Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association
Friday 10 May 2013 • Congress
Margaret Smith’s Presidential Address - Congress 2013
It seems almost inconceivable that two years have passed since Peter Wright called me ‘Muggins’ and pinned the President’s badge on me –
-and what a two years they have been Following my last Congress address I was described in the editorial of a national newspaper as, ‘selfish and irresponsible,’ ‘living on the moon,’ and an example of ‘why members were deserting trade unions.’ I must have got something right.
Unfortunately, the concerns I raised last year still beset us. Pensions remain under attack. Despite the Association’s gesture of goodwill to the Scottish Government in suspending our work to contract in defence of our pensions, little if any, progress has been made. Alan McKenzie will expand on this in his General Secretary’s report.
During my tenure I have tried to visit as many schools as possible, from Orkney to the Scottish Borders, and members have repeatedly made it clear to me that Curriculum for Excellence, both in terms of what is required to deliver it and the workload implications of delivering it, remain a major cause of concern. Confusion and distress at the workload implications of that confusion are universally voiced, and in many cases, reflect real despair among teachers.
Nor have concerns regarding the ‘independent’ GTCs been resolved and teachers continue to be subject to the judgment either of ‘appointees,’ or by persons, whether or not they have a teaching background, who have simply volunteered their services. It seems that ‘independence’ means being ‘independent’ only of those who continue to fund the entire cost of the GTCs – Scotland’s teachers.
A serious re-evaluation of the SSTA’s relationship with this body is overdue.
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-and what a two years they have been Following my last Congress address I was described in the editorial of a national newspaper as, ‘selfish and irresponsible,’ ‘living on the moon,’ and an example of ‘why members were deserting trade unions.’ I must have got something right.
Unfortunately, the concerns I raised last year still beset us. Pensions remain under attack. Despite the Association’s gesture of goodwill to the Scottish Government in suspending our work to contract in defence of our pensions, little if any, progress has been made. Alan McKenzie will expand on this in his General Secretary’s report.
During my tenure I have tried to visit as many schools as possible, from Orkney to the Scottish Borders, and members have repeatedly made it clear to me that Curriculum for Excellence, both in terms of what is required to deliver it and the workload implications of delivering it, remain a major cause of concern. Confusion and distress at the workload implications of that confusion are universally voiced, and in many cases, reflect real despair among teachers.
Nor have concerns regarding the ‘independent’ GTCs been resolved and teachers continue to be subject to the judgment either of ‘appointees,’ or by persons, whether or not they have a teaching background, who have simply volunteered their services. It seems that ‘independence’ means being ‘independent’ only of those who continue to fund the entire cost of the GTCs – Scotland’s teachers.
A serious re-evaluation of the SSTA’s relationship with this body is overdue.
Read more
Thursday 02 May 2013 • Information for members
WORKING TIME AGREEMENTS 2013/14
Members are reminded that the season of Working Time Agreements is here. Given the increasing workload implications of National 4 and 5, it would be advisable to review the allocation of time in the school agreement devoted to curriculum development and Formal Assessment. Clearly time would be needed to be taken from elsewhere. Members should therefore consider what time allocation they believe sufficient and what has to be sacrificed from the other “priorities”. Every school will be different but it is important that members contribute to the issue.
Tuesday 23 April 2013 • Pensions
Increase in Employee Pension Contributions
As from April 1st 2013 the following increases to employee pension contributions will apply.
Annual Pay Negotiations
There is still no agreement on annual pay increases for teachers. Negotiations continue.
| Full Time Equivalent pensionable pay | Contribution | Contribution | Contribution rate increase against 2012/13 |
| Up to £14,999 | 6.4% | 6.4% | 0% |
| £15,000 to £25,999 | 7.0% | 7.0% | 0% |
| £26,000 to £31,999 | 7.3% | 7.9% | 0.6% |
| £32,000 to £39,999 | 7.6% | 8.8% | 1.2% |
| £40,000 to £44,999 | 8.0% | 9.2% | 1.2% |
| £45,000 to £74,999 | 8.0% | 10.1% | 2.1% |
| £75,000 to £99,999 | 8.4% | 10.6% | 2.2% |
| £100,000 and above | 8.4-8.8% | 11.2% | 2.4-2.8% |
There is still no agreement on annual pay increases for teachers. Negotiations continue.
Thursday 18 April 2013 • Information for members
National Qualification’s Survey
The Association is conducting a survey of members to find out how prepared they are for the delivery of the new courses next session. The survey should take no longer than a couple of minutes to complete.
Emails are being sent out to approximately 15% of members inviting them to take part in the survey. Those chosen to take part in the survey were randomly selected by our database. If you receive an invitation please take the time to complete survey before it closes at 12pm on Tuesday 30 April.
With best wishes,
Alan McKenzie
Acting General Secretary
Emails are being sent out to approximately 15% of members inviting them to take part in the survey. Those chosen to take part in the survey were randomly selected by our database. If you receive an invitation please take the time to complete survey before it closes at 12pm on Tuesday 30 April.
With best wishes,
Alan McKenzie
Acting General Secretary
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