Members Bulletin - Schools Reopening

The Scottish Government confirmed on 6 April that all secondary school pupils would be back in school on a full time basis after the Easter holidays. The Government published its ‘Guidance for opening schools in April 2021’ Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

This guidance includes:

• Confirmation that a full-time return for secondary schools is on the basis of no physical distancing required between pupils
• School staff and other adults in the school should continue to apply strict 2m distancing when with other adults and with pupils.
• All staff areas and schools must ensure adequate staff facilities in all staff areas with 2 metre physical distancing
• Update on vulnerable and shielding staff to follow medical advice
• Face coverings should now be worn at all times by staff and young people in secondary schools; (including S1-S3 learners) in classrooms, in communal areas and when moving about the school.
• Pupils behaving or acting in a way which doesn’t align with school policy or procedure can be excluded.
• Focus on ventilation and other mitigations
• C02 monitors being provided to schools – mixed picture in local authorities

SSTA Advice

• SAFETY FIRST must be the first priority in all workplaces
• All Risk Assessments including individual risk assessments must be reviewed
• Risk assessments of vulnerable and shielding staff need to be cognisant of their own individual medical practitioner instructions
• All staff must follow all the mitigation measures including 2 metre physical distancing and the wearing of face coverings
• Secondary schools should look to minimise movement of young people and staff when in school.
• Staff numbers working in school buildings should be kept to the minimum required at any one time; all others should continue to work from home

National Qualifications 2021

The Government guidance states

• The priority during the phased return from 15 March, and on immediate return after Easter, should be to maximise learning and teaching time. This will impact on the timing of assessment, which can take place in the later stages of the 2020-21 session.
• SQA has produced subject-specific guidance for a range of qualifications, taking into account disruption to learning this year, that sets out the key evidence required for each course.
• National standards will be applied based on a holistic assessment of this key evidence of demonstrated attainment, to determine provisional results.
• Teachers should use the flexibility to assess learners at times and in ways that are appropriate to their needs in order to manage the assessment burden on young people during the remainder of the academic session.

Additional in-service days and £400

The First Minister’s announced that two additional days will be set aside for assessment procedures, with teachers and lecturers involved in awarding national qualifications this year receiving a one-off payment of £400.

The Government has written to Directors of Education notifying them of the ability to use two additional in-service days for supporting the delivery of the Alternative Certification Model (ACM). They were advised that these days could be deployed flexibly at the discretion of individual Local Authorities.
 
The Government is continuing to work through the exact eligibility criteria, but it appears to be any teacher who is involved in at least one activity of assessing, marking or moderating a National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher course would be eligible for the £400 payment. As this is a payment in respect of additional work associated with the Alternative Certification Model (ACM), and given the time needed to make payroll changes, it is likely that a payment will be in July/August after the conclusion of the centre based element of the ACM.

SSTA Comment

The arrangements for National Qualifications 2021 will create severe workload complications for both pupils and teachers and puts undue pressure in providing evidence to meet the SQA demands.

The use of the two additional in-service days has been left to individual local authorities and appears to be for the purpose of verification and not time for preparation and correction of evidence. The reports we have at present show a wide variance, with some Local Authorities using the dates in early May whilst others are preparing for dates in mid-June. These discrepancies will only add to the pressure on pupils and teachers.

The SSTA believes an over bureaucratic national qualifications process is unachievable and the focus must be on supporting teachers making competent professional judgments and not gathering evidence to replace the teachers’ professional judgement. It is essential that all pupils receive grades that reflect their merits throughout the course.

Members must ensure that Headteachers are made aware of the time necessary to undertake all tasks associated with the national qualifications 2021 at the earliest opportunity. Working Time Agreements will need to be reviewed in light of the demands of the Alternative Certification Model.

The SSTA’s view of the £400 additional payment, despite it being inadequate and not reflective of the work or the expertise required in the process, should be paid to all secondary teachers.


