Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association

Category: Information for Members

  • October 2018 – Newsletter

    October 2018 – Newsletter

    The October 2018 SSTA Newsletter is now available for members to download.

    The newsletter contains information on:

    •  2018 Pay Offer
    • Education Bill 2018
    • Dignity and Respect at Work
    • Advice for Probationer Teachers
    • International Council of Education Advisers: Report 2016-2018

     

    The SSTA will be consulting members on the pay offer at the end of October. It is therefore essential that members details are updated and accurate to respond to the pay offer. Members can update their details by completing a form on the SSTA website at www.ssta.org.uk/updatedetails.

  • National March and Rally – Glasgow, 27th October 2018

    National March and Rally – Glasgow, 27th October 2018

    A National March and Rally will take place on Saturday 27th October in Glasgow.  The SSTA has been working closely with the EIS throughout the pay negotiations and has received an invitation for SSTA to support the pay demonstration in Glasgow. The SSTA National Executive wishes to encourage members to support the rally that meets in Kelvingrove Park, on Saturday 27 October at 11.00am.

    Details

    Assemble: 11.00am Kelvingrove Park Glasgow, March: 11.30am, Rally: George Square

    SSTA Members will be meeting next to the skate park where a limited number of SSTA banners and placards will be available for members.

    All members are encouraged to make their own banners and placards and to bring these along with them to the Demonstration

    There are also poster available for members to download and print themselves should they wish too.  The posters can be found here

     

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    If you are intending on going to the rally it would be helpful if you could complete the form below.  It will give us an indication of how many members will be at the rally.

    No Fields Found.

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    Public Transport Routes

    Arrival Station

    Subway Route

    Bus Routes

    Queen Street Station

    Subway from Buchanan St. Station to Kelvinhall. Exit on to Dumbarton Rd and turn left. Walk along Dumbarton Rd, past Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, to Kelvin Way (10-15 min walk). Turn left along Kelvin Way and proceed to assembly point.

    #77 First Glasgow bus from Bath St. Alight on Sauchiehall St opposite Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls & Tennis Centre. Proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point.

    #3 First Glasgow bus from Hope St. Alight as above.

    #2 First Glasgow bus from Hope St. Alight on Argyle St at the stop after Gray St. Turn right down Radnor St and proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point.

    Central Station

    Subway from St. Enoch Station to Kelvinhall. Exit on to Dumbarton Rd and turn left. Walk along Dumbarton Rd, past Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, to Kelvin Way (10-15 min walk). Turn left along Kelvin Way and proceed to assembly point.

    #3 First Glasgow bus from Hope St. Alight on Sauchiehall St opposite Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls & Tennis Centre. Proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point.

    #2 First Glasgow bus from Hope St. Alight on Argyle St at the stop after Gray St. Turn right down Radnor St and proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point.

    #4 / 4A First Glasgow bus from Hope St. Alight at the bottom Of University Avenue, at the Gilmorehill Centre. Proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point.

    Buchanan Bus Station

    Subway from Buchanan St. Station to Kelvinhall. Exit on to Dumbarton Rd and turn left. Walk along Dumbarton Rd, past Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, to Kelvin Way (10-15 min walk). Turn left along Kelvin Way and proceed to assembly point.

    #77 First Glasgow bus from Buchanan St Bus Station (usually Stance 44). Alight on Sauchiehall St opposite Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls & Tennis Centre. Proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point.

    #17 McGill’s bus from Pavilion Theatre. Alight as above.

    Partick Station (low level trains from East or West)

    Subway from Partick Station to Kelvinhall. Exit on to Dumbarton Rd and turn left. Walk along Dumbarton Rd, past Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, to Kelvin Way (10-15 min walk). Turn left along Kelvin Way and proceed to assembly point.

    #3 or #77 First Glasgow buses from Dumbarton Rd. Alight on Sauchiehall St at Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls & Tennis Centre. Proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point.

    #17 McGill’s bus from Dumbarton Rd. Alight on Sauchiehall St opposite Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls & Tennis Centre. Proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point.

    #2 First Glasgow bus from Dumbarton Rd. Alight on Argyle St after Radnor St. Proceed along Radnor St into Kelvin Way and continue to assembly point.

