Category: Information for Members

  • SSTA Newsletter – November 2016

    The November 2016 SSTA Newsletter can be download using the link below.

    SSTA November-2016-newsletterSSTA November 2016 Newsletter

  • General Secretary Report – November 2016

    put-pupils-first-banner

    ‘Put pupils first – give teachers time to teach!’

    The National Executive issued guidance to members on the first phase of the ‘Action Short of Strike Action’ that began on Monday 24 October. Members are being advised to work within the contracted 35 hour working week. Teacher Workload needs to be reduced in the current session. The SSTA has asked again for urgent action to reduce teacher workload and refocus teachers to teaching and learning. Further guidance will be issued in the coming weeks. Current guidance and presentation available at www.ssta.org.uk

    SSTA says ‘Put Pupils First’ in this school year

    The SSTA has concerns over the exam burden and the impact on pupil well-being if the current national qualification system is allowed to continue for a further year. The proposed changes for National 5 will not take place until the 2017-2018 session. The SSTA is acutely aware of the workload pressures associated with the National Qualifications but we are extremely concerned about the potential damage to our young people as the pressure intensifies at this time of year”.

    Assessment and National Qualifications working group – 2 November

    • The CfE Management Board approved the changes to unit assessment within National 5 and Higher. The proposals include a strengthened final exam and externally assessed coursework that will replace mandatory unit assessments for qualifications at National 5 (2017-20180 and Higher level (2018-2019).
    • SQA roadmap National 5
      • January 2017 – principle changes (some subjects would have new elements)
      • Easter 2017 – detail of changes
      • August 2017 – specimen papers and coursework
      • Safety net – band E marks 30-39%
    • National 4 – further discussion needed but no appetite for an exam. Need to determine the rationale of the National 4 certificate (hub/gateway for all)

    Empowering teachers, parents and communities to achieve excellence and equity in education: A Governance Review – consultation closes 6 January

    • Focus on supporting decision making in schools, empowering teachers, parents and communities, strengthening ‘the middle’ (clusters, education regions), national framework and professional capacity, fair funding and accountability
    • Regional events are being arranged and key stakeholders to be engaged

    http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00505460.pdf

    • 3 priorities – GIRFEC, Curriculum for Excellence and Developing the Young Workforce.
    • Unions have concerns at the short timescale of consultation
    • Local Authorities have indicated their concerns about not just concentrating on schools for closing the attainment gap.
    • Union response – Collaboration costs time, money, cover and was happening before the cuts. Innovation was also happening in schools when less pressure and demand was on a teacher’s time.
    • Local Authorities have had their hands tied for years because of freezing of council tax so support staff, which could make the biggest difference to attainment by supporting the teaching and learning, has been lost to schools.
    • The working relationship between LAs and unions has been damaged by the cuts in staff with experience in teachers’ conditions of employment.

    Education Scotland: Framework of teaching and benchmarks

    • CfE Statement and ‘draft’ Bench Marks published

    https://education.gov.scot/improvement/Pages/CfE-delivery-plan.aspx

    • To be followed by all subject benchmarks in the coming weeks. No time for meaningful consultation before publication.

    Education Scotland: New Inspections

    • Inspectorate Development Plan Focus on the learner with full establishment, short, localised thematic and neighbourhood model
    • HIGIOS4 – QI (grade using 6 point scale) 1.3 Leadership of Change, 2.3 Learning Teaching and Achievement, 3.2 Raising Achievement and Attainment, 3.1 Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion. Awareness that GIRFEC focus missing plus an additional QI negotiated with school not graded
    • Issues – short notice inspections appear to be favoured by schools but are not practical in small rural schools; focus upon local authorities rather than schools; Independent Schools do not have a 6 point scale

    National Improvement Framework for Scottish Education – 9 November

    • National priorities: a) Literacy and numeracy; b) closing the gap; c) health and well-being; and d) positive destinations
    • Teacher professional judgement survey 2016 (formerly known as school data) -Literacy and numeracy judgements in P1, P2, P7 and S3 with National Report and Statistical Report to be published in December. Analysis to be labelled as ‘Experimental’ and will not include school based data.
    • Achievement of a level support plans – Education Scotland to arrange training sessions 1) moderation, 2) standards and 3) range of evidence required. Holistic assessment the main focus to assist LAs disseminate to schools
    • Standardised assessment update – Preferred bidder to be announced. Pilot carried out 2016-2017 most LAs volunteering to be part of pilot. Roll out date 17 August 2017. It is planned that teachers will be using the assessment when it is right for their pupils. Narrative to be produced for parental engagement
    • National Quality Assurance and Moderation programme. LAs have sent 10 teachers for the first part of moderation training. The aim is for these teachers to cascade this information to the colleges in their LAs. Education Scotland have employed 2 NIF advisors to help with this process. Another two advisors are to be appointed. These posts are being funded by Scottish Government.

