The following are the main items from Congress 2006 held in Coylumbridge, Aviemore on 12 and 13 May.

(a) Presidential Address

The President, Albert McKay, addressed Congress on the theme of Supporting Teacher Professionalism. The full text of the Presidential Address can be found on the Association website at https://ssta.org.uk.

(b) General Secretary's Address

The General Secretary, David Eaglesham, addressed Congress on the reform of the role of local government in education. His report in full can be accessed on the Association's website, https://ssta.org.uk.

(c) Life Membership

Life Membership of the Association was conferred on Bill Fitzpatrick, Ayr Area.

(d) Finance Committee

The Report of the Finance Committee and Accounts for 2005 were approved. A copy of the Report and Accounts will be sent to all school representatives with this Bulletin and may be consulted by members. The Financial Statement to 31 December 2005, as required by law, appears later in this Bulletin.

(e) Guests at Congress

The Association's representatives were joined by Peter Peacock, Minister for Education and Young People, guests from the political parties, teacher unions from throughout the UK and oversees and The Highland Council, who generously provided a Civic Reception. The Chief Executive/Registrar of GTCS, Matthew MacIver, addressed Congress in a Keynote Speech and answered questions from delegates.

(f) Motions to Congress

The following motions were approved:

MOTION 1

That this Association continues to express its concern at the establishment of faculty arrangements in secondary schools in Scotland, and consequently demands that the Scottish Executive sets in motion an independent academic review of those arrangements and that the review findings be published widely to all interested parties.

MOTION 2

This Association calls upon the Scottish Executive Education Department to commission an immediate study of the impact of the changing promoted post structures on support for those students undertaking Initial Teacher Education and Probationary Teachers attempting to achieve the Standard for Full Registration.

MOTION 3

This Association expresses concern about the implementation of the Chartered Teacher programme, in particular, its inaccessibility to many teachers because of the self funding requirement.Congress calls on SEED to undertake a review of the programme's implementation to ensure, inter alia, its accessibility to all teachers who wish to consider undertaking it.

MOTION 4

This Association affirms the right of all teachers who acquire statutory employment rights to benefit from all conditions of service which apply to teachers holding full time permanent posts.

MOTION 5

This Association urges all interested parties to ensure that History is retained as a discrete subject in the curriculum offered at all stages within Scottish secondary schools.

MOTION 6

The Association congratulates the Scottish Executive on their proposal to reduce class sizes in English and Maths to 20 in S1-2 and looks forward to their extending this to all subjects.

MOTION 7

This Association condemns funding cuts in schools and the damaging effects of such cuts on learning and teaching.

MOTION 8

This Association urges the Scottish Executive to help tackle the growing rise in obesity and other diet related illnesses in school children in Scotland by ensuring that basic food preparation skills form part of every young person's education from S1 to S6.

MOTION 9

This Association reminds all Scottish local authorities of their duty of care to their staff. It is with alarm that the Association notes the number of teachers absent through stress related illness. Congress therefore calls on all local authorities to investigate industry-wide good practice to ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place to identify and support staff with such illnesses.

MOTION 10

The Association commends the courage of teachers in Afghanistan who, at the risk of their own lives, continue to teach all young people in their communities regardless of gender. Congress calls on Education International to explore ways in which practical assistance may be rendered to our Afghan colleagues.

EMERGENCY MOTION

The Association welcomes the publication by Audit Scotland of “A Mid Term Report – a first stage review of the cost and implementation of the teachers' agreement ‘A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century'”, and commends the analyses which it provides.Congress deplores, however, the misleading inferences, being drawn from the report by certain commentators, which imply that ‘value for money' has not been delivered by the Agreement. Congress asserts that the Agreement, despite its acknowledged shortcomings, has brought about great improvements in the education system in Scotland for pupils, parents, teachers and the community.

We have audited the accounts of the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association for the year ended 31 December 2005 which comprise pages 5 to 12. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies set out therein. This report is made solely to the Association's members, as a body. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Association's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Association and the Association's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Respective responsibilities of the members of the finance committee and auditors Members of the Finance Committee are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with Trade Union Law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Association's affairs. We also report to you if, in our opinion, the Report of the Finance Committee is not consistent with the financial statements, if the Association has not kept proper accounting records or if we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. We read the Report of the Finance Committee and consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements within it.

