The SSTA continues to hear from members that disruptive behaviour by young people is a growing barrier to effective learning and teaching. Such behaviour not only impacts learners’ attainment but also increases stress and anxiety for teachers. The SSTA has consistently pressed the Scottish Government for a unified approach to supporting teachers in meeting the needs of young people in our schools, and we welcome the introduction of the Relationships and Behaviour Action Plan (see below).
We now wish to hear from members whether the Action Plan has made a difference in managing challenging behaviour in schools. The SSTA previously conducted a pupil behaviour survey in 2023, and this follow-up survey will inform our discussions with the Scottish Government and contribute to the further development of the Action Plan.
Email invitations to take part in the survey were sent to members on Wednesday 20 August at approx. 12.45pm
As part of the next stage of the action plan on the 17 June the Government published Fostering a Positive, Inclusive and Safe School Environment guidance (the ‘consequences’ guidance) and the Violent, Aggressive and Dangerous Behaviour Risk Assessment guidance.
The SSTA, alongside other teacher unions, has been waiting for four years to discuss the proposed 90-minute reduction in teacher class contact time—without success. The most recent SNCT meeting, held on 25 June, saw no progress, as COSLA refused to share any documentation.
Throughout the summer, however, information not shared with teacher unions has been freely circulated via the TES. These articles are worth reading (links provided below).
Misinformation and assumptions have been shared publicly while unions remain excluded from the discussion. This only strengthens concerns that decisions—or excuses—are being developed to block the implementation of this critical measure to reduce teacher workload.
Our ‘Delivering the 90 Minutes and Protecting Secondary Teachers’ member survey is a vital part of our campaign. Thank you to the thousands of members who have already responded. Reminders will be issued shortly for those yet to participate. Related articles:
Scottish teaching unions have expressed their frustration over the lack of progress in pay negotiations. As a result, the deadline to implement higher salaries by the start of August has been missed.
The SSTA’s concerns were featured in a TES article on 3 July 2025, which included a statement from COSLA claiming a two-year deal had been offered to the entire Scottish local government workforce—including teachers. This raises serious questions: is COSLA again undermining and bypassing the SNCT pay negotiating process?
National Qualifications – ‘Teachers Have Done Well
Scottish secondary teachers have once again demonstrated professionalism and dedication in delivering this year’s national qualifications. Every effort has been made to ensure all students had the opportunity to fulfil their potential. This marks the second year of full course assessment since the Covid pandemic.
The start of the new term brings fresh faces to our staffrooms. Please take a moment to welcome new colleagues and encourage them to join the SSTA. One new member in every school makes a real difference. There are several great offers for new members—just direct them to the SSTA website, where joining is quick and easy. www.ssta.org.uk/join
SSTA Membership Offers
NQTS – Free Until January 2027
New Members – 50% off subscription fees for the first 12 months
Part-time members – Pay a reduced subscription of 50% off the full-time subscription
As part of the SSTA’s campaign to reduce teachers’ class-contact time by 90 minutes, the “Delivering the 90 minutes and protecting secondary teachers” member survey was launched last week. Within days, the SSTA received nearly 1,700 responses.
Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary, said: “The survey shows that all secondary teachers work beyond their 35-hour contractual week and provide huge amounts of ‘free overtime’. Yet the employers (COSLA) fail to recognise the significance of the Scottish Government’s promise to reduce contact time by 90 minutes for teachers’ wellbeing and effectiveness. Despite government funding, COSLA continues to ‘fiddle while teachers burn,’ watching teachers leave the profession exhausted and burnt out.”
Seamus added: “The teaching profession in Scotland is in crisis. The failure to recruit in the secondary sector—and the exodus of many teachers before retirement—are a massive indictment of COSLA’s inability over the past four years to implement a ‘no-brainer’ solution to retain and recruit teachers. The survey also shows the strength of feeling among members: 92% are prepared to take industrial action (the survey is still live).”
Peter Brandon, SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Convener, said: “Scottish teachers teach well above the OECD average, yet our employers seem unable to understand how much better teaching and learning would be with less-exhausted teachers. Reducing class-contact time is vital in addressing excessive teacher workload. Our children suffer daily while this situation continues unchanged.”
[ENDS]
Early Survey Findings
How many hours do you work beyond the 35-hour contractual week?