    Scottish Advisory Group on Relationships and Behaviour in Schools (SAGRABIS)

    • Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research. Survey in all secondary schools conducted in spring to be published early in February 2017 (study did not take into account existing LA reports of incidents)
    • Independent Report Bailey Gwynne. Government to consider amending the law on ‘stop and search’ and the purchase of weapons
    • Homophobic Bullying – LGBT Youth Scotland and Stonewall
      • 48% LGBT students said issues not discussed in classroom
      • 90% of teachers stated homophobic bullying took place to all pupils
      • 44% teachers are told not to discuss LGBT issues
      • 80% of teachers had no specific training
      • 60% LGBT students said bullying had an impact in their school work
      • 23% of LGBT pupil has considered taking own life and 53% harmed themselves

    Priorities

    • All teachers to undertake training
    • Supporting Transgender Young People in Education (due March 2017)
    • RespectMe (due December 2016)
    • Education Champions – 9 LAs (Stonewall Scotland) to be expanded
    • Initial Teacher Education – 750 students this year (6/8 institutions)
    • Refresh the Toolkit (Education Scotland)
    • Professional learning programme and support staff in secondary schools (including a focus on school leaders)
    • Inspection Framework to gauge the impact in schools

    General Teaching Council

    Consultation on fitness to teach process and closes on 29 November 2016

    STUC General Council meeting First Minister – 9 November 2016

    • Expansion of child care provision. Current consultation raises position of nursery teachers and the introduction of a voucher may undermine quality local authority provision. Quality and workforce conditions of service important factors.
    • Living wage in the care sector – STUC a partner group in the implementation
    • Economy Scottish economy has remained resilient.
    • EU referendum shifted economic sentiment and uncertainty. Negative impact next year makes forecast more difficult
    • Impact on FE College sector on reduction in part-time and access into work (50% drop in female participation) to be considered further
    • Fall in sterling (has boosted exports) and low inflation rate but will lead to a rise in prices next year. Will have an Impact on pension schemes, pay and living standards
    • EU Referendum Vote Lack of information on Westminster strategy on ‘Brexit’.
    • Employment rights and social protections under threat need to work closely with STUC. Lack of awareness on implications need ‘user friendly’ material
    • Impact in Higher Education and research without free movement of people
    • Increase in racism and ‘racist’ incidents need to be challenged and all people welcomed in Scotland
    • Fair Work Convention Labour market strategy working with STUC
    • Fair work framework, the ‘effective voice’ through trade unions and the importance of collective bargaining
    • Launch of £250,000 Trade Union Modernisation Fund
    • Trade Union Act, non-compliance of elements of the Act including ballot threshold. Further discussion to take place
    • UK Sexual Offences (Pardons etc.) Bill 2016-17Scottish Government to legislate as quickly asap for automatic pardons and removal from personal records

     

    Scottish Union Learning Conference 2016 – 8 November 2016

    • Titled ‘Organising Union Learning: Developing Workforce Skills’
    • Speaker Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Employability and Training.
    • Trade union learning key part of partnership in developing the ‘Fair Work’ agenda
    • The Scottish Government to continue supporting this programme with almost £2.3 million this financial year. This will support around 3,000 learners
    • A further £250,000 for a trade union modernisation fund to retain and enhance the role of trade unions in the workplace

    Scottish Trades Union Congress

    • Public Finance and Public Services Conference on Friday 25 November 2016

    Agenda to include Fair Work, Scotland’s Budget, Tax and Public Services, Local Government Budgets, Privatisation and Arm’s Length Delivery.