Basis of audit opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the members of the Finance Committee in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Association's circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed. We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements.

Opinion

In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, of the state of the Association's affairs as at 31 December 2005 and of its surplus for the year then ended and have been properly prepared in accordance with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

Tindell, Grant & Co

Registered Auditors

6 Munro Road

Springkerse

Stirling

Members are reminded of the Association's free legal advisory service Lawline. SSTA provides members with a free and confidential legal advice through the firm Morton Fraser Solicitors by telephone or e-mail. The service provides advice on ANY legal matter, with the sole exception of matters relating to the professional life of a teacher (which should be sent directly to the General Secretary). The service has been of great benefit to the many members who have used it. To make use of the service you can telephone on 07770748556 between the hours of 8.30am to 10.00pm, Monday to Friday, or e-mail at Lawline@morton-fraser.com.

The two pre-retirement courses currently arranged are now fully subscribed. In order to ascertain the desirability of holding a third course during this session, members who have not yet been given a place on either of the currently arranged courses and who would wish to attend a possible third course, are asked to contact the SSTA offices to state their interest. It would be useful if members could indicate which of the following possible venues would be suitable. Edinburgh Aberdeen Glasgow PerthThe date would be different from those already selected (24 March and 21 April) but probably one of the following: 19 or 26 May, or 9 or 16 June.

“ A member who is concerned that some irregularity may be occurring, or have occurred, in the conduct of the financial affairs of the union may take steps with a view to investigating further, obtaining clarification and, if necessary, securing regularisation of that conduct.The member may raise any such concern with such one or more of the following as it seems appropriate to raise it with: the officials of the union, the trustees of the property of the union, the auditor or auditors of the union, the Certification Officer (who is an independent officer appointed by the Secretary of State) and the police. Where a member believes that the financial affairs of the union have been or are being conducted in breach of the law or in breach of the rules of the union and contemplates bringing civil proceedings against it the union or responsible officials or trustees, he should consider obtaining independent legal advice.

The following are the main items from Congress 2007 held in the Hilton Coylumbridge Hotel, near Aviemore on 11 and 12 May.

(a) Presidential Address

The President, Albert McKay, addressed Congress on the theme of Your concerns – Our priorities. The full text of the Presidential Address can be found on the Association website at https://ssta.org.uk.

(b) General Secretary's Address

The General Secretary, David Eaglesham, addressed Congress on the reform of the role of local government in education. His report in full can be accessed on the Association's website, https://ssta.org.uk.

(c) Life Membership

Life Membership of the Association was conferred on Barbara Clark, Stirling District and Bill Thomson, Ayr Area.

(d) Finance Committee.

The Report of the Finance Committee and Accounts for 2006 were approved. A copy of the Report and Accounts will be sent to all school representatives with this Bulletin and may be consulted by members. The Financial Statement to 31 December 2006, as required by law, appears later in this Bulletin.

(e) Guests at Congress

The Association's representatives were joined by guests from Aberdeenshire Council and from the political parties along with teacher unions from throughout the UK and overseas. The Highland Council generously provided a Civic Reception. The Programme Director of Curriculum for Excellence, Gill Robertson, addressed Congress in a Keynote Speech and answered questions from delegates.

(f) Motions to Congress

The following motions were approved by Congress.

MOTION 1

This Association believes that employers of teachers in Scottish schools should ensure that every time a pupil is excluded from school for violent behaviour, a Risk Assessment is carried out, as a matter of course, before that pupil returns to school.

MOTION 2

This Association expresses grave concern about misuse of internet posting sites to harass, intimidate and defame teachers. The Association calls on the Scottish Executive to co-operate with all appropriate regulatory bodies to ensure that owners of such sites are made responsible for the content therein.

MOTION 3

Congress calls on the Scottish Executive and the GTC(S) to ensure that the providers of Initial Teacher Education courses in Scotland review each of these courses to ensure that students are appropriately trained regarding Health & Safety legislation and regulation. Students should also be trained to recognise problems which they may encounter as teachers and which may affect the health & safety of both pupils and teachers.