18%: up to 5 extra hours
43%: up to 10 extra hours
25%: up to 15 extra hours
14%: more than 15 extra hours per week
How many hours do you spend on planning, preparation, and correction during the school day? (Maximum contractual time: 7.5 hours/week)
31%: less than 2 hours
24%: less than 4 hours
14%: less than 6 hours
31%: receive the full 7.5 hours
Are you asked to teach or cover beyond your maximum 22.5 hours of class-contact time?
48%: never
49%: occasionally
3%: regularly
Member Comments
“More planning time—well used by professionally motivated teachers—will surely lead to improved learner experiences and better educational outcomes.”
“I work every night and weekend, far above my 35 hours.”
“More than 50% of our school population has an ASN, yet we have fewer PSAs than ever. Some pupils arrive at secondary school still at an early level in literacy and numeracy. Trying to support these pupils in class and differentiate work appropriately is impossible within the current allocated time.”
“Imagine someone in the private sector being expected to perform all day with no break between performances; no time to reflect on each performance and no time to prepare for the next. We are constantly on high alert with no headspace to plan, prepare, and reflect, yet we are expected to work miracles in our classrooms every day, managing all kinds of needs and abilities.”
“As a teacher of 25 years, I feel the profession is failing. Teachers are under immense pressure to deliver BGE and national qualifications to classes so differentiated that the job has become completely impossible.”
‘Delivering the 90 minutes and protecting secondary teachers’ member survey
As part of the ‘Delivering the 90 minutes and protecting secondary teachers’ member survey we asked about teachers workload. You have shown how much ‘Free Overtime’ you give in the interests of the children and the school. Nearly 1,700 members have responded within a few days of the survey starting and it has shown the importance of getting a reduction in class contact time.
At this point we can share some of the early findings
In answer to the question how many hours over the 35 hour contractual week?
18% said up to 5 hours extra,
43% up to 10 hours extra,
25% said up to 15 hours and
14% beyond 15 hours extra per week.
When asked how many hours for planning, preparation and correction do you use during the school day (7.5 hours is the maximum per week)?
31% less than 2 hours
24% less than 4 hours
14% less than 6 hours
31% were receiving their contractual 7.5 hour
In addition Are you asked to teach and cover beyond your maximum 22.5 hours maximum class contact time?
48% said never
49% said occasionally
3% said regularly
This clearly shows teachers are working beyond their contractual hours and offering huge amounts of ‘free overtime’. This information will be used at meetings with the COSLA and the Scottish Government to deliver the 90 minutes reduction in class contact time.
Reducing class contact time is a crucial step in addressing excessive teacher workload. Despite this, employers have failed to recognise the significance of the promised 90 minutes for teachers’ wellbeing and effectiveness.
The SSTA is seeking the following:
That agreement is reached, at the SNCT, ensuring that the full 1.5 hours resulting from the promised reduction in weekly class contact time is used to increase weekly “preparation and correction” time to a minimum of 9 hours, as a key step forward in addressing unsustainable levels of workload.
That agreement is reached, at the SNCT, on the timescales and practical implementation of the reduction in weekly class contact time to a maximum of 21 hours per week.
All members are being encouraged to complete the ‘Delivering the 90 minutes and protecting secondary teachers’ survey to help resolve the ongoing dispute with the employers. Further findings from the survey will be shared in due course.
Reminder – Members are urged to check their personal details to ensure they receive the link to the survey. Email invitations for the consultative survey have been sent to members ‘preferred’ email address. SSTA recommends using a personal email address as their ‘preferred email address’ to avoid employer security controls.
As part of the next stage of the action plan on the 17 June the Government published Fostering a Positive, Inclusive and Safe School Environment guidance (the ‘consequences’ guidance) and the Violent, Aggressive and Dangerous Behaviour Risk Assessment guidance.
The SSTA met with Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary Education and Skills on 18 June and welcomed the developments in the action plan. As it ensures a national approach to pupil behaviour in schools. The SSTA emphasised for the action plan to be successful it was important that additional professional support in schools such as school counsellors, school nurses, school social workers, etc. as an essential component and must be provided for all secondary schools. The SSTA pushed for protected Government funding for this purpose and for the additional staffing not to be left to the discretion of local authorities.
Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities – Education Scotland
The SSTA has been working with Education Scotland’s Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities team to meet the evolving needs of learners and educators. The team has asked that we circulate the following message and survey.
