Category: Information for Members

  • Holiday Pay Accrual for Additional Work

    Due to a recent European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling (due to be finalised in December) it has been established that holiday pay should also have been accrued on any Additional Work, potentially going back to 1998.  Some teachers will be affected by this decision and the Additional Work could include:

    (i)    supported study, tutor groups, holiday revision groups at rates paid by the Local Authority
    (ii)   development work paid for on an hourly basis
    (iii)  additional Music, Drama or PE activities paid at an hourly rate, e.g. a Council wide event.

    The effect of the judgment is that there will be an additional 8.3% of the amount paid due to those who have carried out this work.  Some authorities have already started applying the 8.3% increase to these payment and some have backdated the payments to a variety of dates.

    COSLA are currently trying to negotiate a national settlement with non-teaching unions which proposes this 8.3% uplift on any payment which falls into the category of Additional Work backdated for an agreed period of time.  The negotiation is around how long the backdating is applied and what proportion of the sum due will be paid.  If an agreement is likely with these other unions, COSLA have indicated that they may wish to negotiate the same settlement with the teacher unions.  The advantage of such an agreement is that local authorities would not require any evidence to support the back payment of sums due, they will use their own payroll information, but they will only go back the nationally agreed period of time, possibly a few years.   This may suit some members who do not have the necessary evidence for a claim but not others who have retained relevant payslips.

    It would be very helpful if we could begin to establish how many of our members may be affected by this judgment, the potential value of each claim per year and confirmation that relevant evidence is available to substantiate any claim.  Could I ask that you locate your evidence and complete the information requested on our website, letting us know the amount of pay you have received on which the 8.3% uplift would be due.

    Please note that all work done within a teacher’s normal contract already attracts holiday pay as set out in the SNCT Handbook and the rates paid for the Additional Work are not negotiated under the terms of the SNCT Handbook.  These are additional voluntary duties.

  • Political Affiliations

    Following a number of recent enquiries we would like to clarify the Association’s position regarding donations to political parties and political affiliations.

    • The SSTA is not affiliated with any political party.
    • No part of the subscription fee paid by members goes towards any political party.
    • The SSTA does not have a political fund and does not make donations to any political party.
  • CfE Survey Sept’14 – By Subject

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  • Appointment of Professional Officers

    Following recent interviews Elizabeth Hunter, District Secretary, Stirling and Iain Glennie, School Representative, Larkhall, have been successful in their application for the posts of Professional Officer.  We offer them both congratulations and wish them every success in their new appointment.

    Elizabeth Hunter will take up post on 20 October with Iain Glennie taking up post in November.

  • Newsletter

    The latest edition of the SSTA Newsletter is now available for download using the link below.

    Congress 2014

  • Raising Attainment for All – The Impact of poverty on educational attainment

    The Association has been invited to send a delegation to the ‘The Impact of poverty on educational attainment’ event on 19 June at the New Lanark Heritage site.  Any member who wishes to attend should email the SSTA office at info@ssta.org.uk with their details.

    Raising Attainment

     

  • SQA Exams – have your say

    You will be aware that the SSTA have been monitoring the Scottish Qualifications Authority over the past session, particularly as Nationals 4 and 5 are being introduced.

    You will recall our survey of members in January which raised many issues about the confidence of teachers to deliver and assess these courses and these were shared in frank discussions with the SQA, and later to the Scottish Parliament through its Education Committee. As a result, we have been assured that many changes will feed their way into next year’s cycle.

    The SQA have requested that we give feedback on this year’s exams. In order to do this, the SSTA Education Committee has organised a one day seminar where subject specialist members can meet to make comment on each exam at National 5, Higher and, where possible, Advanced Higher. There will also be an opportunity to discuss wider issues relating to the delivery and assessment of qualifications, including a look forward to the Nationals 6 and 7.

    The meeting is in the Premier Inn (Haymarket) on Saturday 7th June, from 10.30am. A lunch will be provided, and travel costs will be reimbursed. The number of places is limited, but if you would like to comment on your subject’s exams, we would be delighted to hear your views, both positive and negative.

    Please confirm your proposed attendance by e-mailing info@ssta.org.uk including your name and subject specialism by Monday 2 June. Please note that places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, subject to a range of subjects being covered. Further information will be e-mailed to participants before 7th June.

    Richard Goring
    Professional Officer
    on behalf of the Education Committee

  • General Secretary

    Sheila Mechan’s employment as General Secretary of the association was terminated on Monday 28 April.

    This follows her formal suspension on April 19th, less than two weeks after taking up her position on April 7th.

    There had been an  immediate breakdown in a significant number of crucial working relationships.   It was therefore decided to move quickly to resolve the situation.