MOTION 4

This Association, being aware of unusually high levels of mesothelioma in the population who attended school in Scotland from the 1960s onwards, demands that the Scottish Executive undertakes an intensive audit of all local authority schools in Scotland and ensures that no asbestos remains present in these buildings so that in consequence future health risks are minimised.

MOTION 5

This Association expresses concern that the focus of “A Curriculum for Excellence” loses sight of the traditional subject-based curriculum in favour of an excessive emphasis on a process driven approach.

MOTION 6

Congress notes with concern that, while schools are being exhorted to engage with the Curriculum for Excellence programme, there is, as yet, very little concrete detail with which to engage.SEED is therefore exhorted to produce a more definitive timetable for the programme's implementation and more information to assist schools with forward planning and necessary curricular decision-making.

MOTION 7

This Congress calls on the Scottish Executive to take action to preserve the breadth of curriculum which has gained Scottish education an international reputation for excellence. The basic content of curriculum must be protected from individual Head Teachers and Authorities removing subjects currently on offer in schools and thus limiting choice to students.

MOTION 8

Congress calls upon the incoming Scottish Executive and all local authorities to ensure that the principles of a Curriculum for Excellence are not compromised by reductions in funding or staffing in any of Scotland's schools.

MOTION 9

This Association reminds local authorities that the concept of inclusion has a wider application than merely to assign or condemn young people with additional support needs to mainstream education where some are clearly unable to access the curriculum in any meaningful way.

MOTION 10

Congress supports moves by the Scottish Executive to create an effective framework which ensures that monies intended for school use are actually used to provide services for or within schools and not diverted to non-educational services.

MOTION 11

Now that all schools in Scotland are health promoting schools, this Association calls upon the Scottish Executive to encourage and assist local authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure that a teacher's work can be achieved within the agreed 35 hour week.

MOTION 12

This Association welcomes, in principle, the proposed introduction, by UCAS, of post qualification applications (PQA) to Higher Education, but registers its concern on the potential workload implications for teachers during the summer holiday period.

MOTION 13

This Association urges all local authorities to ensure that they observe the requirements of SNCT18 in disciplinary procedures relating to teachers. Furthermore, we urge employers to ensure that no employee may act as investigating officer without having undergone relevant training to include familiarisation with ACAS Code of Practice and the Employment Act 2002.

Emergency Motion

Congress welcomes the assertion by the Scottish Executive that funding will be made available to reduce class sizes in S1/S2 English and Maths from August 2007.

Congress does, however, remain sceptical that the introduction of 20 as an 'average' rather than 'maximum' class size will be to the benefit of all pupils, particularly those who will remain in classes of over 20 pupils and calls upon the new Minister for Education to reaffirm the SEED commitment to a maximum class size of 20.

We have audited the financial statements of the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association for the year ended 31 December 2006 which comprise the Cash Flow statement, the Income and Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheet and related notes. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies set out therein and the requirements of the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities.This report is made solely to the Association's members, as a body. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Association's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the association and the Association's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of the members of the finance committee and auditors

As described in the statement of Finance Committee's responsibilities members of the Finance Committee are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with Trade Union Law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Association's affairs. We also report to you if, in our opinion, the Report of the Finance Committee is not consistent with the financial statements, if the Association has not kept proper accounting records or if we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.We read the Report of the Finance Committee and consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements within it.

Basis of audit opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the members of the Finance Committee in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Association's circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed.We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements. Opinion

In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, of the state of the Association's affairs as at 31 December 2006 and of its surplus for the year then ended and have been properly prepared in accordance with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 and the information given in the Report of the Finance Committee is consistent with the accounts.

“A member who is concerned that some irregularity may be occurring, or have occurred, in the conduct of the financial affairs of the union may take steps with a view to investigating further, obtaining clarification and, if necessary, securing regularisation of that conduct. The member may raise any such concern with such one or more of the following as it seems appropriate to raise it with: the officials of the union, the trustees of the property of the union, the auditor or auditors of the union, the Certification Officer (who is an independent officer appointed by the Secretary of State) and the police.Where a member believes that the financial affairs of the union have been or are being conducted in breach of the law or in breach of rules of the union and contemplates bringing civil proceedings against the union or responsible officials or trustees, he should consider obtaining independent legal advice.” A copy of the full financial report has been issued to each school representative and will be available for inspection. Any member wishing an additional copy should write to the General Secretary.