    • St Andrew’s Day March and RallySaturday 26 November, Glasgow

    – Theme “No Racism: Protecting Rights, Defending Communities”

    Trade Union Advisory Committee/Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD – 35 countries) October 2016

    Education at a Glance 2016

    • Skills mismatch, no evidence of over-schooling, more educated insulated against unemployment
    • 17% of 20-24 year olds Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) and 25% of employed youth were in temporary or part-time employment
    • Teachers’ salaries – have been frozen until recently coupled with aging workforce means that increasingly young people are not being attracted into education professions because of comparatively poor salaries.
    • The number of secondary teachers over the age of 50 is increasing in more than two-thirds of countries (34% in lower secondary and 38% in upper secondary)
    • Within teaching gender imbalance the percentage of female teacher shrinks – but teacher salaries tend to increase. Women are less likely to become headteachers even they are recruited from the ranks of teachers.
    • Class sizes decreasing in three-quarter of countries – increasing in the UK

    http://www.oecd.org/edu/education-at-a-glance-19991487.htm

    PISA (Programme for Internal Student Assessment)

    • Information on 15 year olds, and assess education system.
    • 2015 PISA – to be published on 6 December 2016.
    • Main focus on Science (explain phenomena scientifically; evaluate and design scientific enquiry; interpret data and evidence scientifically)
    • Less of a focus on Maths and Reading
    • 2018 PISA. Main focus Reading (growth in online reading ; emphasis on reading skills; and basic reading comprehension) and less focus on Maths and Science

    Inequality and Gender Gaps

    • OECD Gender Initiative (2013) – Closing gender gap in educational attainment and labour force participation.
    • Not to act would lead to drop in labour force participation. Report due in 2017
    • Young women have higher attainment than young men in tertiary education.
    • Women do more unpaid work (around the home) leading to less opportunity for paid employment
  • STUC St Andrew’s Day March and Rally – 26th November 2016

    CALLING ALL SSTA MEMBERS:

     

    There will be an SSTA presence at the STUC St Andrew’s Day March and Rally which is due to take place on Saturday 26th November 2016 in Glasgow.

     

    Can members who are interested in marching behind the SSTA banner please confirm attendance by email to info@ssta.org.uk no later than the 24th November 2016 – joining details will then be forwarded.

     

    Further details of the St Andrew’s Day Anti-Racism March and Rally can be found here:

     

    ST ANDREW’S DAY ANTI RACISM MARCH AND RALLY

    ‘No Racism: Protecting Rights, Defending Communities’.

    SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2016

    stuc-st-andrews

     

  • ‘Put pupils first – give teachers time to teach!’

    Press Release

    Put pupils first – give teachers time to teach!

    The SSTA begins the first phase of its industrial action on Monday 24 October to bring about a reduction in teacher workload.

    Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said, “The title of our campaign is very important to our members. Our concern about the young people we teach is as important our concern for teaching and tackling the teacher workload burden.”

    “SSTA members have been campaigning for a number of years to reduce teacher workload in all aspects of our work but especially in the senior phase. The SSTA has consistently pushed for a reduction in a system that all sides acknowledge is workload heavy in this current session. This is not just for ourselves but for the young people we teach. If we achieve our aim our young people will also benefit.”

    “The SSTA welcomed the Deputy First Minister’s announcement that unit assessments are to be removed from National 5 in 2017-2018. Unfortunately, there has not been any progress on the situation in regard to National 4 and no reduction in workload pressure for both pupils and teachers in the current session.”

    Euan Duncan, SSTA President said, “The SSTA’s view is that teacher workload has not, and is unlikely to be, significantly reduced in the current session, especially in the area of national qualifications. We therefore have no option but to move into industrial action to protect another cohort of young people and our members”.

    Euan Duncan added “SSTA members care passionately about the young people they teach and getting the best qualifications. However, the pressure and stress suffered by both young people and teachers cannot be allowed to continue. We hope the Deputy First Minister can work with the SSTA to find a way forward and put measures in place to help the situation.”

    Editor’s note

    The Ballot for Industrial Action closed on Friday 30 September 2016 with a 91% vote in favour in taking industrial action. There was a 40.8% turnout in the Ballot.

     

    Further information from

    Seamus Searson
    General Secretary

    0131 313 7300

     

    24 October 2016

     

     

     

  • Action Short of Strike Action: Put pupils first – give teachers time to teach!

    put-pupils-first-banner

     

    The SSTA National Executive has sanctioned the ‘Action Short of Strike Action’ (ASOSA) and has confirmed the name of our campaign “Put pupils first – give teachers time to teach!”

    Please find below the ASOSA Guidance to Members and a link to a video message from the General Secretary.

    A more detailed presentation of the ASOSA Guidance will be issued to School Representatives at the start of next week.