In order to continue strengthening our support and driving positive outcomes, we are inviting you to complete a short, 10-minute questionnaire. Your insights will directly inform how we shape future support for learners and practitioners across Scotland, helping us better align with the needs of the system. We would be grateful if you could consider taking part in our short questionnaire, to ensure Scottish education system’s vision of achieving equity and excellence for all learners.
The questionnaires will close on the 30 June 2025.
SPPA – Teacher Pension Benefit Statements
The SPPA has been busy attempting to complete the ‘Remedial Service Statement (RSS)’ for those members who have service prior to April 2022. To ensure you receive your benefit statement or any communications regarding your pension you must ensure you are registered with the SPPA. It is recommended that you check your details and use your personal email address.
Members who have started since April 2022 will be members of the CARE scheme and should normally receive your benefit statement in September.
With the expected high temperatures in the next few days, members may find the ‘Heating Regulations and Ventilation‘ section from the SSTA Health and Safety Handbook useful. If you require specific advice, please contact SSTA HQ at info@ssta.org.uk.
‘Delivering the 90 minutes and protecting secondary teachers’ member survey
Reducing class contact time is a crucial step in addressing excessive teacher workload. Despite this, employers have failed to recognise the significance of the promised 90 minutes for teachers’ wellbeing and effectiveness. Alongside other teaching unions, the SSTA has reached the limit of its patience and will now ask members whether they are prepared to escalate the dispute and move toward industrial action.
The SSTA is seeking the following:
That agreement is reached, at the SNCT, ensuring that the full 1.5 hours resulting from the promised reduction in weekly class contact time is used to increase weekly “preparation and correction” time to a minimum of 9 hours, as a key step forward in addressing unsustainable levels of workload.
That agreement is reached, at the SNCT, on the timescales and practical implementation of the reduction in weekly class contact time to a maximum of 21 hours per week.
The ‘Delivering the 90 minutes and protecting secondary teachers’ members survey will ask members their preparedness to take both action short of strike action and strike action to resolve the ongoing dispute with the employers. The survey will commence on Wednesday 18 June and close on Thursday 28 August.
Reminder – Members are urged to check their personal details to ensure they receive the link to the survey. Email invitations for the consultative survey will be sent to members ‘preferred’ email address. SSTA recommends using a personal email address as their ‘preferred email address’ to avoid employer security controls.
Cabinet Secretary at the SSTA Congress
Jenny Gilruth MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, attended the SSTA 80th Congress at Stirling in May. The Cabinet Secretary addressed Congress and answered questions from delegates. Ms Gilruth spoke on school funding, protecting teacher numbers, ASN, reducing class contact time, pupil behaviour and consequences, mobile phones and SQA. View the Cabinet Secretary address Congress.
‘Industrial Action Sanctioned’ – Reduction in Class Contact Time
As no progress has been made toward the long-promised reduction in class contact time, the SSTA National Executive has sanctioned a consultative survey of members for industrial action. The reduction of 90 minutes class contact time was promised by the Scottish Government four years ago and COSLA has baulked at every turn to progress the promise. The reduction of class contact time is a small step in addressing teacher workload and the employers have failed to acknowledge the importance of the 90 minutes to teachers. The SSTA together with other teacher unions has reached the end of their patience and now will be asking members to progress the dispute and move towards industrial action.
The ‘Delivering the 90 minutes and protecting secondary teachers’ members survey will ask members their preparedness to take action short of strike action and strike action in resolving the dispute with the employers. The survey will commence the week beginning 16 June and close at the end of August. For the avoidance of doubt this is an informative survey for national executive to gauge members views before moving to a formal official postal ballot for industrial action. Further information to follow.
Members are urged to check their personal details to ensure they receive the link to the survey. Email invitations for the consultative survey will be sent to members ‘preferred’ email address. SSTA recommends using a personal email addresses as their ‘preferred email address’ to avoid employer security controls.
SNCT Pay Claim 2025-2026 ‘No Pay Offer Received – Time is Running Out’
The SNCT Extended Joint Chairs met on 4 June with the Teacher Side(SSTA and EIS) expecting an improved pay offer, after rejecting the initial 3% offer in March. The COSLA Leaders met on 30 May and failed to progress a new offer. Consequently, this has reduced the time to reach an agreement before the end of term (25 June). The COSLA Leaders are due to meet again in the coming weeks and the Teachers’ Side has urged a follow-up meeting to receive a new offer. The Teacher Side said it would be difficult, but it would be prepared to process a suitable offer before the end of term.