     

  • General Secretary Report – October 2018

    General Secretary Report – October 2018

    Teachers Pay – April 2018 

    SNCT 2018 Pay Claim submitted on the 8 February

    • 10% restorative claim for all grades SNCT Pay Claim
    • EIS and SSTA are the only negotiators for the Teachers’ Side

    COSLA (employers) offer – 6 September (SNCT REJECTED offer on 18 September)

    • This offer was for 3% across all SNCT grades except those over £80,000 (previous pay offer of 2% for those above £36,500 and 3% for those below).
    • COSLA also supported a Scottish Government proposal to amend the Main Grade Salary Scale by reducing the number of points from 6 to 5 with a higher starting and finishing point
    • SNCT Negotiations Ended – Thursday 4 October

     

    SNCT Career Pathways Committee

    • Moyra Boland of Glasgow University chair of the independent committee established by the SNCT
    • Committee seeking evidence and views from all stakeholders including a teachers’ survey and public meetings
    • The working group is due to submit its report to the SNCT in December 2018.
    • SSTA will be making a formal response by 25 October

     

    Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme Advisory Board – 28 September 2018

    • The scheme has breached the ‘cost cap’ (the way that the cost of pensions is balanced against the value of pension scheme member contributions).
    • The cost cap exists to ensure a fair balance of risks between scheme members and the taxpayer.
    • It takes into account the past and future service costs of all members of the reformed schemes, together with factors such as life expectancy, growth in salaries and career paths
    • Further meeting to take place in the coming weeks

     

    Education Bill June 2018 (deferred)

    • COSLA/Government Agreement included commitments to:
    • Headteachers’ Charter to empower headteachers in the following areas:

    Curriculum, School Improvement (also a review of planning across the system), Staffing (LA still able to intervene), Funding (Headteachers will make decisions on the spending within that delegated budget),

    • Parental and community engagement
    • Pupil participation
    • Regional Improvement Collaboratives (£10m funding announced in Sept)
    • Education Workforce Council consensus on the principle of widening registration to others but significant change should be carefully considered.

    http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/06/8745/downloads

    • Education Scotland are currently conducting LA inspection for ‘empowerment’ in preparation for moving forward with the Headteachers’ Charter

    2019 NIF and Improvement Plan

    • Review to be undertaken – little appetite for change
    • Focus on Health and Well-Being and Early Learning and Childcare
    • Health and Wellbeing Census P5 to S4.Further discussion on S5 and S6
    • Evidence report to become a dashboard to allow further investigation

     

    International Council of Education Advisers (ICEA)

    • ICEA reappointed for a further 2 years
    • Report published June 2018 (19 recommendations) includes:
    • Develop the 4 capacities of CfE
    • Define and gauge the health and wellbeing of young people
    • Continue with the Attainment Challenge Fund
    • Systematic steps to strengthen fairness, inclusion, and equity in education through ongoing investments in excellence
    • An implementation plan for furthering educational improvement with co-ownership and engagement across the system
    • Use of the term Improvement rather than Reform
    • Move towards an empowered and self-improving learning system
    • A collaborative approach to improvement rather than a legislative approach
    • Focus on capacity building
    • Three key policy imperatives for improvement: professional empowerment, responsibility and ownership
    • Collaboration remains the central focus of system improvement
    • Ensure that the RICs are providing additional capacity and have adequate capacity and resources to directly impact on learning and teaching
    • Provide funding and support for RICs to take forward regional pedagogical networks linked to teaching and learning

    https://beta.gov.scot/publications/international-council-education-advisers-report-2016-18/

    • Government response to report due in September
    • Joint meeting with the Scottish Education Council to discuss the ICEA Report and COSLA/Government Agreement also published in June

     

    Scottish Education Council

    • Members by invitation of DFM and includes all six Regional Improvement Collaborative (RIC) Lead Officers and Chief Inspector
    • Notes of June meeting

    https://beta.gov.scot/publications/scottish-education-council-minutes-june-2018/

     

    Education Leaders Forum – 1 October

    • 70 organisations (including public and 3rd sector) – to look at ‘wider issues’
    • Agenda to include:
    • Education Reform – Joint (COSLA) Agreement and ICEA Recommendations
    • National Improvement Framework Review and Improvement Plan for 2019

     

    BGE Benchmarking Tool

    • Meeting with LAs, Headteachers and teachers
    • Not a performance tool – to support dialogue and assist improvement

     

    School Information Dashboard/Parentzone Scotland

    • School information in a wider context – launch 29 August
    • 3 sections – primary, secondary and special schools
    • Using existing data in one place
    • Developing supporting materials to help parents

     

    Strategic Board for Teacher Education (SBTE) – 12 September 2018

     

