Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association

Category: Information for Members

  • Children’s Education at Risk by Cutting Teacher Numbers

    Children’s Education at Risk by Cutting Teacher Numbers

    Children’s Education at Risk by Cutting Teacher Numbers

    As Scottish Councils are setting education budgets for 2024-2025 the SSTA is receiving reports of education cuts with teachers and educational support staff numbers being reduced.

    Seamus Searson SSTA General Secretary said:

    “It’s that time of the year again. Teachers are tired of being used as a ‘political football’ in the funding battle with the Scottish Government. The Councils have used this tactic in previous years to force money from the Government. This was also a tactic used 2023 in allowing the continuation of the first teacher strike in 40 years. Councils are threatening to reduce the number of teachers at a time when more are needed. I hope the Scottish Government do not call the councils’ bluff”.

    “Teachers have been dealing with years of reduction in education funding at school level without the prospect of real investment in education. Something needs to change to ensure our children get the best opportunities at school and cutting teachers is not the answer”.

    Stuart Hunter SSTA President said:

    “Once again, teachers and students suffer the fallout from a tripartite system that is no longer fit for purpose.  The news is that Glasgow has told teacher unions that it proposes to reduce teacher numbers by changing pupil-teacher ratio as a response to the Scottish government council tax freeze”.

    “Whilst the local authority and the Scottish Government flex their muscles in a playground standoff, the teaching profession and the students have become the weaponised instrument of their political bickering. Teachers are already past breaking point because of a toxic workload. To reduce the number of teachers will only exacerbate an already failing system that requires considerable amounts of free overtime to ensure that our children are given the best education possible.  

    “The playground tantrums borne out of political grandstanding creates harmful fallout for teachers and students alike. These antics will only see the attainment gap widen to the detriment of our students and impact on their future life choices. Therefore, my message to you is grow up, show a little maturity and work together for the sake of education in Scotland”.

  • SSTA Mobile Phone Survey

    SSTA Mobile Phone Survey

    The SSTA has taken a stance to support teachers to use their own discretion when it comes to the use of mobile phones in their classes. The reason for this position was due to the poor access to computers, mobile devices and connectivity to the internet (WiFi). Over the past few years there has been growing concern that the use of mobile phones is impacting on pupils learning, their health and wellbeing and behaviour.

    The OECD  United Nations has warned of the risks of smartphones in schools, stating “only technology that supports learning” is merited in schools. Mobile devices can cause distraction, risk pupil privacy and lead to cyber-bullying says UNESCO, the UN’s education, science and culture agency. (Reported 26 July 2023)

    The Dutch Minister for Education, Culture and Science, Robbert Dijkgraaf, announced that, in order to limit potential distractions for students, mobile phones and other smart devices will no longer be permitted in classrooms in schools in the Netherlands from 1 January 2024. (Reported 6 Jul 2023)

    A crackdown on the use of mobile phones in Scottish schools is being considered amid growing concerns that they disrupt learning and affect brain development. Jenny Gilruth, the Scottish Education Secretary, is “very interested” in a UN report that recommended a ban. She told ‘The Times’ that she would consider ordering research into the effect that stricter phone policies could have on education. This could include looking at the effect of locking devices away for the day in secure boxes. (Times 4 September 2023)

    From a recent report on behaviour in Scottish schools, ‘the abusive use of mobile phones and digital technologies was one of the most frequently experienced serious disruptive behaviours among secondary staff,’(Behaviour in Scottish Schools 2023, Scottish Government, November 2023)

    An email has been sent to members with a link to the mobile phone survey. To allow the SSTA to take forward our members concerns, we would be grateful if you could take time to complete this survey. It will help to inform our position on the use of mobile phones in schools

    Thank you for taking time to complete the survey and your ongoing support.

  • SSTA Newsletter – December 2023

    SSTA Newsletter – December 2023

    The December 2023 Newsletter is now available for members to download.

    SSTA Newsletter – December 2023

    The newsletter contains information on the following items:

    • Message from the President  
    • Notification of the Election of General Treasurer
    • SNCT Pay 2024-2025
    • 2024 Subscription Fees
    • Dignity and Respect at Work
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI).
    • Advice for Probationer Teachers
    • Salary Scales
  • Member Bulletin – November 2023

    Member Bulletin – November 2023

    Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research

    The Scottish Centre for Social Research published the latest ‘Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research (BISSR’) following a seven-year gap due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The research in 2023 explored the headteachers’, teachers’ and support staff members’ views of relationships and behaviour in publicly funded mainstream schools, as well as the views of key local authority representatives across Scotland. The research project can be found here.  
     