School Teachers’ Pay 2021

The latest meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs took place on 31 March. The employers were unable to make an improved pay offer until a meeting with the Finance Minister had taken place. Although an agreement was made to continue discussions it will be unlikely any progress will be made until after the Scottish Parliament elections in May.
 

Teachers’ Pension Consultation - Increase in age for access to pension

A consultation has been opened by the Government on the increase of the age where pensions can be accessed from 55 to 57 by 6 April 2028. 

The consultation that closes on 22 April 2021 and individuals are able to respond.
 
The SSTA is opposed to the proposed change. The SSTA argues against any further increases applying to the Minimum Pension Age both for existing teachers and new teachers coming into the profession. Once again, the government risks discriminating against new and old members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
 
Should a scheme member exercise their right to retire early, the scheme applies an actuarial adjustment to those benefits to ensure that there is no extra burden on the public purse.
 
See the SSTA response to the Consultation here

School Reopening - 15 March 2021
 
On the 9 March the First Minister confirmed the proposal for the return of secondary school pupils from the 15 March.

• All secondary pupils will return on a part-time basis from 15 March - it is the intention that all secondary school pupils will return to spend some time in school from 15 March until the Easter break.
• It is expected that all secondary school pupils will be back in school on a full time basis after the Easter holidays.

The Government published its guidance for the reopening of schools on 8 March. Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Guidance on arrangements for the phased reopening of schools in March 2021

In addition, Education Scotland produced its guidance for schools ‘Guidance for in-school and remote learning S1 – S6,’ intended to give further assistance to schools:


The SSTA Position

The Government’s plan has created operational problems for schools by trying to accommodate all pupils at some point during the weeks preceding the Easter break. The arrangements for pupil return and managing parental expectations has been left to the schools. This will only add to the pressure on teachers trying to meet pupil needs and ensure good parental communication. The SSTA advises:

 Safety First

• SSTA’s first priority is SAFETY FIRST.
• SSTA School Representatives have been advised to work with members of the school management to devise a work plan this is manageable to ensure that safety of all staff and pupils is not compromised.
• All Risk Assessments including individual risk assessments must be reviewed to ensure that staff are not put at risk (please note all previous risk assessments do not take into account the new variants).
• Vulnerable and shielding staff should be encouraged to work from home and support remote learning.
• Secondary schools should look to minimise movement of young people and staff when in school.
• Staff numbers working in school buildings should be kept to the minimum required; all others should continue to work from home in line with Government advice.

Safety Measures

• Face coverings to be worn at all times by staff and young people in secondary school. SSTA advocates the provision of FFP2 masks for staff and pupils.
• A greater emphasis should be placed on good ventilation. SSTA advocates the use of CO2 monitors and air purification systems where necessary.
• Strict 2 metre distancing to be observed in the school building in secondary schools.

School Priorities

• Vulnerable young people and the children of keyworkers to continue to be supported in school.
• Senior phase students (S4-S6) who are taking national qualifications will have priority for face-to-face lessons in school.
• All secondary pupils will return on a part-time basis from 15 March - it is the intention that all secondary school pupils will return to spend some time in school from 15 March until the Easter break.

Parental Expectations

• Parental expectations need to be managed. The proposed arrangements are not a return to ‘normal’ schooling.
• Parental support is essential to ensure all safety measures are observed by all pupils.
• Councils will decide how to balance safely in-school learning for secondary school learners based on local circumstances and needs.
• Remote learning will be much reduced as a consequence of the proposed school reopening measures.

Teacher Workload

• Members are advised to focus on the pupils they will be asked to teach/supervise in the period before the Easter break.
• ‘Face to Face’ teaching is the priority with ‘Remote Learning’ only being continued if time is available.
• Members should not be expected to continue remote learning if required to be in school teaching or supervising pupils.
• Online livestreaming of classroom lessons must not take place.
• All teachers need a good rest during the Easter break.