         Report from the Headteacher Recruitment Working Group

    • Career Pathways and Preparation for Headship – into, within and beyond Headship
    • Support for existing Headteachers – from Local Authorities and Education Scotland
    • Promoting the Role of Headteacher – awareness-raising campaign Autumn 2018
    • Terms, Conditions and Incentives – SNCT impact of potential education reforms

        Report from the Diversity in the Teaching Profession Working Group

    • Closing the awareness gap
    • Attractiveness of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) to students from minority ethnic background
    • Effectiveness of university admissions processes in attracting a diverse range of applicant
    • Student placement experiences and support for students
    • Retaining students and teachers from minority backgrounds while supporting promotion at all levels
    • Responsibility of the Education Sector

    Education Policy Conferences

    • Education Scotland organising a national conference on 20 November with 6 regional conferences to follow

     

    STUC General Council

    Research Update

    • Within its strategic priority – the Economy and Industrial Sectors, the General Council agreed to conduct 3 pieces of research:
    • The South of Scotland Economy
    • The Aberdeen / Aberdeenshire Economy
    • The shape and structure of the Construction Industry

     

    First Minister Biannual Meeting – 31 October 2018

    • Agenda – Economy, Scottish Budget, Programme for Government, Fair Work by increasing Collective Bargaining coverage.

     

    Forthcoming Events

     

    Professional Courses (5.30 to 8.00pm)

     

    Understanding Mental Health

    North Ayrshire – September

    Aberdeen – September

     

    Dementia Awareness

    Aberdeen (Northern Hotel, Aberdeen) – Tuesday 6 November

    Glasgow (STUC) –Tuesday 27 November

     

     Tackling Homophobia

    Edinburgh (SSTA) – Wednesday 24 October

    Glasgow (STUC) – Wednesday 5 December

     

    **SSTA seeking additional SUL funding for further courses**

     

     St Andrew’s Day Anti-Racism March and Rally 24 November 2018

     The theme “Still We Rise: Internationalism, Freedom, Justice”.

    • Assemble at Glasgow Green at 10.30am, march through Glasgow to a rally at Adelaide’s, Bath Street at 12 noon.

     STUC Women’s Conference, Dundee, 29-30 October 2018

     STUC Congress, Dundee, 15-17 April 2019

     SSTA Congress, Crieff, 17-18 May 2019

     

  • Teachers’ Pay 2018 – Update – 5 October 2018

    Teachers’ Pay 2018 – Update – 5 October 2018

    Pay Talks Terminated

    The SNCT Teachers’ Side rejected the pay offer made by the employers (COSLA) on the 18 September. At the meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs (EIS, SSTA, COSLA and Scottish Government) the Government officials asked if there was the possibility of further negotiations. A range of issues were raised by the union side and another meeting was arranged for 4 October 2018.

    At the meeting on 4 October Government Officials stated that the offer was a ‘fair and generous’ pay offer and there was to be no further offer or any grounds for further negotiation. COSLA confirmed that it was not prepared to find additional funds to help further negotiations. It was quite clear that two/thirds of those at the negotiation table had no intention of further negotiation to address the restoration of teacher pay levels.

    The union side was extremely disappointed (to put it mildly) with this development especially as the offer had been formally rejected on 18 September. The unions had regarded the offer  as being “derisory” in terms of the 3% offer across the board and “divisive” in relation to proposing changes to the main-grade scale whilst leaving promoted scales untouched. This was compounded by the fact that additional money (above the offer to teachers) had been found by the Government for funding both the Police and National Health Service professionals. Together with COSLA finding an additional £10m, from its own resources, to assist their pay offer to other Local Authority Staff only added insult to the disappointment.

     

    The Pay Offer

    The offer was for 3% across all SNCT posts except for those earning £80,000 or above, whose increase would be limited to £1,600 from April 2018. In addition to the 3% pay increase COSLA also supported a Scottish Government proposal to amend the Main Grade Salary Scale by reducing the number of points from 6 to 5 with a higher starting and finishing point. The amendments to the unpromoted teachers’ pay scale would have seen most points on the scale receiving an additional 2% as from August 2018 (a retention measure). In addition, those teachers who would be moving from Point 0 to Point 1 would receive approximately a 10% pay increase (a recruitment measure for approximately 3,000 teachers).

    It was reaffirmed to COSLA and Government officials that the 3% offer doesn’t come close to matching the ambition of the SNCT 10% claim for all members at all grades. The Teachers’ side were clear, also, that changes to only the main grade scale would be divisive. This is effectively a differentiated offer pay and this was not acceptable.

