCT Teachers’ Side meeting on Friday 7 February 2025 a pay claim was agreed. The SSTA position was for a pay claim that is above the 3.5% Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) figure plus a significant % increase in restoring teacher salaries to the ‘true’ value seen in the past. It was decided to delay the announcement of the pay claim until the end of the week to allow some time for the dispute on the reduction in class contact time to be progressed.

  
To keep up with the latest news follow the SSTA at: –

• SSTA Website – https://ssta.org.uk 
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sstatradeunion
• X  – https://x.com/SSTAtradeunion
• Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/sstatradeunion.bsky.social

SNCT Pay Claim 2025-2026

The SSTA Salaries and Conditions Committee will be presenting a case for a restorative pay claim for 2025-2026 at the SNCT Teachers’ Side meeting on Friday. The SSTA position is for a pay claim that is above the 3.5% Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) figure plus a significant % increase in restoring teacher salaries to the ‘true’ value seen in the past.
 
The SNCT Teachers’ Side (the teacher unions) will agree a pay claim and seek early negotiations with the employers (COSLA) to ensure a settlement before the 1 August pay date.
 
 
SPPA Teacher Pension Benefit Statements
 
The SSTA has been informed that it is the intention of the Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) to update all Benefit Statements by the end of March this year. Teacher Pension Benefit Statements will be sent to members either electronically or by post.  It is therefore essential that all members check that their SPPA contact details are correct.
 
Follow the link to the log in on the SPPA website to view your pension information and update your personal details https://mypension.sppa.gov.uk/Login.aspx
 

‘Reasonable Adjustment’ at work survey – Reminder

Employers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees or potential employees who apply for jobs. The purpose of adjustments is to remove or reduce barriers to a disabled employee performing the job well. Reasonable adjustments are specific to an individual person. They can be for physical or mental health conditions.

The SSTA is seeking information from members who have sought ‘reasonable adjustments’ and had changes made or refused. Please help by completing this short survey to close on Friday 21 February.
 

Pre-Retirement Seminars

These seminars are for members who are considering retirement in the next few years and seeking further information. Stuart McCullough an Independent Financial Advisor, and an expert on the Teachers’ Pension scheme will be presenting the seminars.
 

• Tuesday 25 February, 5.00pm – Glasgow, Mercure City Centre Hotel
• Thursday 27 February, 5.00pm – Edinburgh (SSTA Office)  
• Wednesday 5 March, 5.00pm – Online

 Please follow the links above to reserve your place.


‘GLOW’ Accounts

It has been brought to out attention that some members using their ‘Glow’ email accounts as their preferred SSTA email contact address are not receiving messages from the Association. I would ask all members to check with SSTA colleagues to see if they are receiving emails from the SSTA. If they are not, they need to contact SSTA and update their details on the SSTA website.

(Please forward this bulletin to colleagues in this position)

To keep up with the latest news follow the SSTA at: –

• SSTA Website – https://ssta.org.uk 
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sstatradeunion
• X  – https://x.com/SSTAtradeunion
• Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/sstatradeunion.bsky.social

Deadline Passed and COSLA has Failed to Act

Reduction in Teacher Contact Time (90 minutes) 
 
The SSTA and the other teacher unions gave notice to the employers that the SNCT Teachers’ Side would move to a formal trade dispute if no proposal to introduce a reduction in teacher class contact time was received by Monday 3 February. The deadline has passed and the SNCT Teachers’ Side will be meeting on Friday to move the dispute forward.
 
The Scottish Government committed to a reduction in teacher class contact time from 22.5 hours to 21 hours and presented a proposal to the employers last week. The COSLA Council Leaders met on 31 January to agree the proposal but have failed to act to reduce teacher workload.
 
The reduction in teacher class contact time is seen as a recognition of the demanding work that teachers undertake and a boost in encouraging teachers to remain in the profession. This latest delay in a long-protracted struggle with the employers just reinforces the view that the employers do not value their teachers enough to protect their health and wellbeing.
 

Behaviour Action Plan Webinar – Thursday 6 February, 5.00pm – Online

Poor pupil behaviour is a major driver of stress and increased workload and the SSTA has continued to press the Scottish Government for a unified approach to support teachers in meeting the needs of pupils. The Scottish Government produced a ‘Behaviour Action Plan’ and this event gives an overview of the plan and the way forward.