    The ASOSA Guidance is being issued to Local Authorities and should be discussed at the forthcoming LNCT meeting.

     

    SSTA Guidance on "ASOSA"
    SSTA Guidance on ‘ASOSA’

    YouTube thumbnailYouTube icon

  • General Secretary Report – October 2016

    SSTA BALLOT RESULT

    The National Executive is very much aware of the efforts of the Deputy First Minister to address Teacher Workload and promote Teacher Professional Judgement. However, Teacher Workload needs to be reduced in the current session. The SSTA has asked again for urgent action to reduce teacher workload and refocus teachers to teaching and learning and closing the attainment gap.

    91% in favour of tacking Action Short of Strike Action. 40.8% Turnout.

    SSTA Council

    • John Swinney Deputy First Minister (DFM) attended SSTA Council – 1 October
    • Vision for Education – ‘Closing the Gap’
    • Essential elements – GIRFEC, CfE and Developing Young Workforce
    • Interaction with young people important and decluttering the system
    • CfE statement (29 August) what is expected of teachers
    • The Inspection of LAs on tackling bureaucracy report. COSLA to take steps to act promptly on Bureaucracy Report and follow-up to assess performance
    • Qualifications – too much assessment, of not sufficient value, anxiety of parents re: young people, assessment burden in S4. Nat 4 work needed to give validity
    • Minister asked for more time to ‘fix things’
    • Opportunity for teachers to slim-down bureaucracy
    • Valuable resources into schools and decisions taken in school

    Assessment and National Qualifications working group

    • The CfE Management Board approved the changes to unit assessment within National 5 and Higher. The proposals include a strengthened final exam and externally assessed coursework that will replace mandatory unit assessments for qualifications at National 5 and Higher level.
    • The reforms are intended to be introduced on a phased basis, with changes to National 5 implemented in 2017-2018 and changes to Higher in 2018-2019

    http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Refocusing-national-qualifications-2b7d.aspx

    Education Delivery Plan

    The Delivery Plan sets outs the actions required to close the attainment gap over the next five years. It will involve further sustained pressure to reduce workload for teachers.

    The plan confirms the Scottish Government will:

    • Focus on closing the attainment gap by extending the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the next five years.
    • Launch a governance and funding review to examine the system changes required to empower schools, devolving funding and more decision-making to schools and communities.
    • Simplify Curriculum for Excellence and streamline the current range of curriculum guidance for teachers, and introduce a simpler set of key resources for the profession by January 2017.
    • Invest in teachers and their skills to ensure we have highly qualified and empowered staff.
    • Move from a “culture of judgement” to a “system of judgement” to provide robust information on the education system to support improvement.
      http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00502222.pdf

    Empowering teachers, parents and communities to achieve excellence and equity in education: A Governance Review – consultation closes 6 January

    • Focus on supporting decision making in schools
    • Empowering teachers, parents and communities
    • Strengthening ‘the middle’ (clusters, education regions)
    • National framework and professional capacity
    • Fair funding – learner-centred funding
    • Accountability

    (Regional events are being arranged and key stakeholders to be engaged)
    http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00505460.pdf

    Education Scotland: Local Authority review on measures to reduce workload

    • Inspectors looked at: what support and guidance for schools and teachers the local authority had in place; what the local authority required schools and teachers to do; and any specific guidance the local authority had provided on how to reduce bureaucracy/workload.
    •    The issues to be covered will include, in the context of both the broad general education (early years, primary and S1 to S3) and the senior phase:
      • forward and curriculum planning;
      • assessment, including national qualifications;
      • tracking, monitoring and reporting;
      • self-evaluation and improvement planning; and
      • IT systems.

    https://education.gov.scot/improvement/Documents/Review-of-Local-Authorities.pdf

    Education Scotland: Framework of teaching and benchmarks

    • CfE Statement and ‘draft’ Bench Marks published
      https://education.gov.scot/improvement/Pages/CfE-delivery-plan.aspx

    “The suite of documents provides clear, practical advice for teachers and practitioners on planning learning, teaching and assessment.  This streamlined approach includes a definitive Statement on Curriculum for Excellence and benchmarks to support learning, teaching and assessment in literacy/English and numeracy/mathematics”.