Health and Safety Walkaround in Secondary Schools
The SSTA Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee held an online meeting to explain the process of ‘Health and Safety Walkaround in Schools’. The session was led by the Convener Grant McAllister and Iain Glennie Assistant General Secretary who explained the importance of H&S school inspections in a straightforward and interesting way (no jargon). Please follow the link below to see the presentation. If you would like more information about being a SSTA Health and Safety Rep, do contact the SSTA Head Office at info@ssta.org.uk
SNCT Pay Claim 2025-2026 ‘Doubt if it will be delivered on time’
The SNCT Teachers’ Side continues to await an improved pay offer, following the rejection of the initial 3% offer in March. The SSTA, alongside the EIS, has engaged with employers (COSLA) and the Scottish Government in efforts to reach a fair and timely settlement before the end of term.
The Teachers’ Side has consistently reiterated its position that any revised pay offer must:
Exceed the rate of inflation,
Include a restorative element to address past real terms pay erosion, and
Apply equally across all SNCT pay grades, without differentiation.
While both COSLA and the Scottish Government have publicly stated their desire to reach an agreement before the end of term—allowing a salary increase to be implemented by the scheduled date of 1 August—time is rapidly running out. Unless a new and significantly improved pay offer is presented in the coming days, the likelihood of meeting this deadline appears increasingly remote.
Teachers have heard these reassurances before. Promises without action do little to restore confidence. Although the settlement date was already deferred from April to August to allow for negotiations, a further delay now seems inevitable.
Reduction in Class Contact Time – Unions need to act
Little progress has been made toward the long-promised reduction in class contact time, despite an agreement to establish an SNCT working group—including union representation—to move implementation forward. To date:
No meeting date has been set,
No remit for the group has been shared, and
The SNCT Teachers’ Side remains excluded from the planning discussions.
Meanwhile, the employers and the Scottish Government continue to meet independently, without union involvement—a clear breach of the SNCT’s constitutional procedures. This exclusion is unacceptable and undermines the principles of partnership working.
It has now been four years since the government pledged to reduce teacher class contact time. Continued delays and lack of meaningful engagement have left the teacher unions with little choice but to take further action.
The SSTA, together with other unions, is preparing to escalate efforts and seek direct support from members to increase pressure on decision-makers. The SSTA National Executive will meet next week to determine the union’s next steps in pursuing this critical issue.
Centre for Teaching Excellence
The University of Glasgow has been announced as the host of Scotland’s new Centre for Teaching Excellence and will be formally launched in the coming weeks. The Centre of Teaching Excellence is intended to support research and innovation in teaching practice for all children and young people, with the aim of making Scotland a world-leader in teaching practice. The centre is to be developed in partnership with teachers and professional associations as part of ongoing work to reform Scotland’s education system. To support the development of the centre a ‘National Teacher Survey’ has been released and we have been asked to encourage members to participate in the survey.
The 80th SSTA Annual Congress took place on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 May at the Stirling Court Hotel and a full report of proceedings with follow in the coming weeks.
Good afternoon, President, distinguished guests, and esteemed delegates of Congress.
It is with profound gratitude, and a deep sense of duty, that I stand before you today, having once again been entrusted with the role of General Secretary.
Over the past ten years, I’ve had the privilege of serving this organization through a time of significant change.
And as we look ahead, it is clear: even greater change lies before us.
The Challenges We Face
The challenges we face are complex.
They confront us as educators, as trade unionists, as parents, as community members, and as public servants.
Today, freedoms that many once thought were untouchable are at risk.
We see the rise of extremism.
We see the spread of misinformation.
And we see a disturbing erosion of mutual respect, understanding, and accountability.
These forces threaten the very foundation of our democratic society.
Freedom and Responsibility
It is vital, that every citizen, especially those in the public sector, can express their views without fear of censure or reprisal.
Freedom of speech and thought is not a privilege. It is a cornerstone of a resilient, healthy democracy.
This matters deeply to us, because we are in the business of shaping hearts and minds.
But educators cannot, and should not, carry that burden alone.
Support from parents, communities, and civic institutions is not optional. It is essential.
Teachers must be trusted.
We must be given the space to educate with integrity.
To reason. To explain. To foster critical thinking.
This is how we pass on values of understanding, respect, and responsibility to the next generation.
Unity and Commitment
The road ahead won’t be easy. But it is a road we must travel together.
With unity.
With courage.
And with determination.
Let us reaffirm our values. Let us stand firm in our mission. Let us ensure that education, equality, and democracy prevail.
