The SSTA has concerns over the exam burden and the impact on pupil well-being if the current national qualification system is allowed to continue for a further year. The proposed changes for National 5 will not take place until the 2017-2018 session. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “the SSTA is acutely aware of the workload pressures associated with the National Qualifications but we are extremely concerned about the potential damage to our young people as the pressure intensifies at…
‘Put pupils first – give teachers time to teach!’
Press Release Put pupils first – give teachers time to teach! The SSTA begins the first phase of its industrial action on Monday 24 October to bring about a reduction in teacher workload. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said, “The title of our campaign is very important to our members. Our concern about the young people we teach is as important our concern for teaching and tackling the teacher workload burden.” “SSTA members have been campaigning for a number of…
91% Vote in Favour of Industrial Action
The SSTA Ballot for Industrial ‘Action Short of Strike Action’ returned a very large vote in favour to take action to reduce teacher workload. The Ballot closed on Friday (30 September 2106) and the SSTA National Council at its meeting on Saturday authorised the start of Industrial Action on Monday 24 October 2016. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said, “The ballot has shown the strength of feeling and determination of secondary school teachers to address the workload demands that distract…
SSTA Challenges Chief Inspector’s statement on reducing teacher workload
The SSTA conducted a survey of members following the publication on 29 August 2016 of Education Scotland’s “Curriculum for Excellence: A Statement for Practitioners from HM Chief Inspector of Education” document. Seamus Searson SSTA General Secretary said “the Chief Inspector’s Statement to Teachers on addressing teacher workload has been widely rejected by secondary school teachers across Scotland”. In response to the survey, 68% of SSTA members said the advice would not have an impact in reducing teacher workload. A further…
Ballot for Industrial Action to Begin
SSTA National Executive has set the date for the start of the formal postal ballot for Industrial Action on reducing Teacher Workload. The Ballot will commence on the 14 September and close on 30 September. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “the National Executive is very much aware of the efforts of the Deputy First Minister to address Teacher Workload and promote Teacher Professional Judgement but Teacher Workload needs to be reduced in the current session”. “The SSTA wishes to…
Young People Need Support in Schools in Dealing with LGBTI Issues
The SSTA urges the Scottish Government to ensure priority is given to supporting young people, particularly those under the age of 16, in all school environments in dealing with the whole spectrum of LGBTI issues and of gender recognition including that of non-binary. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “LGBT rights have been increasingly strengthened, supported by legislation and increasingly recognised and supported in society. Discrimination protections were extended to all, including LGBT people under the Equality Act 2010. Transgender people have had…
SSTA moves to Industrial Action Ballot to cut Teacher Workload
The SSTA National Executive has sanctioned a formal ballot for Industrial Action to cut teacher workload. The National Executive considered the recent SSTA Indicative Ballot and are of the view that it had no option but to move to a formal ballot to protect its members. The Indicative Ballot showed that members were unhappy with the current proposals, with 91% of respondents prepared take industrial action short of strike action and 64% prepared to take strike action if necessary. Seamus…
SSTA prepared to take action to cut Teacher Workload
The SSTA has completed an Indicative Ballot of its members to assess the measures proposed by the Government to reduce teacher workload with a focus on the assessment required for National Qualifications. This was in response to SSTA members across Scotland asking for some action to be taken to address the workload that is demoralising teachers in the current qualification cycle. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “the ballot clearly shows that members are unhappy with the current proposals with…
PRESS RELEASE - EDINBURGH SCHOOLS
The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, Scotland's only specialist union for secondary teachers, expressed its concern today regarding the temporary closure of 5 Edinburgh Private Public Partnership (PPP) secondary schools. General Secretary Seamus Searson said, "For young people due to start sitting national exams in a matter of days, the timing could hardly be worse. Edinburgh City Council and the building contractors have known about these structural problems since walls started collapsing in January, yet it is only now that proper…
Press Release - SSTA to Ballot Members on Bureaucratic Qualifications
The SSTA National Council has sanctioned an Indicative Ballot of members on the Government’s Assessment and National Qualification working group report due at the end of March. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “the situation that many teachers face in schools today in trying to do the best for their young people is intolerable. SSTA has welcomed the acknowledgement that there are problems and possible measures for the future are being prepared but workload needs to be reduced now”. “The…
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