    SSTA Survey response, 68% SSTA members said the document would not have an impact in reducing teacher workload. A further 14% said the document would actually increase their workload. Little impact in Secondary Schools

    International Council of Education Advisor’s

    • Panel to meet twice a year with two year tenure
    • Business representative included but no trade union representative

    http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/International-education-panel-confirmed-26f8.aspx#downloads

    Teacher Panel

    • Members nominated by Education Scotland and the Scottish College for Education Leadership and are drawn from 14 local authority areas
    • The class teacher panel will ‘test’ the programme for reducing workload in schools

    Education Scotland: New Inspections

    New inspection models to suit particular circumstances and contexts to be introduced in a phased approach from August 2016. The inspection models are:

    • Full inspection model
    • Short inspection model
    • Localised thematic model
    • Neighbourhood model

    The HGIOS4 Quality Indicators to be evaluated on the six-point scale in full school inspections and have been re-focused to align with the new National Improvement Framework. They are:

    1.3 Leadership of Change

    2.3 Learning, Teaching and Assessment

    3.2 Raising Attainment and Achievement

    3.1 Ensuring Wellbeing, Equality and Inclusion

    National Improvement Framework for Scottish Education

    • National priorities: a) Literacy and numeracy; b) closing the gap; c) health and well-being; and d) positive destinations
    • Teacher professional judgement survey 2016 (formerly known as school data) -Literacy and numeracy judgements in P1, P2, P7 and S3 with National Report and Statistical Report to be published in December
    • Achievement of a level support plans – Education Scotland to arrange training sessions 1) moderation, 2) standards and 3) range of evidence required. Holistic assessment the main focus to assist LAs disseminate to schools
    • Standardised assessment update – Preferred bidder to be announced in October. Pilot carried out 2016-2017 most LAs volunteering to be part of pilot
    • Statutory Guidance – consultation until 11 November to be introduced in 2017
      https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-performance-unit/statutory-guidance

    Digital Learning and Teaching Strategy for Scotland – published

    • Improving access to digital technology for all learners
    • Empowering leaders of change to drive innovation and investment in digital technology for learning and teaching
    • Ensuring curriculum and assessment relevance in a digital context
    • Extending the skills and confidence of teachers in the appropriate and effective use of digital technology
      http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/09/9494

    Scottish Parliament – Education and Skills Committee

    SSTA has been asked to submit a paper and give evidence to the Committee as undertakes pre-budget scrutiny on the performance:

    • Scottish Qualifications Authority and Education Scotland.

    General Teaching Council

    Consultation on fitness to teach process and closes on 29 November 2016

    Scottish Trades Union Congress

    • Public Finance and Public Services Conference on Friday 14 October 2016. Agenda to include Fair Work, Scotland’s Budget, Tax and Public Services, Local Government Budgets, Privatisation and Arm’s Length Delivery.
    • STUC Organising Conference on Friday 11 November 2016.  Trade unions at the heart of the Fair Work in a Just Scotland, organising around occupational health and safety, and precarious employment
    • 2016 Women’s Congress – 28 & 29 October, Perth
    • 2017 and 2018 Annual Congress to be at the MacDonald Aviemore Resort
    • St Andrew’s Day March and Rally – Saturday 26 November, Glasgow
      – Theme “No Racism: Protecting Rights, Defending Communities”

     

  • 91% Vote in Favour of Industrial Action

    The SSTA Ballot for Industrial ‘Action Short of Strike Action’ returned a very large vote in favour to take action to reduce teacher workload. The Ballot closed on Friday (30 September 2106) and the SSTA National Council at its meeting on Saturday authorised the start of Industrial Action on Monday 24 October 2016.

    Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said, “The ballot has shown the strength of feeling and determination of secondary school teachers to address the workload demands that distract teachers from focusing on teaching and learning. The SSTA has consistently argued for cutbacks in bureaucracy and the damage it does to our young people and teachers”

    “The SSTA wishes to acknowledge and welcome the Deputy First Minister’s determination to declutter the work of teachers and allow them to focus on teaching and learning. However, The SSTA’s view is that teacher workload has and is unlikely to be significantly reduced in the current session, especially in the area of national qualifications, and therefore we have no option but to move into industrial action to protect its members”.

    Seamus Searson added, “The SSTA welcomed the Minister to its National Council meeting on Saturday and heard his request for more time to bring about change. Unfortunately, the proposed changes for National 5 do not take place until 2017-18 and with the lack of progress on National 4 the union had no option but to move to action to protect another cohort of young people and its members from excessive workload”.

