The Secondary Issue

Newsletter of West Lothian SSTA – September/ October 2002

LATEST NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE MEETING.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT BID.

The last meeting of the Joint Working Group threw up several interesting items of discussion, not the least of which was an introductory talk from Nick Boreham of Stirling University regarding the possibility of a sizeable amount of money (£2,000,000) which the University was proposing a bid for in connection with a programme of research and development which would focus on development, delivery, and Evaluation of appropriate learning activities in an organisation undergoing major restructuring.

Stirling University have been involved in a long term relationship with Shell which has been undergoing such major restructuring since the 1970s. Some interesting points were used to illustrate the effects of this previous work within Shell, not the least of which was that individual employees were taking a broader responsibility for improving many aspects of theworking environment which benefited both employees and company.

This apparently led to a situation where management within the actual environs of the plant were rarely in evidence. (An outcome achieved years ago in some secondary schools!) All levels of staff were encouraged to identify and suggest solutions to any problem in an open and transparent manner - a principle with which we are totally in favour.

Nick Boreham will undertake another presentation to Head Teachers' Meeting on 27th. September to which we have been extended an invitation.

It goes without saying that such a sum of money would greatly assist in the provision of training, especially with the West Lothian's ambition to have all teachers who wish to do so progressing to Chartered Teacher status.

Nick Boreham was interested to hear what we as Professional Associations perceived as being problematic with regard to our Professional Development and I highlighted the obvious difficulties Teachers would have when compared to employees of Shell.

We cannot just go off to London or furth - there are timetables to be followed and pupils to be taught. Shell can afford the hotel bills - Roger agreed that he might be able to fund an overnight stop in Fauldhouse - at a push and with receipts.

The biggest issue other than that is of course time.

How many of us have been to In - Service courses we considered extremely valuable and which met our identified Staff Development needs only for the acquired skill to be lost in the fog of receding time because we have not been given adequate opportunity to consolidate the skills / knowledge gained.

No eyebrows were raised when these points were raised and it was agreed that this study might just be a way of addressing such issues.

OTHER MATTERS.
C.S.T. POSTS

Schools recently received a list of Guidance Posts still to be filled after the most recent advert for all posts. We did raise the issue of there being no Guidance C.S.T. post and this matter has now been addressed - a C.S.T. member for Guidance will be appointed.

LEARNING SUPPORT AUDIT.

There will be a review of allocation procedures for next session. Part of this process will include reviewing P.A.G.s

JOB - SIZING.

Despite our offer to become involved in trialling the job - sizing tool (if only they would find a better name for it) we were not included in the trial. This is a pity since it would have given us some insight as to the impact on our members.

We do know, however that there is an opportunity for appeals should any PT feel unhappy about their eventual placement on the new scale.

Training for co-ordinators of the job - sizing exercise will take place at the end September / beginning October. In the meantime, PT and APTs are urged to accept no changes to their current remits. In this respect it is worth remembering that the new "PT Curriculum" posts will have no effect whatsoever on the job sizing of other PT posts within their "domain". A further meeting with John Irvine over this issue will be held on October 1st.

YOUR UNION – MAKING YOUR VOICE HEARD.

Now that the Local Negotiating Committee is a reality, it is vital that West Lothian SSTA has the best possible lines of communication with members in schools. In this regard, it is suggested it is open to members to hold union "branch" meetings in schools to coincide with the meetings of the LNCT. This will allow members to raise issues which can be immediately placed before the LNCT at its next meeting.

The schedule of meetings of the LNCT is as follows …

October 1^st

November 26^th

January 28^th

March 25^th

May 27^th

It is not suggested that a meeting be held before each and every one of these LNCT meetings, merely that members may wish to convene a meeting or pass on their concerns informally to their school rep’s at the appropriate time.

PROBATIONERS

West Lothian SSTA extends a warm welcome to probationers joining the service. This applies to "old style" probationers as well as those benefiting from the new probationer placements.

All current probationer members will be entitled to attend an SSTA conference in Glasgow on November 2^nd . This conference has been designed to give the maximum information and support to beginning teachers. It will also afford these new teachers the opportunity to speak to their peers from across the country and keep the SSTA up to date with developments in the probationer programmes in the schools.

If you are a probationer, this is an opportunity which you cannot afford to miss. This conference, which is provided free as a service to our probationer members, should also be accepted as part of your annual CPD commitment. Contact your school rep for more details.

West Lothian has produced an admirable programme for its current probationers. However, this kind of support must extend down the chain of command to departmental level in schools. All our probationers are entitled to expect the best in terms of advice and support.

One outcome of the new scenario is that this situation which was just as necessary in the past but which was often found wanting, is now a sine qua non. Probationers who do not receive such support will not be slow in disputing any decision regarding their registration with the GTC. In this, they will be fully supported by the SSTA.

GOT A PROBLEM?

SSTA members who encounter problems at work have a number of avenues they might pursue…

1. Speak to your school rep. Many school reps are "founts of knowledge" on all sorts of work related matters. However, it should always be born in mind that the SSTA does not expect its school rep’s to be shop stewards. Any rep. is well within their rights to say "Sorry, I can’t handle your problem …"

2. Contact the District Secretary at Broxburn Academy, in writing, by e mail,(peter.wright@westlothian.org.uk) or in an emergency by ‘phone. A case handled by the District Secretary will only be discussed with any third party with the member’s express permission.

3. Contact a permanent official (in writing unless it is an emergency) at SSTA HQ. Such enquiries will always be dealt with. Remember however that SSTA policy is to treat members’ business with absolute confidence. (See above.) Therefore, the District Secretary will not be contacted unless the member requests this.