It would be extremely helpful if members who are retiring at this time of year would notify the Association office of the fact. Members who transfer school should also let the office know of their new school details. SSTA would take this opportunity to wish those members retiring a long, healthy and happy retirement or, in the case of those transferring to another school, a stress-free transition and continued career success.Office staff would be grateful to all members who move home address during the summer to contact with a note of their new private address

Did you receive your copy of Teaching Scotland in February?If the answer to this question is “no” there is a possibility that GTCS may not have your correct address details on the register. With recent changes to the Teacher Registration Rules, it is now compulsory that teachers notify GTCS when moving home or changing name. This is important because:

- Registration rules state that teachers will be removed from the register if they do not update their details with GTC Scotland- As your regulatory body we need to have correct contact details so we can communicate effectively with you

Over the past year, the GTCS has been working hard to locate teachers for whom they have no up-to-date address details. Despite a targeted advertising campaign, including posters and leaflets, there are still 800 teachers who have failed to update their details.By 1 October those who have not updated their details could be removed from the register – which obviously could have major implications for you and your school.

Avril Barker, GTCS Director of Professional Services, and the person responsible for the register says “It is important teachers take responsibility for ensuring their contact details are up to date. This will enable us to communicate effectively with them throughout their teaching career”.

Checking if GTCS hold your up-to-date details is easy. Visit http://www.gtcs.org.uk/mygtcs and click on the ‘sign up for access' link. Once approved (usually within 24 hours) you will be able to login, check and update your details if necessary.

8. WERE YOU IN THE JORDANHILL CLASS OF 1976?

Former students from Jordanhill College are being invited to attend a diploma awards ceremony - more than 30 years after they qualified.The special celebration is to be held in November on the Jordanhill Campus - now part of the University of Strathclyde - for the class of 1976. The year saw widespread student protests across Scotland and some diploma ceremonies, including those at the College, were cancelled as a result. Now, 31 years later, the University wants to give these alumni the opportunity to don a gown, walk across the stage and be congratulated by staff, family and classmates. All Jordanhill alumni from 1976 for whom the University has a postal address will be invited. The event will take place in the afternoon of Saturday 10 November 2007 at Jordanhill. To make sure you receive your invitation, please update your details via the alumni website at http://www.strath.ac.uk/alumi For more information about the awards ceremony, please contact Lucy Alder, Alumni Officer, on lucy.alder@strath.ac.uk On behalf of the President and Council, the Association wishes all its members a well-deserved restful and enjoyable summer vacation.

ANN BALLINGER, President

DAVID EAGLESHAM, General Secretary

Bulletin no 406/07 12 October 2007

1. COUNCIL 6 OCTOBER 2007

• Council heard reports on the McCrone Implementation process, and in particular on Chartered Teacher.

• Council also heard an extensive report on “A Curriculum for Excellence” and was directed to the latest documents at http://www.curriculumforexcellencescotland.gov.uk and follow the link “Experiences and Outcomes”. Only the Numeracy and Science proposals are as yet available. The Numeracy proposals are, however, cross curricular.Members are urged to download and read these. The process which the Association asks you to use to allow you to express your views is as follows:

a) visit https://ssta.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence.htm

b) post your comments there in one of 3 sections:

- Numeracy – specific to theme

- Science – specific to subjects

- Other (if you wish to make general comments).

Please contribute as soon as possible. The Association will collate these views and represent them to the relevant bodies and people. Please ensure you contribute to allow maximum representation of SSTA member views to the authorities.

2. PENSION SCHEME

There have been some recent changes to the Scottish Teachers Superannuation Scheme (STSS) which members will need to be aware of.

• Transfer of existing pension to STSS Members are reminded that if they have entered teaching in Scotland following superannuated employment elsewhere, they have only one year in which to arrange the transfer of existing pension rights to the Scottish Teachers' Superannuation Scheme.The Association does not necessarily advise of that such a transfer should be automatic. Independent financial advice should be sought. The Scottish Public Pensions Agency will advise on any transfer.

