SQA Archives - Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association

Secondary Teachers Tell SQA To Think Again

The SSTA conducted a survey of members delivering national qualifications following the SQA announcement that National Qualifications course assessments in session 2023-24 will return to full requirements – including reinstating coursework and exam assessment and the National 4 added value unit. The majority of SSTA members are opposed to the change with only 19% wanting a return to the pre-pandemic arrangements. Seamus Searson, General Secretary said “The SSTA survey has shown that SQA must go back and reconsider its decision…

SQA 2024 – 90% of Teachers say their Pupils are not ready

Following the SQA announcement that National Qualifications course assessments in session 2023-24 will return to full requirements – including reinstating coursework and exam assessment and the National 4 added value unit - the SSTA sought views of members. In responding to the survey, secondary teachers who are delivering national qualifications were clearly opposed to a full return. More than 2,000 members have responded in a week with the survey closing on Friday. Seamus Searson, General Secretary said.“The initial results indicate that…

Information for Members / SQA - 04/26/2023

Message to Members 1 April 2022

Teachers’ Pay Offer for 2021-2022 - Accepted The SSTA attended a meeting of the SNCT Teachers’ Side (31 March) where constituent parties confirmed their view on the revised 2022 pay offer. All parties stated their union’s position and SSTA representatives followed the view taken by members (SSTA members had voted 71.6% rejected) against accepting the pay offer. However, the SNCT Teachers’ Side voted to accept and the SSTA is bound by the collective decision reluctantly to accept. The SNCT Teachers’ Side confirmed…

Conditions of Service / Information for Members / SQA - 04/01/2022

SSTA Members Update – Pay, SQA and Covid

Teachers’ Pay 2021-2022. The story so far……. In the autumn of 2020 the SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee submitted a claim to the SNCT Teachers’ Side for a restorative pay award that promoted the retention and recruitment of teachers. This was expected to be paid to teachers on 1 April 2021. In December 2020 the SNCT Teachers’ Side agreed the following pay claim that would be paid to all teachers without differentiation: “A range of 3%-5% is the…

Conditions of Service / COVID-19 / Information for Members / SQA - 03/14/2022

SSTA Members Bulletin – 11 June 2021

Printable PDF School Teacher Pay 2021The SNCT Extended Joint Chairs met on Monday 7 June but COSLA were not prepared to make an improved offer. COSLA said the reason for the lack of progress was that it is awaiting discussion on local government funding with Cabinet Secretary Kate Forbes and Shona Robison. The further discussions on finance between COSLA and Scottish Government are deemed necessary before there can be any reconsideration of the terms of the pay offer. The Teachers’ Side…

Bulletin / Conditions of Service / Information for Members / SQA - 06/11/2021

SSTA Survey - Alternative Certification Model (ACM) – May 2021

The SSTA conducted a survey in response to the high numbers of members raising concerns regarding the Alternative Certification Model (ACM) and its impact on teachers and their pupils.Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said“The SSTA received 1711 responses which gave a clear indication of the difficulties teachers and pupils are facing in trying to deliver the ACM.“The SQA is in its ‘own world’, oblivious to the real situation in schools. It has shown little understanding of the situation in schools…

Information for Members / Press Releases / SQA / Workload - 05/28/2021

SSTA Response to SQA Appeals Consultation

The SSTA Education Committee met on 17 March 2021 to discuss and agree a collective response to the SQA’s 2021 NQ Appeals Process Consultation on behalf of SSTA members. You can view the SSTA Response here. SSTA members are, of course, still able to respond individually at https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/96506.html. In making its response the Committee was mindful of: Teacher workloadFairness to learnersMaintaining confidence in National QualificationsThe importance of good, clear communication The response was uploaded to https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/96506.html at 0915 on 18 March 2021.

Consultations / Information for Members / SQA - 03/18/2021