    Euan Duncan, SSTA President said, “SSTA members care passionately about the young people they teach and getting the best qualifications. However, the pressure and stress suffered by both young people and teachers cannot be allowed to continue. We hope the Deputy First Minister can work with the SSTA to find a way forward and put measures in place to help the situation.”

     

    Further information from:

    Seamus Searson
    General Secretary

    0131 313 7300

  • Ballot for Industrial Action

    The Ballot for Industrial Action closed at 12 noon on Friday 30 September.  The SSTA National Executive  and SSTA Council will be meeting to consider the result of the ballot on Friday 30 September and Saturday 1 October respectively.  A statement will be issued to members on Monday 3 October.

     


    SSTA National Executive has set the date for the start of the formal postal ballot for Industrial Action on reducing Teacher Workload. The Ballot will commence on the 14 September and close on 30 September. All members employed by Local Authorities will be balloted.

    The question on the ballot paper will be  “Would you be prepared to take ‘action short of strike action’ to reduce teacher workload?”

    The SSTA recommends that members Vote Yes for ‘action short of strike action’.

    Industial-Action-website-imagevote-yes

    Ballot Papers will be sent out to home addresses by Electoral Reform Services on the 14th of September.  If you are unsure if we have the correct home address for you, please update your details by completing an online form or by emailing info@ssta.org.uk.

    A poster being sent to school representatives for display on notices board.  A PDF of the poster can be downloading by click on the image below.

    ballot-poster-sept-2016

     

     


    https://ssta.org.uk/2016/06/ssta-moves-industrial-action-ballot-cut-teacher-workload/

  • SSTA Challenges Chief Inspector’s statement on reducing teacher workload

    The SSTA conducted a survey of members following the publication on 29 August 2016 of Education Scotland’s “Curriculum for Excellence: A Statement for Practitioners from HM Chief Inspector of Education” document.

    Seamus Searson SSTA General Secretary said “the Chief Inspector’s Statement to Teachers on addressing teacher workload has been widely rejected by secondary school teachers across Scotland”.

    In response to the survey, 68% of SSTA members said the advice would not have an impact in reducing teacher workload. A further 14% said the advice would actually increase their workload.

    In relation to reductions in workload within the National Qualifications 75% said it would have no impact with 14% saying it would increase teacher workload.

    When broken down further on some of the elements that create teacher workload the members’ responses were

    • Assessment – 65% no impact with14% saying it would increase workload
    • Forward Planning – 67% no impact with 14% saying it would increase workload
    • Monitoring and Reporting – 70% no impact 15% said it would increase workload
    • Self-Evaluation and Improvement Planning – 71% no impact with 17% saying it would increase workload

    Seamus Searson said “the document started well and gave a direction of travel that is welcome. However the document failed to give clear direction to headteachers and teachers in the classroom of what is required within the teacher working week”.

    “Secondary school teachers want clear guidance on what is expected of them. SSTA believes that teachers should be allowed to focus on teaching and learning and ask themselves a simple question ‘is what I have been asked to do necessary for teaching and learning? Should the answer be no then it should not be done”.

    Euan Duncan, SSTA President said “this survey vindicates the union’s decision to conduct a ballot for industrial action to protect teachers from excessive and unnecessary workload. More needs to be done by the government and employers to reduce teacher workload”.

    Some additional comments from the survey

    “Our head teacher has advised us to ignore the advice for reducing our workload outlined in this document as we may have an inspection this year”

    “In our school they fear there will be an inspection this year. Our head teacher at a CL meeting stated very clearly that we were not to follow the guidelines issued in the “Curriculum for Excellence: A Statement for Practitioners from HM Chief Inspector of Education”.

    “We have been told by our head to “disregard” the document because HMIE speak with “forked tongue,” and that, despite their advice they will be looking to see in place the very things they are advising us not to continue doing.”

    “The reality for me is that we are using a large number of the areas which HMIe say ‘Avoid Doing’ because it is council policy to do them. There will be no reduction in workload unless schools and councils are made to implement reductions in workload”

    Concern with the document is that is bears very little resemblance to what is actually happening in schools and in classrooms.

    SSTA calls for all local authorities to issue the clear instruction to all Head Teachers to review and change current demands of overwork staff in light of the publication of this definite statement.

    Individual teachers do not have the professional autonomy to simply ignore current instructions and policies in order to implement the changes suggested in this statement.

    Note to the Editor

    The survey began on 31 August and on 14 September had 776 responses.

