The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, representing 8500 secondary teachers in Scotland, today criticised the withdrawal of education support from some pupils who are diagnosed as having special education needs and have identified support requirements.

The SSTA General Secretary, Ann Ballinger, today criticised the loss of dedicated auxiliary support from such pupils.

"It is only relatively recently that many of the young people involved lost their principal educational resource when their special school was closed under the guise of "inclusion" which was no more than a cost saving exercise. Only a few years later, the same pupils face a further reduction as many local authorities, again for financial reasons, reduce or withdraw the level of their teaching auxiliary support. Not only do the pupils suffer the obvious deterioration in their education but class teachers now inevitably spending more time with them. The consequence is, of course, a reduction in the amount of time spend with mainstream pupils."

Highlighting the reasons for the financial problems Mrs Ballinger added "Much of the cause is the so called concordat between Central Government and Scottish Local Authorities which has already in other areas been recognised as a barrier to progress. It is now time for the Government to act, insisting that previous support standards (already very minimal in some schools) are retained."

"Authorities are required to implement agreed individual support plans for such pupils. It is pointless to spend so much time in the drawing up of such plans in the full knowledge that the resources required for their implementation do not exist.

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association representing 9000 teachers in Scotland's secondary schools has appointed Ann Ballinger as its new General Secretary. Mrs Ballinger is currently President of the Association. The other candidate for the post was Mr George Sturrock, a Past President of the Association. In a ballot of members conducted during April, Mrs Ballinger received 57% of the votes to Mr Sturrock's 43%. Mrs Ballinger will take up her post in June of this year.

For further information, please contact

Jim Docherty

Acting General Secretary

Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association

West End House

14 West End Place

Edinburgh

EH11 2ED

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, representing 9,000 teachers in Scotland's secondary schools, today attacked the consultation exercise conducted to gauge support for the new examination system proposed for fourth year students in Scottish schools.

0131 313 7300

"The SSTA welcomes the general principles of Curriculum for Excellence and the commitment to a secondary curriculum delivered by subject specialists. However, given the timescale for the publication of the revised "outcome and experiences", the lack of any timetabling models and the current reduction in Continuing Professional Development relating to the introduction of Curriculum for Excellence in many Local Authorities, this Association calls for a delay in the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence.

This would allow for:

• Proper analysis of trialling project

• Central development of teaching materials where required

• Proper planning of interdisciplinary projects

• Decisions to be made about future exam structure before starting to implement courses

and would ensure that the intended first group of pupils would have the best educational experience possible under Curriculum for Excellence."

Speaking after the meeting, SSTA President, Ann Ballinger commented, "The SSTA cannot accept the assertion from the Cabinet Secretary and others that Curriculum for Excellence has widespread support within the teaching profession. This is far from the case, particularly in the secondary sector. One crucial aspect of the CfE proposals is the move to the first three years of secondary education being a period of "General Education", the work completed during these years not being subject to the National Assessment arrangements. This would leave only the fourth year for the initial study of the new "General" National Qualifications. It would be clear that only five subjects would be studied during the fourth year. While additional General level studies might be undertaken during years five and six, the most able students would be undertaking the existing Higher Courses. Effectively at the end of S3, very many of our young people will be making choices which will significantly influence their futures. The SSTA will not accept that this proposal in any way moves Scottish education forward: rather, it is a backward step.

Ms Ballinger continued, "The traditional strength of the Scottish education system in its breadth in the middle stages of secondary is being lost. The new General examination is not yet in existence. The provision of this examination in all subjects and at all necessary levels is crucial. The SSTA does not see this task as being a simple matter of modifying existing courses. The concerns of secondary teachers across Scotland are summed up by the constant use of the terms "vague", "unclear", "detrimental" and "restrictive". It is not too late; we must, however, now have acceptance by all involved that Curriculum for Excellence as it stands at the moment, is not the way forward."

For further information, please contact Jim Docherty, Acting General Secretary

SSTA CONCERNED ABOUT EXPLOITATION OF CLASSROOM ASSISTANTS

SSTA CALLS FOR SCHOOLS TO BE LEADERS IN RENEWABLE ENEGRY

SSTA WARNING ON CHILD SAFETY DANGER

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association today warned that there is a real danger of chaos if the Scottish Parliament does not proceed urgently with the Bill designed to improve child protection (Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scotland) Bill).

“We are becoming increasingly concerned that the Bill will not make sufficient progress to pass into law before the dissolution of Parliament ahead of the election in May” said David Eaglesham, General Secretary.

“It is vital that provision is made urgently to give full protection to all young people and other vulnerable groups, and also that the system of disclosure checks be made manageable for all concerned.”

“Following the evidence we gave to Sir Michael Bichard's Inquiry in 2003, it is clear that existing provisions are inadequate and it is vital that these are upgraded urgently.”

“It is equally true that current requirements for disclosure checks are creating enormous difficulties for many groups and organisations. The need for repeated and multiple checks to be made – up to 14 for an individual – is both slowing down the process and undoubtedly discouraging individuals from working with children in a huge range of activities on a voluntary basis. The system has to be streamlined or many sectors will suffer, not least sports activities. The consequent reduction in these will lead to a generation which is less fit, and to even less chance of success in competitive sports at international level. “

“At the end of the day, we cannot check on every person in the country. If Ian Huntley had been a building worker or bank employee and not a school caretaker, he would not have been disclosure checked under the new system, yet the contact with Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman could still have taken place through Maxine Carr's employment in the school. Vigilance by all those with responsibility for young people remains the best weapon to avoid harm.

Parliament must ensure that the Bill does not run into the sands of time”

Further information fromDavid Eaglesham

General Secretary

SSTA EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT PROGRESS REPORT ON TEACHING

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) has commented on the report published today by HMIe (Schools Inspectors) entitled “Teaching Scotland's Children.” “Whilst we welcome the many positive findings from the report, it contains several simplistic and unwarranted assumptions,” said David Eaglesham, General Secretary of the SSTA. “The report states that the Agreement between Teachers, employers and the

Scottish Executive has been by and large successfully delivered in all of its aspects. Recruitment has improved, there is much greater flexibility in schools, there is a more constructive environment, better CPD exists, and support for new recruits is greatly improved.”

“Where the report fails, however, is in seeking to interpose, retrospectively, standards for pupil attainment, the effect of local restructuring and National Priorities for education as if these were themselves part of what was agreed in 2001. They were not. In this sense the report becomes an attempt to rewrite history and to analyse programs against a revised set of purposes. This is inaccurate and cannot be sustained.”

“The Teachers' Agreement was reached against a background of plummeting morale and deep disenchantment amongst teachers about salaries and conditions. The improvements within the Agreement were primarily intended to address this deficit. None of the parties sought to set future standards by which improvement in education might be addressed. Had this been the case, much detailed work on linkage would have been required and this would have been published at the time.”

"It is clear that standards have improved in our schools and education systems. To what extent this stems from the Teachers' Agreement and the extent of future required improvement are matters of conjecture and not analysis at this stage.”As an Association we are fully committed to the best possible system of education in Scotland and our members are committed to delivering this. If output measures are required, then these need to be agreed in advance amongst the stakeholders and we will be happy to participate in such an exercise within the ‘Curriculum for Excellence.'”

Further information on this release may be obtained from:DAVID EAGLESHAM

General Secretary