Pre-Retirement Seminars

These seminars are for members who are considering retirement in the next few years and seeking further information. Stuart McCullough an Independent Financial Advisor, and an expert on the Teachers’ Pension scheme will be presenting the seminars.

• Tuesday 25 February, 5.00pm – Glasgow, Mercure City Centre Hotel
• Thursday 27 February, 5.00pm – Edinburgh (SSTA Office) 
• Wednesday 5 March, 5.00pm – Online

 Please follow the links above to reserve your place.

 
To keep up with the latest news follow the SSTA at: –

• SSTA Website – https://ssta.org.uk 
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sstatradeunion
• X  – https://x.com/SSTAtradeunion
• Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/sstatradeunion.bsky.social

We wish to advise members following a formal postal ballot, Paul Cochrane (Inverclyde) has been elected as SSTA Vice-President for 2025-2027.  

Paul is a Science teacher, is the SSTA District Secretary for Inverclyde and Convenor of the SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee.
 
Paul said in his election statement

“Only the SSTA delivers the specialist secondary representation that teachers deserve. I have been fortunate to have been trusted to support members’ views as a school representative and on Executive, Council, Finance and Local Area Committees.
 
The greatest honour has been the trust given to me as Salaries and Working Conditions Convenor as we strive to restore pay levels cut by austerity.

Seeking and acting on the views of members has been my priority in all my endeavours. I have also supported and promoted the idea of tapping into the talents of our members to promote our Association.
 
The immediate future must focus on working conditions. Eleven hours free overtime per week is unsustainable and a serious health and safety matter.

If successful, I will continue to represent you to the best of my ability”.
 
We would like to offer our congratulations to Paul and commiserations to Richard Graham (Fife) who was unsuccessful on this occasion.

The Association will, on request, supply any member of the SSTA with a copy of the Independent Scrutineers Report for the election free of charge. Requests for the report should be emailed to info@ssta.org.uk.

To keep up with the latest news follow the SSTA at: –

• SSTA Website – https://ssta.org.uk 
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sstatradeunion
• X  – https://x.com/SSTAtradeunion
• Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/sstatradeunion.bsky.social

Reduction in Teacher Contact Time (90 minutes) – Deadline Approaches and COSLA needs to Act

The Scottish Government committed to a reduction in teacher class contact time from 22.5 hours to 21 hours. This commitment was made in recognition of the workload pressures that Scotland’s teachers faced. The SSTA and other teacher unions will declare a formal trade dispute if no proposal is received by Monday 3 February.
 
Teachers see the 90-minute reduction in class contact time as an important step by the employers in recognising the increasing pressure on teacher workload and an acknowledgement of how teachers are valued by the employers. The Scottish Government is committed to a reduction, but we have no such statement from COSLA (the employers). Local Authorities are finalising council budgets in the coming days and we can only wait and see that funds agreed with the Scottish Government remain in education. The deadline approaches and COSLA needs to act.


‘Reasonable Adjustment’ at work

The term reasonable adjustment comes from the Equality Act 2010, but are also known as workplace adjustments, accommodations or simply as ‘changes.’
 
Employers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees or potential employees who apply for jobs. The purpose of adjustments is to remove or reduce barriers to a disabled employee performing the job well. Reasonable adjustments are specific to an individual person. They can be for physical or mental health conditions. They can cover any area of work. It’s not enough for employers to provide disabled people with exactly the same working conditions as non-disabled people. Failing to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people could be disability discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. (Definition of disability https://www.acas.org.uk/what-disability-means-by-law)

For example:

• finding a different way to do something
• making changes to the workplace

• changing someone’s working arrangements
• providing equipment, services or support

Employers must make reasonable adjustments when:

• they know, or could reasonably be expected to know, someone is disabled
• a disabled staff member or job applicant asks for adjustments
• someone who’s disabled is having difficulty with any part of their job
• someone’s absence record, sickness record or delay in returning to work is because of, or linked to, their disability

See more detailed information here https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments

The SSTA is seeking information from members who have sought ‘reasonable adjustments’ and had changes made or refused. Please help by completing this short survey.

Behaviour Action Plan Webinar – Thursday 6 February, 5.00pm – Online

Poor pupil behaviour is a major driver of stress and increased workload and the SSTA has continued to press the Scottish Government for a unified approach to support teachers in meeting the needs of pupils. The Scottish Government produced a ‘Behaviour Action Plan’ and this event gives an overview of the plan and the way forward.