    As the final pay offer has been made SSTA will consult the membership on its views on the offer. The SSTA Salaries Committee has already unanimously rejected the offer, but will be considering the response from the Government and determine the terms of the consultative ballot of its members. The consultative ballot will be conducted when all schools have returned following the October break (more details to follow).

     

    Next Steps

    SSTA will be circulating more detailed information on the pay offer and the implications to ensure members are fully informed before the consultative ballot.

    SSTA School Representatives are encouraged to hold school meetings and discuss the pay offer.

    It is therefore essential that members details are updated and accurate to respond to the pay offer and the possibility of a formal ballot for industrial action. Members can update their details by completing a form on the SSTA website at www.ssta.org.uk/updatedetails.

    The SSTA has been working closely with the EIS throughout the pay negotiations and has received an invitation for SSTA to support the pay demonstration in Glasgow. The SSTA National Executive wishes to encourage members to support the rally that meets in Kelvingrove Park, on Saturday 27 October at 11.00am (more details to follow).

     

    Remember the SSTA Campaign is Retention, Recruitment and Restoration

  • Teacher Pay Talks Stall – 4 October 2018

    Teacher Pay Talks Stall – 4 October 2018

    Negotiations around the Teachers’ Pay Claim have shuddered to a halt after the Scottish Government and COSLA today refused to consider improvements to their previous offer. The Teachers’ Panel of the SNCT (Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers) had unanimously rejected the offer as being “derisory” in terms of the 10% claim and “divisive” in that it offered unpromoted teachers a slightly better deal than promoted members of the profession.

    The constituent bodies of the teachers’ side will now consider the outcome of today’s talks, with member ballots being likely.

    A spokesperson for the Teachers’ Side said, “We are extremely disappointed that both the Scottish Government and COSLA have rejected the proposals put them by the Teachers’ Side, which would have kept negotiations going, and have opted instead to end discussions. In a week when the Scottish Government found the money to pay upfront a 6.5% pay offer to Scottish Police officers, it now claims to be unable to find any additional money for teachers.”

  • Teachers’ Pay 2018 – Update – 18 September 2018

    Teachers’ Pay 2018 – Update – 18 September 2018

    Pay Offer Rejected

    The Teachers’ Side of the SNCT met on the 18 September and all organisations present rejected the offer which had been made previously by the employers (COSLA). The Teachers’ Side regarded the offer  as being “derisory” in terms of the 3% offer across the board and “divisive” in relation to proposing changes to the main-grade scale whilst leaving promoted scales untouched.

    This meeting was followed by a meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs (EIS, SSTA, COSLA and Scottish Government) where the Teachers’ Side formally rejected the employer’s pay offer.

    The offer was for 3% across all SNCT posts except for those earning £80,000 or above, whose increase would be limited to £1,600. In addition to the 3% pay increase COSLA also supported a Scottish Government proposal to amend the Main Grade Salary Scale by reducing the number of points from 6 to 5 with a higher starting and finishing point.

    It was made clear that the 3% offer doesn’t come close to matching the ambition of the SNCT 10% claim for all members at all grades.

    During the discussions reference was made to the OECD report ‘ Education at a Glance’ that indicated the average teachers’ salary was equivalent to £42,000 and that Scotland was one of only 5 countries where teachers’ pay has fallen, relative to graduate earnings, over the past decade.

    The Teachers’ side were clear, also, that changes to only the main grade scale would be divisive. This is effectively a differentiated offer pay and this was not acceptable. The Teachers’ Side is willing to consider improvements to scale points but these would need to be financially equitable across all the scales.

    Both Scottish Government and COSLA were asked to consider the Teachers’ Side response and to return to the next meeting. The SSTA will continue to negotiate in good faith, with both COSLA and Scottish Government, with the next negotiating meeting of the Extended Joint Chairs to take place on the 4 October. Members will be kept informed of any progress made at that meeting.

    When the final pay offer is made SSTA will consult the membership on its views and the possibility of a formal ballot for industrial action.  It is therefore, essential that member’s details are updated and accurate. Members can update their details by completing a form on the SSTA website at www.ssta.org.uk/updatedetails .

     

  • Teachers’ Pay 2018 – Update – 6 September 2018

    Teachers’ Pay 2018 – Update – 6 September 2018

    The latest meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs (EIS, SSTA, COSLA and Scottish Government) took place on 6 September and a revised pay offer was received from COSLA.

