President's Address Peebles Hotel Hydro 7 May 2010 It's been thirteen years since an SSTA Congress coincided with a UK General election. The result then was rather different from the one we face today of course. But, whatever judgement History finally makes on the events of the last thirteen years, there are one or two lessons for us as trade unionists and of course not a few consequences also. For obvious political reasons, none of the party leaders have been…
SSTA Position on CfE Not Changed
Dear Colleagues SSTA POSITION ON CfE NOT CHANGED You will know by now that the Management Board have recommended not to delay implementation of CfE in secondary schools after assurances from the Cabinet Secretary. Our representative on the Board (Peter Wright) decided he had no choice but to accept the Cabinet Secretary's assurances after Michael Russell stated he was "absolutely committed to make sure the problems are solved". At its meeting on Friday 24 April Executive reaffirmed its continued demands…
Bulletin no 417/10 - 17 March 2010
1. CfE Survey The Association is conducting a survey to ascertain your views on CfE using fair and unbiased questions. Your school rep has been sent paper copies and an electronic copy can be completed online via the SSTA website. Please use one of these to enable the Association to represent your views to the Cabinet Secretary, and campaign for the best possible outcome for secondary teachers in Scotland. If you do not respond it will be assumed that…
CfE Survey
Curriculum for Excellence Questionnaire In January an SSTA delegation met with the Cabinet Secretary, Mike Russell to discuss our concerns about progress with Curriculum for Excellence. During the course of the discussion the Cabinet Secretary stated that he was aware of the need for more detailed information within the secondary sector. Our view on this is very clear. Only subject specialists, working in classrooms across Scotland are in a position to provide a considered professional opinion on the readiness of…
Workload Survey 2009/10
As part of a campaign to reduce the excess workload imposed on teachers the SSTA is collecting evidence through a workload survey. Part 2 of the survey can be found here. We would appreciate if members could complete the form and return it to the Association at our freepost address noted below. Alternatively, you can complete an online version of the form here on our website. (Please note that you will be required to login to the site to compete…
Letter to School Representatives
Dear Colleagues Please accept my apologies for adding to your workload at an already very busy time of year. I hope you will find the content of the letter both informative and helpful. As always please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish further information or support. Many of you will have been aware of the problems faced by a teacher in Glasgow who was injured at work. The response of her employer…
SSTA Temperature/ Humidity Campaign
As you will know concerns relating to classroom temperatures/humidity are an annual problem. Some rooms are always too cold in winter and some are too hot in summer. It has become clear, given the current financial climate that some councils/schools have reduced the ambient temperatures as an efficiency saving. The Association is supplying schools with one Digitech temperature/humidity meter to aid members to monitor/record the temperature/humidity in their classroom. Members who wish to record the temperatures of their classroom should…
Bulletin No 416/09 14 December 2009
1. REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT In an effort to reduce our Carbon Footprint the Association intends to use email for communication when practicable. If you are willing to participate in this Carbon Footprint reduction please email the office info@ssta.org.uk with your name and email address. 2. SUBSCRIPTIONS The Association is pleased to report that Subscriptions for 2010 will remain at the 2009 level of £163.90 for all members who pay this fee by 31 January 2010. This reduced tariff includes…
TEACHER UNION CRITICISES NEW EXAM ARRANGEMENTS AND LACK OF FUNDING
The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association representing 8500 teachers in Scotland's secondary schools today attacked proposals for the arrangements for the new examinations to replace the current Standard Grades. In a message to members, Ann Ballinger, General Secretary of the SSTA criticised the current proposals for the assessment mechanisms. "Members of the SSTA at their recent Council meeting passed a motion demanding that action is taken to prevent the introduction of a two-tier system of assessment which will penalise the least…
TOO MANY ISSUES DEVOLVED TO HEADTEACHERS SAYS TEACHER UNION
The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association today supported complaints made by secondary headteachers in relation to issues now being delegated to them. In a newsletter to members, SSTA General Secretary, Ann Ballinger, attacked local authorities in their approach to the issue. She noted in particular "There seems to be a myth circulating that delegation to "schools" is a good thing. Regrettably no Scottish school ever did anything in the cause of education: the headteachers and staff many do that. The "school"…
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