Please follow the link above to reserve your place.

To keep up with the latest news follow the SSTA at: –

• SSTA Website – https://ssta.org.uk 
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sstatradeunion
• X  – https://x.com/SSTAtradeunion
• Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/sstatradeunion.bsky.social

Reduction in Teacher Contact Time (90 minutes) – Deadline Approaches 

The Scottish Government committed to a reduction in teacher class contact time from 22.5 hours to 21 hours. This commitment was made in recognition of the workload pressures that Scotland’s teachers faced.

Little progress has been made to date and the SSTA and other teacher unions will declare a formal trade dispute if no proposal by Monday 3 February. However, the Scottish Government published a joint agreement with COSLA on 11 December 2024 that stated.
 
“Local Government and Scottish Government are committed to working together to restore teacher numbers to 2023 levels next year, and freeze learning hours which will support the learning experience for pupils across Scotland. Both Local Government and the Scottish Government have also agreed to make meaningful progress towards reducing class contact time for teachers, in recognition of the asks made by teachers and teaching unions. Medium- and long-term joint workforce planning will take into account the importance of responding to issues including different local needs”.

See the full statement – https://www.gov.scot/publications/education-agreement-with-cosla/


SSTA Vice-President Election – Make Sure To Return Your Ballot Paper

The SSTA Vice-President Election is a postal ballot of members and is taking place during January 2025. Ballot papers were distributed to members home address on Thursday 9 January 2025, by the scrutineers for the election, UK Engage. The closing date for the election is Thursday 30 January 2025. Members will be informed of the results of the election as soon as practicably possible after the closing of the election.

 
 
Guide to Mental Health Support   – Wednesday 5 February, 5.00pm – Online

Members and colleagues are experiencing Mental Health issues that are either chronic or acute in nature. This session aims to signpost where to find support as an individual and explain what the experiences of a Mental Health First Aider. Completed with a presentation on safeguarding and trauma informed approaches to support staff in education setting.

 
Behaviour Action Plan – Thursday 6 February, 5.00pm – Online

Poor pupil behaviour is a major driver of stress and increased workload and the SSTA has continued to press the Scottish Government for a unified approach to support teachers in meeting the needs of pupils. The Scottish Government produced a ‘Behaviour Action Plan’ and this event gives an overview of the plan and the way forward.

 
Please follow the links above to reserve your place.
 
To keep up with the latest news follow the SSTA at: –

• SSTA Website – https://ssta.org.uk 
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sstatradeunion
• X  – https://x.com/SSTAtradeunion
• Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/sstatradeunion.bsky.social

The SSTA December 2024 Newsletter is now available for members to download.

The newsletter contains articles on: 

• SSTA National Elections 2025
• Teachers’ Pension Scheme – useful guide
• Salary Scales – 1 August 2024
• Class Contact Time Reduction
• Relationships & Action Behaviour Action Plan
• Named Person Advice Note
• 35 Hour Working Week – FAQ
• Guide to Menal Health Support Webinar
• 2025 Subscription Fees
• Benefits of Union Recognition

Retirement of Fiona Dalziel 

Briefing for Members in Management Positions

The SSTA has arranged an online briefing of members who are in Principal Teacher Posts ( Curriculum Leaders, Heads of Faculty, etc..) on Wednesday 13 November at 5.00pm. The briefing will include an update on the Education Bill and Hayward Review and future developments. There will be a focus on managing staff and workload and there will also be an opportunity for members to raise issues of concern. Further details will follow. To reserve a place, please complete the registration form on the SSTA website.

Briefing for DHT and Headteacher Members – Rearranged Date

The original briefing needed to be rearranged due to matters beyond our control and a new date has been arranged for an online briefing of DHTs and Headteachers on Wednesday 27 November at 6.00pm. The briefing will include an update on the Education Bill and Hayward Review and future developments. There will also be an opportunity for members to raise issues of concern. Further details will follow. To reserve a place, please complete the registration form on the SSTA website. Members signed for the original date have been registered.

SSTA Vacancy – National Casework Officer  

The SSTA is seeking to appoint a National Casework Officer in January 2025. The post is a full-time salaried position at PT4 on the SNCT salary scale, currently £62,022 per annum. For further information and the application form, please see the advert on the SSTA website.