• Death Grants If a teacher is not married or in a civil partnership, they can nominate a person to receive their Death Grant. For this to happen a nomination must be made or the grant will go to the estate of the deceased. If you wish to make a nomination, please contact SPPA.

• Re-Employment   If you are re-employed as a teacher after retiring, it is in your interest to let SPPA know and you must do so. Please contact SPPA if necessary at Teachers' Branch, 7 Tweedside Park, Galashiels, TD1 3TE,

If you require any advice in these matters please contact the General Secretary.

3. DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENTS IN DECEMBER

Members who pay their subscription by monthly direct debit are advised of the following payment dates for December's subscription. The Association will input data to BACS on Thursday 27 December which will be processed on Friday 28 December for payment on Monday 31 December.

4. PRE-RETIREMENT COURSE

A series of one day pre-retirement courses will take place during the first half of 2008. Details of dates and venues will be advised to members as soon as possible and will also be posted on the website.

5. CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Members who change their home address are asked to notify the Association office in writing or by email. It is also advisable that changes of address are notified to the school, the authority, GTCS, the nearest Social Security office, the Inland Revenue and the Scottish Public Pensions Agency. In all cases, please quote any reference number (GTCS, National Insurance etc.) The Social Security Office will make arrangements for NI records to be amended.

6. RETIRED MEMBERS

Members who are about to retire are asked to note that they may maintain membership of the Association after retiral at one half of the usual rate. Members in this situation should contact this office giving their retirement date. If it has not already been done, membership will be transferred to the home address and the school membership deleted. Retiring members who have paid a full rate subscription for the whole year will receive a rebate by cheque. Retired membership entitles the member to all the usual services for members except access to those external services limited by age. Such members receive all information at their home address. Members who have retired during the course of this year who have not informed the Association (and hence who may not be currently benefiting from the reduced subscription rate) are asked to notify the office. It is helpful if all retired members (as well as those continuing in employment) give details of any email address.

7. LAWLINE SERVICE

Members are reminded of the Association's free legal advisory service, Lawline. Morton Fraser Solicitors provide SSTA members with a free confidential legal advice by telephone or email. The service permits members to seek legal advice on any issues affecting them or on which they wish details (excluding employment matters which should be directed to the General Secretary). The advice given is prompt, comprehensive, impartial, and covers Scots law as well as other jurisdictions. Advice can cover consumer matters, domestic issues, contracts, family law, estates and travel to name but a few areas. To make use of the service you can telephone on 07770 748556 or email at: Lawline@morton-fraser.com.

8. SICK PAY ENHANCEMENT COVER SCHEME

The Association is pleased to announce that the Sick Pay Enhancement Cover (SPEC) scheme is about to be launched to members. All members aged 55 and under are entitled to enrol in this extremely advantageous scheme which, for the minimal sum of £7.00 per month, affords benefits to a member on long-term sick leave of £100 per week for up to 26 weeks after a period of sickness of 26 weeks and a sum of £200 per week for up to a further 52 weeks period thereafter. Clearly this makes financial planning for the future less stressful at a time when it is difficult enough to cope with incapacity for a lengthy period.Application forms should be in schools or sent to home addresses, where applicable, by the end of October.

9. PART-TIME PROFESSIONAL OFFICER (TEMPORARY POST)

The Association has an imminent vacancy for a part-time Professional Officer (0.4 FTE) for a period of around 18 months. Any member who has extensive experience of representing members at hearings, particularly outwith his/her own school and who would be available to take up the post immediately is invited to send to the General Secretary a brief resumè of his/her personal details and details of the representations they have recently undertaken.This should not exceed one side of A4 in length. Please indicate your current status within this Association. All expressions of interest must be received by noon on Friday 9 November 2007 at the latest. These must be in a hard-copy format and, if sent by email, must be followed up by a signed copy. The salary for the post is £16,698 p.a. and the post is based in the offices of the Association in Edinburgh.Further details are available from the General Secretary.

10. CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR CLOSURE OF THE SSTA OFFICE

Members are asked to note that the Association office will close at noon on Friday 21st December and will re-open for normal business after New Year on Monday 7th January 2008.

ANN BALLINGER, President

DAVID EAGLESHAM, General Secretary