Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association

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Member Bulletin – 7 January 2026

INDUSTRIAL ACTION – MEMBER UPDATE

Online member briefings on the industrial action ballot and the next stages in the campaign to reduce teacher contact time will take place next week. These short sessions will outline the industrial action strategy and explain the measures that would be implemented following a successful ballot. Please reserve your place:

NOT RECEIVED YOUR BALLOT PAPER?

Some members have not yet received their ballot papers for the ballot on Industrial Action. It is essential that any affected members contact the SSTA Office at info@ssta.org.uk, providing their full postal address including postcode, so that a replacement ballot paper can be issued. Only members employed by a Local Authority can take part in the ballot.

Members are reminded to vote YES to both questions and return their ballot paper as soon as possible.

TRAVELLING TO SCHOOL DURING SEVERE WINTER WEATHER

In severe winter weather you may have problems travelling to school. It is important to balance your safety with your employer’s right to expect you to attend work, but safety must always be the most important consideration.  

Members are advised to take the following steps:

  1. Make sure you have a copy of the Local Authority procedure for inclement weather and follow the advice in the document.
  2. Listen to official advice about travel and assess the risks for you.
  3. It is essential that you follow Police Scotland Travel Warnings https://www.traffic.gov.scot/traffic-information/police-travel-warnings
  4. Following reports of severe weather, schools should make decisions on school closures prior to the day. To wait until the day is ‘foolhardy’ and is putting pupils, parents and staff at unnecessary risk.
  5. Check the appropriate website for school closure advice.
  6. If you are unable to use your usual form of transport, contact the school, explain the situation and inform them that you intend to seek an alternative safe method of travel (if necessary, by leaving a message on the answering machine or by email).
  7. If other methods of transport are impossible contact the school again and inform them, you intend to work from home and keep a record of work done.
  8. Contact the office at info@ssta.org.uk  for further advice

Please note: Teachers may be asked to provide work for their classes but are NOT required to teach online.

HEATING – MINIMUM TEMPERATURES

Regulation 23 of the School Premises Regulations Act 1967 and 1973 specifies the following minimum temperatures:

  • 18.5°C for medical inspection rooms, changing rooms, shower rooms and WCs.
  • 16°C for teaching spaces or classrooms.
  • 15.5°C Assembly Hall/ Lecture Hall
  • 13°C in cloakrooms, corridors, and gymnasiums
  • 10°C Games Hall

When temperatures are below these minima, members should act as follows:

  1. Record the time and temperature, preferably with a calibrated thermometer
  2. If the low temperature is first thing in the school day and the heating system is working,
  3. record the time and the temperature and then allow a reasonable time, up to a maximum of one hour, for the temperature to increase.
  4. NB. The law requires minimum temperature to be achieved by the start of the working day
  5. If the temperature still has not reached minimum, or it is so low initially that it would be unreasonable to work in the room while waiting for it to rise, again note the time and temperature and notify management team, by telephone or email, that you require an alternative place to work.
  6. Allow a reasonable time for action to be taken. It is impossible to be more specific, as what is reasonable must depend on the layout of the school and the degree of discomfort.
  7. If after a reasonable period no effective action has been taken, you should cease to work in the room. Take your class to an appropriate place, school offices, foyer etc and ask for instructions from the senior members of staff.
  8. As soon as you can, inform the school representative of your actions.
  9. If there is a general failure of the heating system, it is possible that pupils will be sent home. Note that teaching staff will be required to remain, provided an adequately heated room e.g. a staffroom can be provided.

Please note: Hot water for washing hands must also be provided for the school building to be operational.

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