It is sensible to take a cautious approach to reopening secondary schools on Monday 22 February but it cannot be a return to a way of working that existed prior to Christmas. Schools were closed in January because we needed to control the virus. We now need to ensure pupils and staff are safe during this staged return. The reopening of secondary schools is a controlled exercise that will be evaluated before further decision will be made. Secondary teachers need…

Please find below a link to the January 2021 SSTA Newsletter. Information included in the newsletter: A message from the SSTA PresidentElection of President and Vice-President - 2021-2023SNCT – Teachers Pay Claim 2021The Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme - Retirement WorkshopsParents EveningsSSTA Subscription Fees for 2021Professional Tax Review Service SSTA Newsletter - January 2021Download

The First Minister is introducing new laws that will require people to stay at home and work from home where possible from 5 January. There is now confusion is some areas as some schools and local authorities are still instructing teachers to attend school in person this week when pupils are nor present (See advice below). The SSTA advises members that: Teachers should only attend school if they have been assigned child supervision dutiesAll meetings should be conducted remotelyTeachers should…

The SSTA has been contacted by a large number of members concerned about their safety and the arrangements for the return to schools in January following the Covid-19 statement made by Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister on Saturday 19 December 2020.The following was issued by Government on Monday 21 December - ‘Arrangements for the phased reopening of schools in January 2021 – supplementary guidance’. The guidance provides details regarding the phased start to the spring term 2021.  This guidance supplements the existing Coronavirus:…

Members Update – Christmas Arrangements for Schools – 11 December 2020 The SSTA met with John Swinney, Deputy First Minister this week and urged him to: reconsider the arrangements for Secondary Schools prior to Christmas anddelay returning to face-face teaching in January in order for everybody to be kept safe over the Christmas period.This followed the SSTA letter to Local Authorities asking that schools move to ‘remote learning’ and fulfil their duty of care to keep everybody safe. Please see…