    The SSTA believes that Covid-19 highlighted the increased difficulties that teachers were experiencing before the pandemic and the findings of the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research 2023 will add to the SSTA pupil behaviour survey. The SSTA survey highlighted the lack of reporting of incidents and the need for more support for teachers in schools.
     
    The report states “school staff and LA representatives identified underlying reasons for these changes in behaviour, including a perceived lack of consequences for pupils who engage in serious disruptive behaviour, and a lack of support for pupils with additional support needs”. The SSTA is hopeful that the surveys together with the Cabinet Secretary’s pupil behaviour summits, that a rebalancing of the system will occur and an acceptance that what is happening in schools cannot continue.
     
     
    Education Bill Consultation
     
    The SSTA has welcomed the decision by the Cabinet Secretary to take further time to consider education reform to allow teacher engagement on a programme of change that is thoroughly considered and will give a degree of certainty to teachers, pupils, and parents in the future. The SSTA will be making representations with the Scottish Government at various forums but would like to encourage members to be aware of the consulations.
     
    The Scottish Government launched a consultation on the Education Bill to seek further views on a new qualifications body to replace the SQA, along with views on changes to education inspection in Scotland. The consultation will close on Monday 18 December.
     
    The reason for establishing a new qualifications body is to ensure that qualifications consistently meet the needs and expectations of their users, the education system, employers and everyone with a stake in qualifications and awards. The new body should involve pupils and students, the teaching professions, and wider stakeholders in its decision making, and it should be accountable and transparent through robust governance arrangements. 
     
    The consultation is also an opportunity to help inform decisions on the most effective approach for reforming education inspection, including the role that any new legislation could play. The Scottish Government are specifically seeking further views on the range of establishments and services subject to inspection; the purpose and priorities for improvement of inspection; and the different possible legislative and non-legislative reform measures that can be taken to address the priority issues.
     
    More information, and the consultation, can be found on the link below.


    SSTA Academic Diary

    We recently emailed members to inform them that we are transitioning to an opt-in system for the SSTA academic diary in an effort to reduce wastage and cut costs.  Starting from 2024, we will no longer automatically distribute the SSTA academic diary to all members. Instead, we kindly request that you indicate your preference to receive an academic diary by opting in. By doing so, you will help us minimize the environmental impact of producing and distributing unused diaries, as well as reduce expenses for the Association.
     
    If you do not wish to receive an SSTA academic diary, you do not need to take any action.  If you do wish to receive an SSTA academic diary, please follow these simple steps to opt-in:

    • Click on the following link to access the opt-in form: Opt-In Form
    • Fill out the form and confirm your preference for receiving an academic diary.
    • Click “Submit” to confirm your choice.

    The 2024/25 SSTA academic diaries will be distributed to members in May 2024 to those who have expressed their preference to receive one.

  • Education Cuts by Stealth are Hurting Children and Teachers

    Education Cuts by Stealth are Hurting Children and Teachers

    Seamus Searson SSTA General Secretary said.

    “Many local authorities have embarked upon a campaign of education cuts by removing education support staff in schools or not replacing them when they leave. This leaves an additional burden upon the teachers in schools who are expected to cover the work of the staff who are no longer there. Education support staff were appointed for essential educational purposes to remove this vital support by stealth is to fail the children and classroom teachers. Unfortunately, it does not end there we are hearing of local authorities delaying or refusing to employ supply teachers to cover gaps left when teachers have moved to another post, go on maternity leave and to cover sick teachers. We are told there is a shortage of teachers, yet we are told by our supply teachers they are not getting appointed to council supply registers and are unable to get regular work. This all puts more pressure on the teachers left behind and it is no wonder we hear that teachers are looking to leave that will only be to the detriment of our children in schools now”.

    “The most important part of a schoolteachers’ job is teaching their classes and ensuring that every child’s learning improves. If you ask any teacher ‘what is the best part of being a teacher?’ they would all say that being in the class teaching their pupils. Teachers are leaving the profession due to the ever-increasing pressures from outside the classroom to produce paper and statistics for headteachers, parents, Council Officers, Education Scotland Inspectors, and the Scottish Government. All this so these bodies can prove that they are doing their job. Not at any stage does anyone ask, ‘Is this a good use of teacher time and does this improve teaching and learning?’