    SSTA National Executive sanctioned the formal postal ballot for Industrial Action on reducing Teacher Workload. The Ballot commenced on the 14 September and closes on 30 September.

  • SSTA General Secretary Report – September 2016

    BALLOT FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION TO BEGIN

    SSTA National Executive has set the date for the start of the formal postal ballot for Industrial Action on reducing Teacher Workload. The Ballot will commence on 14 September and close on 30 September. The National Executive are very much aware of the efforts of the Deputy First Minister to address Teacher Workload and promote Teacher Professional Judgement but Teacher Workload needs to be reduced in the current session. The SSTA asks again for urgent action to reduce teacher workload and refocus teachers to teaching and learning and closing the attainment gap.

    All members are reminded to ensure their home details are up to date to receive a ballot paper. National Executive has listened to the call from members to take action and is strongly advising members to vote YES in the ballot.

     

    ******* VOTE YES TO REDUCE TEACHER WORKLOAD *******

     SSTA Council

    • John Swinney Deputy First Minister (DFM) has accepted invitation to attend SSTA Council meeting on 1 October in Edinburgh

     Assessment and National Qualifications working group report – 26 May 2016

    • To review the policy framework, the development of qualifications, the assessment policy and practice. Interim report due in March but released on 26 May

    http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/Schools/WorkingGrouponAssessmentandNQs

     

    Education Scotland – 26 May

    • Guidance issued by Education Scotland appeared to reinforce the importance of Broad General Education until the end of S3 (“formal qualification courses will not begin before S4”) whilst later in the document it permits the introduction of National Qualification work prior to S4. http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/guidancenote_tcm4-876075.pdf

    Scottish Qualifications Authority – 26 May

    • SQA published their research reports and executive summary

    www.sqa.org.uk/nqresearch

    SSTA meeting with Minister 7 June

    • ‘Closing the Gap’ – the importance of the Inclusion agenda and the negative impact in schools due to finance cuts on those most in need.
    • Teacher Workload – SSTA welcomed the Ministers intention to ‘declutter’ teachers and allow focus on teaching and learning. The SSTA urged intervention with the employers and reach a way forward to tackle excessive teacher workload created by National Qualifications.
    • National Qualifications – discussion on possible actions that could reduce workload such as reducing internal assessment and trusting teachers’ professional judgement, an externally marked element in National 4 including Value Added Units to give credence to the qualification.
    • Future Structures – SSTA emphasised the important role of Local Authorities in delivering Education and all structures needed to be reviewed and improved rather than ‘wholesale’ structural change. We were reassured that it was your intention to encourage more collaboration between Local Authorities rather than a long process of restructuring.

    Education Summit – Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education – 15 June

    • Attended by all education stakeholders and all political parties
    • First Minister opening remarks – Chaired by Deputy First Minister
    • Building on Scotland’s strengths – an international perspective (OECD)
    • Aims of Summit – Towards a delivery plan for Excellence and Equity in education
    • Empowering classrooms and putting teachers at the heart of improvement

    SSTA Submission on Teacher Cutting Workload – 20 June

    The SSTA response focused on

    • General Workload – the ‘Curriculum for Excellence Working Group on Tackling Bureaucracy Follow-up Report’ (March 2015) had had minimal impact in schools.
    • National Qualifications – action to relieve the pressure immediately without any precedent being set for the future.

    Education Delivery Plan – 28 June 2016

    The Delivery Plan sets outs the actions required to close the attainment gap over the next five. It will involve further sustained pressure to reduce workload for teachers.

    The plan confirms the Scottish Government will:

    • Focus on closing the attainment gap by extending the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the next five years.
    • Launch a governance and funding review to examine the system changes required to empower schools, devolving funding and more decision-making to schools and communities.
    • Simplify Curriculum for Excellence and streamline the current range of curriculum guidance for teachers, and introduce a simpler set of key resources for the profession by January 2017.
    • Invest in teachers and their skills to ensure we have highly qualified and empowered staff.
    • Move from a “culture of judgement” to a “system of judgement” to provide robust information on the education system to support improvement.

    http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00502222.pdf

     

    Inspectorate LA reviews – 15 to 25 August

    • Inspectors will look at: what support and guidance for schools and teachers the local authority has in place; what the local authority requires schools and teachers to do; and any specific guidance the local authority has provided on how to reduce bureaucracy/workload.
    • Inspectors met local authority staff and speak to groups of headteachers and teachers from a number of schools and centres.
    • The issues to be covered will include, in the context of both the broad general education (early years, primary and S1 to S3) and the senior phase:
    • forward and curriculum planning;
    • assessment, including national qualifications;
    • tracking, monitoring and reporting;
    • self-evaluation and improvement planning;
    • IT systems; and any other issues/good practice which local authority staff, headteachers or teachers wish to highlight.

