School Visits in Scotland

The SSTA today called for Scottish Government to provide specific funding to encourage schools to have a co-ordinated programme of school visits to places of Scottish cultural and historical interest. Alan McKenzie Acting General Secretary, said today “Many schools do this on a regular basis but rely on parents agreeing to meet the whole cost.  Clearly in the present economic climate, parents will struggle to meet that cost.  There is a funding source to allow selected pupils from each Scottish…

Use of Mobile Technology in Schools

Members should be aware of the recent guidelines from Scottish Government on Developing Policies to Promote Safe and Responsible Use of Mobile Technology in Schools. The guidance can be downloaded from the Scottish Government's website using the link below. Guidance on Developing Policies to Promote Safe and Responsible Use of Mobile Technology in Schools

CfE Working Group on Tackling Bureaucracy - Final Report

The Working Group set up to tackle concerns over unnecessary bureaucracy around the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence has released its Final Report and recommended a series of actions.  The SSTA welcomes the Report as a genuine attempt to address one of the problems of CfE. It contains a practical and common sense set of recommendations that will be welcomed by hard pressed teachers. The Scottish Governments statement on the report can be found on their website.  The Report can…

New Improved Services to Members

The Association is pleased to inform members that increased cover for personal possessions and malicious damage to private motor vehicles has been arranged.  The cover provides insurance for damage to private vehicles, loss of personal possessions including bicycles and spectacles, loss of money and a large range of benefits for personal accidents. Further details of the scheme is provided in the member only section of the website

Survey on Pensions

The results of the recent survey of members who will be directly affected by the proposed pension changes are now available for members to view. Summary of Results of the Survey on Pensions - October 2013 (Adobe Acrobat required to view) The Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee will consider the results at their next meeting.

Equality Network Annual Reception

Marco Biagi MSP and James Forbes, SSTA President Monique Dréon-Goold, representing the Equalities Panel, accompanied the President James Forbes to the Equality Network Annual Reception in the Scottish Parliament during early November. After opening speeches from the Equality Network, guests heard Alex Neil MSP (SNP) make a very compelling speech in favour of a just and democratic Scotland which would leave no citizen excluded from full equality in law and society. There followed speeches in support from Marco Biagi MSP…

Survey on Pensions

The Association is inviting members who will be directly affected by the proposed pension changes to take part in a survey to establish what their views are.  Teachers born on or after 1 April 1962 will be affected by the proposed changes. Email invitations have been sent out to members.  If are affected by the proposed pension changes and have not received an invitation to the survey please email info@ssta.org.uk with your name, school, date of birth and email address…