    “The local councils must value and protect teachers, this underhand way of saving money is disrespectful to teachers and the children they teach. Unfortunately, the local authorities saw the recent teacher industrial action and the failure to delay or not replace teacher vacancies, teachers on maternity leave or on sick leave as valuable money saving exercises.”  

    Glasgow Council is a good example where it removed all their attendance officers when pupil absences were increasing with the expectation that teachers would just cover the work. A Glasgow SSTA member said.

    “.. the responsibility of pupil attendance, the bureaucracy and ‘paper trail for paper trail’s sake’ has just landed with the teacher and is getting beyond a joke. We are being made accountable for every child’s attendance and this work expected on top of our classes/remits/curriculum etc. There is a lack of time, resources, education support staff, a lack of mental health care, for us but we are being made to create reams of paperwork – in the knowledge that nothing will come of it. We are expected to take on every job that Glasgow Council has taken away. We are to become Educational Psychologists (we have to do all their paperwork, even though we are not qualified to analyse it), School Nurse, Attendance Officer, Social Worker, etc. I am sad to say this is pushing me away from a job I love but for my own well-being I will be looking away from teaching”.

    Stuart Hunter SSTA President said.

    “Teacher’s time is finite, yet tasks placed upon them are taking them further and further away from teaching and learning. Teachers must be instructed to focus upon the most important task of teaching children. All these additional tasks and duties must be placed against a very simple criterion ‘Will this task enhance my teaching?’ If not, it should be left undone or if it is important, undertaken by ‘someone else’.  Unfortunately, the someone else in schools has nearly all but disappeared. Local authorities have been forced into saving money over several years. However, choosing to save money by failing to replace Education Support staff is a clear choice by Local Authorities to place the additional burden on all the teachers left behind, taking them further away from the core job of teaching and learning. The SSTA says Let Teachers Teach and the children will be the winners”.

    “The demands placed upon teachers is excessive and teachers need to protect themselves from being worn down and bunt out. The SSTA advises all members to focus on teaching and learning and not to take on tasks that do not require the skills and expertise of a teacher. The SSTA is always ready to support members from bureaucratic burdens to reduce workload and recognise the most important task of teaching”.

    [ENDS]

    26 October 2023

  • SSTA Member Bulletin – October 2023

    SSTA Member Bulletin – October 2023

    Hayward Review

    The Independent Review Group led by Professor Louise Hayward published the final report ‘Our Future: Report of the Review of Qualifications and Assessment’ in June 2023. Recommendations in this report centre around a reduction of national qualifications and the introduction of a Scottish Diploma of Achievement (SDA) in the Senior Phase and with three mandatory elements: Personal Pathway, Programmes of Learning and Project Learning. 

    The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills has committed to taking views from the teaching profession on these proposals before publishing a Scottish Government response later this year. The Scottish Government is keen to hear views from teaching staff and the consultation closes at 5.00pm Tuesday 31 October.
    Professor Hayward Recommendations – What do you think? (smartsurvey.co.uk)
     

    Teacher Pension – SPPA Remedy Special Newsletter
    Many members attended our recent in-person and virtual briefings and will be aware of the changes to the teachers’ pensions scheme. The major focus has been the ‘remedy’ for scheme members impacted by age discrimination created by the Government in 2015. The SPPA has released a special newsletter to provide further information on how 2015 Remedy is being implemented and what members can expect. 
    SPPA September Employer Newsletter – Teachers (campaign-archive.com)

    A recording of the pensions presentation from the virtual briefing is available on the SSTA website – Teachers Pension Scheme Presentation – September 2023
     

    Return to Work Meetings
    Members returning to work after a period of sickness are sometimes required to attend a ‘return to work’ meeting. Members can be accompanied by the school representative at these meetings. The meeting should be a two-way conversation about how you are, any support you may need at work to ensure a successful return and an updating of any changes that have happened in school while you were absent. 

    The school representative is there to give moral support – so member or colleague does not feel alone – and to act as a witness to what is being said. To seek clarification if what is being said is unclear. To help ensure that the meeting only deals with the agenda items. 
    The school representative at this stage is not representing the member or colleague and therefore cannot speak on their behalf.
     

    Teachers ‘Off Sick’
    We are being increasingly alerted by members that are being required to provide work, complete assessments and write reports whilst ‘off sick’.

