Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association

Category: Information for Members

  • Curriculum for Excellence Crisis in Confidence

    The SSTA has today released interim figures following its survey on N4/N5 and the New Higher.  The response to the survey has been overwhelming and it is for this reason that we have decided to issue an interim statement.

    Acting General Secretary Alan McKenzie said “We continue to be alarmed by the clear lack of confidence being expressed by our members particularly in terms of the assessment materials for N4 and 5.     80% of the respondents indicated that they were not confident in the ability to assess pupils in N4 and 5.  Such alarming rates of lack of confidence must be acted upon.  If a teacher lacks confidence then this will be quickly transferred to young people.  Equally alarming, but with slightly less urgency, is the finding that nearly 78% of respondent indicated no confidence in their ability to deliver course materials for new Higher Qualifications and 86% indicated  their lack of confidence in assessment procedures for the new Higher.

    Furthermore, our survey attempted to capture the attitude of our members to the quality of support being offered.  It is clear that the great area of dissatisfaction is with Education Scotland (93% dissatisfaction) and the SQA (93% dissatisfaction).

    Alan McKenzie added

    “Throughout the implementation of CfE the SSTA has attempted to signal real concerns about progress.  We have been careful about appearing alarmist and at all times wished to contribute positively to the successful outcome of this curricular initiative.  There is still time to achieve this and it is for that reason we have decided to release an interim statement on this important survey”.

    SSTA CfE Survey- Interim Results

    Further information from

    Alan McKenzie
    Acting General Secretary
    0131 313 7300

  • SPPA Consultation on draft regulations

    Consultation on draft regulations to implement the new Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme with effect from 1 April 2015

    The above consultation is available to view on the SPPA website and runs from 20 December 2013 to 16 February 2014.

    Comments can be made on-line by completing the questionnaire or by completing the printable consultation form and returning it either by email to stsspensionreform@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or alternatively by mail to:

    STSS Consultation (2015 Reform)
    SPPA Policy
    7 Tweedside Park
    Tweedbank
    Galashiels

  • 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 secondary school to visit Auschwitz.  This is a worthwhile spending.  However, we should like to see the funding extended to key sites in Scotland.  For example the site of the Battle of Culloden is worthy of a systematic programme of visits, the battle presaging the practice of an episode of genocide in our own nation.  Given the nature of Curriculum for Excellence it would seem appropriate to encourage our young people to sample such important historical and cultural sites in Scotland.”

    For further information contact:-

    Alan McKenzie

    Acting General Secretary

    0131 313 7300

  • 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 also be download from the website

  • Stonewall Scotland Campaign

    The SSTA would wish to bring to the attention of members Stonewall Scotland’s Campaign about the use of homophobic language in schools.  The SSTA supports this campaign.

     

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  • 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

    It's Time
    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 (SNP), Margaret McCulloch MSP (Scottish Labour), Jackson Carlaw MSP (Scottish Conservatives), William Rennie (Scottish Liberal Democrats) and Patrick Harvie (Scottish Green Party).

    The Loud and Proud Choir provided the entertainment.

  • 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 to receive an invitation.

    Background information on the changes is available from here.

     

    The Survey has now closed.