SSTA News
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SPPA Consultation on draft regulations
Consultation on draft regulations to implement the new Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme with effect from 1 April 2015 The above consultation is available to view on the SPPA website and runs from 20 December 2013 to 16 February 2014. Comments can be made on-line by completing the questionnaire or by completing the printable consultation form…
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LGBT Curriculum Awareness
Today the SSTA welcomed Scottish Government’s invitation to it to set in motion a combined Action Plan to raise the awareness of the need to support LGBT young people in Scottish Schools. In particular, the SSTA would propose a partnership arrangement with groups representing LGBT young people, Education Scotland, GTCS and all teacher unions to…
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School Visits in Scotland
The SSTA today called for Scottish Government to provide specific funding to encourage schools to have a co-ordinated programme of school visits to places of Scottish cultural and historical interest. Alan McKenzie Acting General Secretary, said today “Many schools do this on a regular basis but rely on parents agreeing to meet the whole cost. …
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School Closure and Adverse Weather
Given the recent adverse weather conditions the SSTA calls on Scottish Government, local authority employers and independent school management to make careful scrutiny of their policies on adverse weather. Such scrutiny should involve answering the key question of what circumstances merit the closure of schools on the basis of “better safe than sorry”. Alan McKenzie,…
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SCOTLAND’S TEACHING UNIONS URGE CAUTION ON JUDGING PISA RESULTS
Scotland’s two largest teaching unions, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) have noted today’s publication of PISA testing data but urged caution in how this data is viewed. Both unions believe that, while the PISA data offers some interesting areas for debate, its worth in measuring the value…
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STUC St Andrew’s Day Anti Racism March and Rally
Members will be aware of the cancellation of this due to the tragic accident in Glasgow on Friday night. The President wishes nevertheless, to thank those members who indicated their intention to participate. Full details of the March can be found on the STUC website
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Delay to new Higher exams
Delay to new Higher exams The SSTA welcomes the announcement of a delay to the roll out of the New Higher. Alan McKenzie, Acting General Secretary, stated “There is no doubt that our position on the requirement for delay is vindicated and it would be reassuring to know that when our members report difficulties in…
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Use of Mobile Technology in Schools
Members should be aware of the recent guidelines from Scottish Government on Developing Policies to Promote Safe and Responsible Use of Mobile Technology in Schools. The guidance can be downloaded from the Scottish Government’s website using the link below. Guidance on Developing Policies to Promote Safe and Responsible Use of Mobile Technology in Schools
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CfE Working Group on Tackling Bureaucracy – Final Report
The Working Group set up to tackle concerns over unnecessary bureaucracy around the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence has released its Final Report and recommended a series of actions. The SSTA welcomes the Report as a genuine attempt to address one of the problems of CfE. It contains a practical and common sense set of…
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CfE Working Group Report on Tackling Bureaucracy
The SSTA welcomes the Report on Tackling Bureaucracy as a genuine attempt to address one of the problems of CfE. It contains a practical and common sense set of recommendations that will be welcomed by hard pressed teachers. Alan McKenzie, Acting General Secretary, said “We need more pragmatism of this kind conferring realistic advice to…