School Return after Easter

• The SSTA has a major concern that the Government’s intention for all secondary school pupils to be back in school on a full time basis after the Easter break is an unrealistic expectation.
• This intention will lead to further work being undertaken by school staff during the Easter break in preparation for a full pupil return
• SSTA is of the view that arrangements will need to be the similar to those in place before the Easter break. There should only be a phased increase of pupils when restrictions are eased in the community (for example following the removal of 2 metre physical distancing guidelines).

National Qualifications 2021 and £400

Finally, following the First Minister’s announcement on 16 February that two additional days will be set aside for assessment procedures, with teachers and lecturers involved in awarding national qualifications this year receiving a one-off payment of £400 (pro-rata), no further detail has yet been forthcoming.  Information will be circulated as soon as it is received.

 On the 2 March the First Minister announced proposals for the return of secondary school pupils. The First Minister added that the plans are conditional on continued progress on suppressing coronavirus (COVID-19). The statement included:
 

• All secondary pupils will return on a part-time basis from 15 March - it is the intention that all secondary school pupils will return to spend some time in school from 15 March until the Easter break.
• Councils will decide how to balance safely in-school learning for secondary school learners based on local circumstances and needs.
• Senior phase students (S4-S6) who are taking national qualifications will have priority for face-to-face lessons in school.
• Vulnerable young people and the children of keyworkers to continue to be supported in school
• Remote learning will continue in parallel for all secondary school learners.
• Face coverings to be worn at all times by staff and young people in secondary school.
• A greater emphasis should be placed on good ventilation.
• Strict 2 metre distancing to be observed in the school building in secondary schools.
• Secondary schools should look to minimise movement of young people and staff when in school
• It is expected that all secondary school pupils will be back in school on a full time basis after the Easter holidays.

 
Education Scotland subsequently produced ‘Guidance for in-school and remote learning S1 – S6,’ intended to give further assistance to schools:
 
In addition, the Government is also preparing supplementary ‘Reducing Risks Guidance,’ expected to be published on Monday 8 March.
 
The SSTA Position
 
The First Minister’s statement has created serious operational problems for schools by trying to accommodate all pupils at some point during the weeks preceding the Easter break.
 
The SSTA had been expecting an increase in senior pupils before Easter should there be progress on suppressing the virus. This could be managed if schools were able to ensure all mitigations were in place, such as 2 metre physical distancing, face coverings for all, appropriate ventilation, and the review of all risk assessments, with all vulnerable and shielding staff remaining at home and expected to support remote learning.
 
The arrangements for pupil return and managing parental expectations has been left to the schools. This will only add to the pressure on teachers trying to meet pupil needs and ensure good parental communication. Schools are encouraged to work with trade unions to ensure safety measures are in place to protect both pupils and staff. Timetables and opportunities for pupil engagement need to be realistic and should not add to teacher workload. Parents need to be aware that this is a limited return to face to face engagement and as a consequence there will be a reduction in remote learning provision.
 
In an effort to support members in the preparations for the 15 March the SSTA has arranged an online School Representatives’ Briefing on Monday 8 March at 4.00pm.
 
Further details for the School Reps’ Briefing will be sent separately. If your school does not have a rep please contact the SSTA office for further information by email at info@ssta.org.uk 

It is sensible to take a cautious approach to reopening secondary schools on Monday 22 February but it cannot be a return to a way of working that existed prior to Christmas. Schools were closed in January because we needed to control the virus. We now need to ensure pupils and staff are safe during this staged return. The reopening of secondary schools is a controlled exercise that will be evaluated before further decision will be made. Secondary teachers need to be confident that the Scottish Government has put in place all measures necessary to keep people safe.

The SSTA expects that

• 2 metre physical distancing for all staff and pupils will be enforced in secondary schools
• That all pupils and staff will be required to wear face coverings at all times
• Schools will be given full support to ensure that all pupils follow all the safety guidance
• Pupils who refuse to follow safety guidance cannot be accommodated in school
• All risk assessments are reviewed and additional measures introduced
• Parental expectations need to be managed as teachers in school will not be able to continue to support remote learning.

#SafetyFirst #FollowTheGuidance #ProtectLives