Our Identity as a Union
From the beginning, our focus has been clear:
Secondary teachers, and secondary education.
That hasn’t changed. It won’t change.
For more than 80 years, we’ve faced challenges. But we’ve stayed true to the values of our members.
We are a principled union, but also a pragmatic one.
We’ve never accepted that “nothing can be done.”
We’ve always worked to find solutions, even when the road was blocked.
What makes the SSTA different is this:
We don’t just highlight problems, we solve them.
We think differently. We challenge assumptions.
We understand the bigger picture.
Pay and the SNCT
Let me turn now to pay.
In January, the SNCT submitted our 2025–26 claim: 6% across all SNCT grades.
To date, an offer of 3% has been made, and quickly rejected.
Let me be clear: any deal must include a restorative element, not just match inflation. Teachers’ salaries must return to the value they once held.
We’re open to a multi-year deal, but the figures must protect teachers throughout.
We understand financial pressures. COSLA says it is at the limit.
But this delay, this refusal to act makes teachers feel undervalued and ignored.
Workload and Contact Time
Equally concerning is the failure to deliver on reduced class contact time.
An additional 90 minutes per week for planning, preparation, and correction is not an unreasonable ask.
Yet we hear: “What’s in this for us?”
Let me tell you what’s in it:
Reduced workload for teachers
Better-prepared lessons
Improved outcomes for our children
A real chance of retaining the teachers we have
That is what’s in it, for everyone.
We’re in a recruitment crisis.
Too many teachers are on temporary contracts.
Job-shares are being rejected. Phased retirements discouraged.
Over 50% of newly qualified secondary teachers can’t find permanent posts.
Just this week, a survey showed secondary schools are carrying on average two vacancies each.
That means fewer teachers to handle behaviour challenges.
Fewer teachers to support pupils with additional needs.
This cannot go on.
The Way Forward
The SNCT must work. And for that to happen, we need:
Real negotiations
Respect for the profession
Action on recruitment and retention
A serious commitment to reducing workload
We also need education funding ring-fenced.
When the Scottish Government allocates money for education, it must stay in education.
Teacher numbers must not just be maintained, they must increase
We need time and funding for:
Professional development
Teaching resources
Let’s stop the wrangling.
Put children first, and let teachers teach.
Education in Flux
The education landscape in Scotland is shifting again. Some say it always is.
But this time, it’s fundamental. The changes will shape secondary education for a generation.
We’re talking about:
The Curriculum, especially the Senior Phase
Assessments and the role of Qualification Scotland
The structure of Education Scotland and the Inspection system
And all of this, in a time of austerity. When the only constant is cuts.
New initiatives arrive weekly, each relying on the goodwill of teachers. But that goodwill is wearing thin.
Real Reform, Not Change for Its Own Sake
Yes, change is needed. But not change for its own sake.
Let’s begin with the curriculum. It’s what we do.
The Curriculum for Excellence was meant to develop:
Successful learners
Confident individuals
Responsible citizens
Effective contributors
It promotes flexibility, transferable skills, and continuous assessment.
Then I ask:
Why aren’t we offering a balanced, enriching curriculum to all young people until age 18?
Why are we forcing them through a qualification factory, spending more time on exams and paperwork than on actual learning?
Supportive Systems
The new Qualification Scotland must trust teachers. Support them not burden them.
No more constant demands for evidence. Trust our judgement.
The new Inspection system must be context specific.
Secondary schools are not the same as primary or early years. One model doesn’t fit all.
Inspections must support not punish. Encourage, not intimidate.
The fear of inspection is real. It stifles creativity. It kills innovation.
And let me go further:
Inspections should follow the money.
Inspect those who hold the purse strings. Inspect those issuing directives, not just the schools carrying them out.
Schools are not autonomous. Let’s stop pretending they are.
When one school struggles in a council area it’s everyone’s concern.
The winners-and-losers culture must end.
Change Must Support Teachers
Reform must support teachers, not hinder them.
As reform takes shape, the SSTA is clear:
Teachers must be at the centre.
Conclusion
We will continue to fight for:
Fair pay
Respect for our profession
Better working conditions
Real reform that supports, not burdens our schools
This isn’t about politics.
It’s about classrooms.
About pupils. About learning.
About the future of Scottish education.
Let us speak with one voice.
Let us be the change that teachers, and Scotland’s young people, deserve.
Thank you
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