    This offer is for 3% across all SNCT posts (as opposed to the previous pay offer of 2% for those above £36,500 and 3% for those below).  This would apply to all teachers except for those earning £80,000 or above, whose increase would be limited to £1600.  This offer would be backdated to April 2018 and is a single year offer. In addition to the 3% pay increase COSLA also supported a Scottish Government proposal to amend the  Main Grade Salary Scale by reducing the number of points from 6 to 5 with a higher starting and finishing point (aimed, it was claimed, at addressing recruitment and retention issues).

    The teachers’ side of the SNCT will consider the offer in more detail but the SSTA and EIS has already indicated its view that 3% falls well short of the 10% claim and is unlikely to be acceptable to members. It was also made clear that the SNCT 10% claim is for all members at all grades.

    When a pay offer is made we will need to consult the membership on their views and the possibility of a formal ballot for industrial action.  It is therefore, essential that member’s details are updated and accurate. Members can update their details by completing a form on the SSTA website at www.ssta.org.uk/updatedetails.

    The SSTA will continue to negotiate in good faith with both COSLA and Scottish Government. A further negotiating meeting of the Extended Joint Chairs is scheduled for the  18th September, where the Teachers’ Side will respond formally to the offer. Further updates to follow.

  • SSTA Members’ Briefing 2018

    SSTA Members’ Briefing 2018

    Seamus Searson the General Secretary would like to meet with SSTA members to discuss the issues that face secondary teachers (pay negotiations, workload and education developments etc.) and how we protect and improve conditions for members. This is your opportunity to have your say. A list of upcoming dates and venues are shown below.

    Stuart McCullough, Independent Financial Advisor from Llife Ltd will also be giving a presentation on “How to Control your Pension and New Pension Calculator?”.

    Agenda

    1. General Secretary – Members’ Update,
      • Teachers’ Pay Negotiations 2018
      • Career Pathways Committee
      • National Qualifications – changes and reducing workload
      • Education Bill – Headteacher Charter, Regional Improvement Collaboratives
    2. How to Control your Pension and the New Pension Calculator? (Stuart McCullough, Independent Financial Advisor, Llife Ltd)
    3. Members Questions

    The briefing will start at 5.00pm and will be repeated at 7.00pm.

    To book a place click on the briefing you would like to attend and complete the registration form at the bottom of the page.

    • Wednesday 19 September 2018 – Glasgow, DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, G2 3HN  –   5pm meeting (fully booked)   – 7pm meeting
    • Monday 24 September 2018 – Inverness – Jury’s Inn Inverness, IV2 3TR  –   5pm meeting   – 7pm meeting
    • Monday 1 October 2018 – Dundee  – Apex City Quay Hotel, DD1 3JP –  5pm meeting   – 7pm meeting
    • Tuesday 2 October 2018 – Edinburgh, SSTA HQ, EH11 2ED –   5pm meeting   – 7pm meeting
    • Monday 8 October 2018 – Aberdeen  – Jury’s Inn Aberdeen, AB11 5RG –   5pm meeting   – 7pm meeting
    • Wednesday 10 October 2018 – Ayr – Mercure Ayr Hotel, KA7 1UG  5pm meeting   – 7pm meeting

     

  • Members Bulletin – SSTA Meeting with Deputy First Minister

    Members Bulletin – SSTA Meeting with Deputy First Minister

     

    SSTA meeting with Deputy First Minister

    The SSTA met John Swinney, Deputy First Minister (DFM) on 12 June and discussed a number of the Association’s motions from our Annual Congress in May. The SSTA delegation was led by John Guidi (Vice-President), Catherine Nicol (Convenor Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee)and Seamus Searson (General Secretary). The Vice-President thanked the Minister for attending the SSTA Congress and his interesting address. The following issues were discussed:

    Pay and Career Structure
    National Qualifications
    Workload 
    Additional Support Needs (ASN) and Poor Behaviour
    Education Bill (teacher led – voice of the teacher)

    Further information on what was discussed at the meeting can be found in the MembersBulletin-MeetingwithDFM-June2018

     

  • Congress 2018 Newsletter

    Congress 2018 Newsletter

    The 2018 Congress Newsletter is now available for members to download from the Website

    Teachers’ Pay 2018 – Update – 21 June 2018

    The SNCT Annual General Meeting (Teacher Unions, COSLA and Scottish Government) took place on 31 May. A report of the pay negotiations was made and we were informed that COSLA were unable to proceed with negotiations until direction was given by the leadership of COSLA at its meeting at the end of June. We are awaiting a date to be confirmed for the next meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs end of the month. Further updates to follow.