    While a member is ‘off sick’ they have no obligation to provide work for classes and should not be contacted about work issues, including contact from any pupils. The only contact should be about ongoing health, any support that can be offered and likely return to work dates. In addition, any WhatsApp groups about work issues should be ignored until fit to return.
     

    Statement of Fitness for Work – Fit Notes
    The Statement of Fitness for Work, commonly known as the ‘fit note’ is used to record details of the functional effects of employee’s health condition. The fit note should allow the employer and employee to discuss the employee’s health condition and consider ways to help them stay in, or return to, work.

    Fit notes may be issued by doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and physiotherapists. The law requires one of these healthcare professionals to undertake an assessment, either through a face to face, video call, telephone consultation or through considering a written report by another healthcare professional, to complete a fit note.

    People can only be given a fit note if their healthcare professional considers their fitness for work is impaired. If someone is considered fit for work, they will not be given a fit note. The employee does not require a ‘fit for work’ fit note if their fitness for work is not impacted.

    Employees can self-certify for the first 7 calendar days of their sickness absence, which includes weekends and bank holidays. If your employer requires medical evidence for the first 7 days of sickness absence, the healthcare professional may charge a fee, and this cost should be covered by the employer.

    See the new Government guidance on fit notes 
     

    SSTA Membership – Recruit a Colleague
    All members are encouraged to recruit a colleague to join the SSTA. SSTA membership is unique in that it offers direct access to a senior official for advice and support. No other teacher union provides this service. The SSTA is the only trade union that offers this access to all members and remember the SSTA is the only teacher union that speaks only for Scottish Secondary Teachers.

    • NQTs – Free until January 2025 (qualified 2023)
    • New Teachers – Free and 30% (70% off) in 2024 (qualified 2022)
    • New members – 50% for 12 months
    • Part-Time – 50% for all part-timers (£8.38 per month)
  • Cornmarket Protect

    Cornmarket Protect

    We are delighted to let you know that today sees the launch of Cornmarket Protect for our members.

    Using the combined buying power of the SSTA and Cornmarket we have been able to bring you a range of insurance cover for you and your family which includes:

    Top clas Cover for you and your family Worldwide Travel Policy Family Motor Breadown Cover (UK and Europe Mobile Phone Cover - member & Partner Legal Expenses Including ID Theft Protection Included GP24 Family Support24 Family

    What’s more, you can have all of this cover for only £22* per month!  To find out more click on the video below

    YouTube thumbnailYouTube icon

    Don’t delay, click on the button below and start saving with Cornmarket Protect today! 

    Click here to apply today

    *For individuals up to the age of 70 .

  • INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY OTHER TRADE UNIONS

    INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY OTHER TRADE UNIONS

    The SSTA has been advised that there will be industrial action by education support staff unions next week in many local authorities. It is unlawful for any member of the SSTA to take industrial action where the SSTA has not given specific notice to the employer advising that action will be taken.
     
    Where members of another STUC-affiliated trade union are involved in industrial action, SSTA members should:

    • report for work as normal
    • set appropriate work for classes timetabled for the day
    • not accept any variation to their contracted duties and/or undertake duties or other responsibilities of those involved in the strike
    • regard time gained on the day as additional planning, preparation and correction time, NOT as additional ‘Collegiate’ time

    Should the decision be taken to close the school, staff not involved in strike action should report to work or remain at home if directed by the headteacher. If the school closes SSTA members should not suffer any salary deduction. Members who have unexpected caring responsibilities because of the planned industrial action should be encouraged to work from home.

    Picket lines

    Where a union taking strike action establishes a picket line, refusal to cross it would render a teacher who is not a member of a union taking strike action liable to disciplinary action, including the deduction of salary, as it would be considered as participating in unlawful industrial action.

    The single exception to this is where there are genuine grounds to believe that crossing the picket line would put the person concerned at risk of injury. In these circumstances, SSTA members should contact the headteacher, an appropriate senior person in the school or an appropriate person in the employing authority, if the headteacher is not available.

    They should also contact SSTA Head Office to advise what has taken place and to seek further advice or support. Members are asked to stop and listen politely to any case made then cross the picket line having assured those picketing that they will not undertake work those on strike would normally have carried out.

    Please note: SSTA is NOT taking industrial action and any change to the working practices may be seen as an attempt to undermine the lawful industrial action of our colleagues in other trade unions.

    “Time and Place” on Days of Industrial Action by Other Unions

    There have been suggestions from certain authorities that they are entitled to suspend the terms of the Handbook of Conditions in relation to “Time and Place” (T&P) on a day when pupils are not in school because of industrial action by non-teaching unions. The Association rejects this view and advises members as follows.