    Alan McKenzie, will again fulfil the role as Acting General Secretary on an interim basis, whilst the recruitment of a new, permanent General Secretary is undertaken.

  • Professional Update

    Dear Registrant

     

    Professional Update comes into effect from August 2014. There are a number of things you should do to be ready for Professional Update and this letter and leaflet are designed to help explain them to you. You may have read about Professional Update on the GTC Scotland website, in our e-newsletters, or in Teaching Scotland magazine. You may also have received information from your employer, or attended an event organised by GTCS Scotland, your employer or your professional association, held to explain more about Professional Update.

     

    Engagement in the Professional Update process will become a requirement for all fully registered teachers from August 2014.  You  will  find  enclosed  a  leaflet  which  details  the  key  principles  of Professional Update, outlines the steps in the process and provides links to further information.

     

    GTC Scotland has been piloting Professional Update since August 2012, working with teachers in local authorities, independent schools, universities and Education Scotland. A working group comprising representatives of unions, employers, government, parents, universities, Education Scotland and GTC Scotland has met regularly to agree the way forward, produce guidelines and review progress. We have used the findings of this pilot work to develop the process which will be rolled out nationally from August

     

    We believe  that  Professional  Update,  which  is  premised  on  supportive  and  rigorous  Professional Review and Development (PRD) and sustained professional learning, will contribute to the future quality of the education profession. The process builds on and develops existing good practice and comprises the following interlinked features:

     

    • An annual update of contact information to GTC Scotland;

     

    • Engagement in professional learning, including continuing engagement in PRD processes;

     

    • Ongoing self-evaluation against an appropriate GTC Scotland Professional Standard;

     

    • Discussion of this engagement and its impact, as part of the PRD process;

     

    • Maintenance of a professional learning record and portfolio of evidence of impact; and

     

    • 5-yearly confirmation of engagement in this process with GTC Scotland.

     

    From August 2014,  all registered  teachers  are required to engage  in the  ongoing  process  outlined above, with the 5-yearly sign-off process being implemented on a rolling basis, based on GTC Scotland registration numbers, as detailed in the table below:

     

    2014/2015 Registration years  ending in 9 and 4
    2015/2016 Registration years ending in 0 and 5
    2016/2017 Registration years ending in 1 and 6
    2017/2018 Registration years ending in 2 and 7
    2018/2019 Registration years ending in 3 and 8

     

    As your registration number is (to be inserted as appropriate), you will be required to complete the Professional Update sign off process for the first time in session 2017/2018.  Your GTC Scotland registration year is the first two digits of your registration number.

     

    Teachers (including supply teachers) working in local authorities, independent schools and universities will  receive further  information from their  employers  about how they  can record their  professional learning and complete the Professional Update sign off in line with local procedures.

     

    We plan to pilot Professional Update with a small number of registered teachers in the college sector in session 2014 I 2015. Registered teachers working in the college sector due to complete the 5-yearly sign-off will be able to defer this process until the completion of the pilots, and can contact us at: professional.update@gtcs.org.uk to do so.

     

    We have developed additional guidance for teachers who are not employed in these contexts to ensure that they are able to engage in the process and maintain registration with GTC Scotland. This includes retired  teachers, teachers  about  to  retire, teachers  working  in the  college  sector,  national  bodies, working outwith the education system, working abroad and not currently working. If this applies to you, you will find further information on our website at:  www.gtcs.org.uk/professional-update

     

    Finally, further information on each aspect of the process can be found in the leaflet and on the GTC Scotland website: www.gtcs.org.uk/professional-update. Our magazine, Teaching Scotland, will continue to feature articles on Professional Update as we approach August 2014, including detailed information on each aspect of the process, case studies and links to support resources.

     

    Thank you for your participation in Professional Update. If you have any queries about the information contained in this letter please e-mail  professional.update@gtcs.org.uk.

     

    Yours sincerely

     

    Kenneth Muir

    Chief Executive

     

     

    Kate  Adams
    Customer Services Co-ordinatorT: 0131 314 6080
    E: Kate.Adams@gtcs.org.uk   

    The General Teaching Council for Scotland
    Clerwood House
    96 Clermiston Road
    Edinburgh
    EH12 6UT

    www.gtcs.org.uk

    Professional Update – this affects you!
    Professional Update will be rolled out nationally to all teachers from August 2014. Find out more at: http://www.gtcs.org.uk/professional-update

  • Pension Reminder

    Members should be aware of the last increase in employee contribution to pensions.  Details are in the table below. This will apply on April salaries onwards.

    Pension Increases [FileName]_1