    Assessment and National Qualifications working group – 17 August

    • Group re-established and chaired by DFM to make recommendations to Ministers and the CfE Management Board on:
    • the policy framework (including design principles) within which qualifications are developed and operate
    • assessment policy and practice from age 3 to 18, and the best means of supporting improvements.

    “This will help to reduce unnecessary workload for teachers and learners. It is not enough to have good teachers if they do not have the time and space to do their job. That is why groups like this are essential to help us strip away anything that creates unnecessary workload for the profession”- DFM

    Framework of teaching and benchmarks – 29 August

    • CfE Statement and ‘draft’ Bench Marks published

    International Council of Education Advisors – 31August &1September

    • Panel to meet twice a year with two year tenure
    • Remit of panel and selection process requested
    • Business representative included but no trade union representative

    http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/International-education-panel-confirmed-26f8.aspx#downloads

    Teacher Panel

    • Members nominated by Education Scotland and the Scottish College for Education Leadership and are drawn from 14 local authority areas
    • The class teacher panel will ‘test’ the programme for reducing workload in schools

    National Improvement Framework for Scottish Education

    • National priorities: a) Literacy and numeracy; b) closing the gap; c) health and well-being; and d) positive destinations
    • Teacher professional judgement survey 2016 (formerly known as school data) -Literacy and numeracy judgements in P1, P2, P4 and S3 with National Report and Statistical Report to be published in December
    • Achievement of a level support plans – Education Scotland to arrange training sessions 1) moderation, 2) standards and 3) range of evidence required. Holistic assessment the main focus to assist LAs disseminate to schools
    • Standardised assessment update – 3 contractors have tendered with preferred bidder to be announced in mid-September. Pilot carried out 2016-2017 (7 Attainment Challenge LAs) with most LAs volunteering to be part of pilot
    • Statutory Guidance – consultation until 11 November to be introduced in 2017

    https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-performance-unit/statutory-guidance

     

    Digital Learning and Teaching Strategy – to be launched 21 September

    As a result of the positive consultation exercise, the strategy and its associated actions will be structured around 4 key themes:

    • Improving access to digital technology for all learners
    • Empowering leaders of change to drive innovation and investment in digital technology for learning and teaching
    • Ensuring curriculum and assessment relevance in a digital context
    • Extending the skills and confidence of teachers in the appropriate and effective use of digital technology

    Named Person – 28 July

    The Supreme Court judgment:

    • ruled that the principle of providing a named person for every child and young person does not breach human rights and is compatible with EU law;
    • rejected the petitioners’ argument that the legislation relates to reserved matters;
    • ruled that the information-sharing provisions of the 2014 Act are incompatible with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and that changes are needed to make those provisions compatible with Article 8.

    What this means is that the Scottish Government is required to amend the information-sharing provisions in the 2014 Act to provide greater clarity about the basis on which information will be shared to ensure compliance with the ECHR.

    Scottish Trades Union Congress

    • General Council priorities 2016-2017
      • Union Promotion and Engagement, to increase trade union membership
      • Campaigning and Communicating, relationships with Government, etc.
      • Policy Development, for economic and social equity
      • Equality, elimination of harassment, prejudice and unfair discrimination
      • Effective Organisation, effective governance arrangements
    • 2016 Women’s Congress – 28 & 29 October in Perth
    • 2017 and 2018 Annual Congress to be at the MacDonald Aviemore Resort
    • St Andrew’s Day March and Rally – Saturday 26 November, Glasgow

    – Theme “No Racism: Protecting Rights, Defending Communities”

    Trade Union Act

    • Received Royal approval on 4 May with legislation still to be enacted
    • 50% Ballot threshold is confirmed and so is the 40% threshold for important public

    services.

    • Ballot only valid for 6 months but can be extended to 9 months with the agreement of the employer.
    • Notice period for strikes extended to 14 days unless employer agrees

     

    ******* VOTE YES TO LET TEACHERS RETURN TO TEACHING *******