SSTA News - Page 13 - SSTA Development

Additional In-Service Days -Teacher Workload Still Increasing

As part of the three-year pay deal the teacher unions together with the Government and COSLA (employers) made a commitment to reducing teacher workload. Two additional in-service days were allocated within the 2019-2020 school session to help schools to identify and reduce teacher workload. The SSTA conducted a survey of school representatives in December 2019 to gauge the impact of the additional in-service days in reducing teacher workload. Despite the commitment from the Government and COSLA, SSTA representatives reported that…

SSTA Members Update - 16 January 2020

GTCS Council ElectionsSSTA is supporting the nominations of Catherine Nicol and Kevin Campbell in the GTCS Council elections. The SSTA is encouraging members to vote for these candidates. SNCT Career PathwaysThe SNCT working has established three working groups to take forward the recommendations from the ‘Career Pathways Report’. The working groups have all met and are undertaking detailed work. The three groups are: New post of Lead Teacher to introduce a new career path for teachers in specialist roles in curricular, pedagogical and policy delivery.Career pathways…

Information for Members - 01/16/2020

Pre-Retirement Seminars 2020

In conjunction with Stuart McCullough from L-Life Ltd, the SSTA is holding a number of Pre-Retirement seminars at the beginning of 2020. These seminars are designed to give guidance to members who are considering retiring in the next few years. Members are advised to gain information that will assist in planning the next step in their future. A list of dates and venues of the seminars is shown below. DateTimingCityLocationMonday 03 February17:30-20:00GlasgowMercure City HotelBook PlaceWednesday 05 February17:00-19:30EdinburghSSTA Head OfficeBook PlaceThursday…

Information for Members / Pensions - 01/15/2020

General Secretary Report - December 2019

SNCT Career Pathways Report 3 SNCT working groups established Career pathway established for specialist roles in curricular, pedagogical and policy delivery through the creation of a new post of Lead Teacher. Career pathways for Headteachers within and beyond Headship should be recognised including new opportunities in system leadership. A national model for sabbaticals should be developed for all teachers, including Headteachers that is both attractive and sustainable. Review of Senior Phase Education and Skills Committee concerns regarding reduction in…

Information for Members - 12/12/2019

SSTA Members Bulletin – November 2019

SNCT Career Pathways Working GroupsThree SNCT working groups have been established to develop the recommendations in the Career Pathway Report with SSTA represented on all groups. Career pathway established for specialist roles in curricular, pedagogical and policy delivery through the creation of a new post of Lead Teacher.Career pathways for Headteachers within and beyond Headship should be recognised including new opportunities in system leadership.A national model for sabbaticals should be developed for all teachers, including Headteachers that is both attractive and sustainable. Reports on the…

Bulletin / Information for Members - 11/14/2019

General Secretary Report - October 2019

Teachers Pay Deal 2018-2020 included Job Sizing Review (to include ASN, Guidance and PEF appointments)2 Additional in-service days - aimed at reducing unnecessary workload and addressing challenges in supporting pupils with additional support needs.SSTA guidance issued to members. SNCT to monitor and identify good practice SNCT Career Pathways Report– SNCT 26 September 2019 3 SNCT working groups established Career pathway established for specialist roles in curricular, pedagogical and policy delivery through the creation of a new post of Lead…

Conditions of Service / Information for Members - 10/24/2019

SSTA Workload Guidance No.4

The SSTA is committed to supporting members to manage and reduce workload and will be giving members regular advice and guidance on managing and tackling workload. Please find a link to the fourth SSTA workload guidance document which provides advice on Measures to Reduce Teacher Workload and information on the additional in-service day. Previous workload guidance documents can be found here.

Conditions of Service / Information for Members - 10/10/2019

Seamus Searson Re-elected as General Secretary

The SSTA are pleased to announce the re-election of Seamus Searson as General Secretary of the SSTA, Scotland only specialist Union for Secondary Teachers. Mr Searson was re-elected unopposed for a second 5 year term of office, following nominations received from SSTA branches and with the endorsement of SSTA Council. ELECTION FOR POSITION OF GENERAL SECRETARY 2019 At the close of nominations at noon on 2nd October the following candidate was the only valid nominee for the position and accordingly…

Information for Members - 10/10/2019

Subjects and ‘Multi-Course’ Teaching

The SSTA conducted a survey of members in June following the end of the National Qualification cycle on the extent of ‘Multi-Course’ teaching in particular subjects in S4 classes. The SSTA received 1,247 responses that showed a subject hierarchy in Scottish Secondary Schools that highlighted an unfairness to both teachers and pupils. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “this survey has highlighted the subject hierarchy within National Qualifications that exists in schools and the challenges teachers face in trying to…

Curriculum for Excellence / Information for Members / Press Releases - 10/01/2019

National Qualifications and ‘Multi-Course’ Teaching

The SSTA conducted a survey of members in June following the end of the National Qualification cycle on the extent of ‘Multi-Course’ teaching in S4 classes. The SSTA received 1,247 responses that showed a wide disparity of practice in each local authority across Scotland. The SSTA has continuously campaigned for the unfairness, to both pupils and teachers, of multi-course teaching to be addressed. The response to the survey brings strong evidence for action to be taken to give all pupils…

Information for Members / Press Releases - 09/24/2019