    The right to T&P is contained in paragraph 3.7 of Part 2 of the Handbook. It is not subject to suspension at the whim of the employer.

    Any teacher who might have been able to make use of the T&P arrangement on a normal teaching day may continue to do so (but subject to the caveats below). It is not the case that the teacher can maintain that the whole day is subject to T&P in such circumstances. It is only the time that the teacher would normally have T&P available which can be used. This point is most important: the Association makes use of the “normal day” argument in other cases to the benefit of members (and hence must accept the concept in this instance).

    However, there is an important caveat. We are party to an agreement that we work in a collegiate environment. The pattern of a working day when pupils do not attend is well established. There are additional Departmental Meetings, whole staff meetings, work in departments, development work etc. If a teacher were to use the T&P arrangement during the time which might otherwise be used for a whole staff meeting, the point of having the meeting is lost: some teachers might not attend. In such circumstances, a negotiated agreement as to the use of the day is quite permissible. It might be noted that on such days staff very generally leave early by agreement (which might be regarded as a transferred T&P arrangement).

    It is essential that any such arrangement is agreed and not imposed. The agreement might be at LNCT, JCC or at appropriate meeting at school level (SNC etc).

     If there is any attempt to impose a “suspension” of T&P, members should immediately submit a grievance (which might be collective). The General Secretary would advise on this. In such cases, we maintain the status quo arrangement viz we revert to the conditions applying prior to the dispute and hence members can use T&P subject to the above advice. It is all the more important therefore for any authority or headteacher to negotiate on the matter well before the day in question. The Association notes that anything else (including an attempt to impose a suspension) would be a significant violation of the collegiality concept which would rightly cause members to withdraw co-operation in a significant number of areas.
     
    Further advice can be obtained from the SSTA Head Office

  • SSTA Members Briefings – September 2023

    SSTA Members Briefings – September 2023

    The SSTA has arranged a series of in-person members briefings in September.
     
    Seamus Searson the SSTA General Secretary would like to meet with SSTA members to discuss the issues that face secondary teachers.  This will include the Qualifications and Assessment Review, the Pupil Behaviour Summit and Teacher Health and Wellbeing. This is your opportunity to have your say.
     
    Stuart McCullough, Independent Financial Adviser from L-life Ltd will also be giving a presentation on the changes to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. This will concentrate on “The Remedy” and the impact that the Sergeant and McCloud court case has had on your pension benefits, the choices that you will have to make and when you will have to make them. Stuart will also provide a demonstration on how to use the Remedy Calculator on the SPPA website to help you calculate your expected pension benefits.

    The briefings will start at 5.00pm and will be repeated at 7.00pm on each date.

    LocationVenueDate
    Dundee Invercarse Hotel05 September 2023
    Aberdeen The Station Hotel06 September 2023
    Inverness Leonardo Hotel07 September 2023
    Edinburgh SSTA Headquarters12 September 2023
    Glasgow DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central13 September 2023
    Ayr Mercure Ayr Hotel19 September 2023

    Please visit the Events page on the SSTA website and select the briefing you would like to attend and complete the registration form to book your place.

  • CORNMARKET INSURANCE SERVICES

    CORNMARKET INSURANCE SERVICES

    We are pleased to announce that the SSTA has reached an agreement with Cornmarket Insurance Services to be our general insurance provider. The SSTA has been seeking a provider that would be able to provide a comprehensive beneficial service to members. Cornmarket has worked alongside other teacher unions and prides itself on the level of service it provides for individual teachers.

    If you are looking for car, home, motorbike or travel insurance, we would encourage you to make contact with Cornmarket as a good place to start. As an introductory offer, you can be entered into a competition to win a Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam by registering your insurance policy renewal date(s) before the end of August 2023.

    Futher information on Cornmarket and the introductory offer can be downloaded as PDF. Don’t miss out on this new service and any other exclusive offers that members can avail of.

    Win the Nexbase 622G Dash Cam!

    Cornmarket Insurance Services have been looking after the general insurance needs of educational professionals for over 30 years. The SSTA have recently appointed Cornmarket as our official insurance partner so that you can benefit from the offers and range of insurance policies for your car, home, motorbike, GAP and travel needs.

    Visit the Cornmarket website to view the products available and get a quote.

    Cornmarket Car Insurance