Scottish Borders Local Association

News and Current Issues

LNCT Update

Contrary to some misinformation that seems to have gone out to schools, the LNCT has not agreed proposals to reform the promoted post structure in secondary schools to one centred on a 'faculty' system. Any such proposals are, at this stage, just that.

So far, the LNCT has agreed the following:

1. the CPD document as circulated to schools
2. the Primary Promoted Post structure document - issued to schools
3. the Secondary Promoted Post structure document - final agreed copy yet to appear...

At the October meeting, a document outlining teacher duties was tabled. Discussion took place and we will return to the issue.

Discussions on promoted posts in secondary schools - and, in particular, middle management - are ongoing and a timetable for consultation has been put forward. Some progress has been made but we are well aware that this is a difficult area and one which has no easy solutions. Equally, we are determined to pursue EIS policy in the context of McCrone, and its implications for any re-structuring within SBC. Stay tuned...

National Executive Council

As of next August, Scottish Borders Local Association will be entitled to two council members instead of the present one. Nominations are currently invited for two candidates and we need to elect one from each of the primary and secondary sectors.

Executive Council holds five meetings each year; usually on a Friday and in Edinburgh. Our council members also attend the National AGM held on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday in June in either Perth or Dundee.

Anyone interested in being nominated for the post should obtain a nomination form from the Secretary - the closing date for nominations is 1 Feb 2004.

Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Leave

Changes have taken place (April 2003) in the regulations covering such leave. More details can be found here.

Chartered Teacher

Websites offering further details on CPD and Chartered Teacher Status can be found at:

University of Paisley
GTC for Scotland
Standard for Chartered Teacher
Chartered Teacher: Frequently Asked Questions
Chartered Teacher: Additional Frequently Asked Questions
Continuing Professional Development
Professional Review and Development 2002
PRD: Frequently Asked Questions

Job Sizing

Criteria for triggering a re-jobsizing have yet to be agreed but should be issued sometime in November. This, of course, is a double-edged sword...

Background to the Budget Crisis:

The whole sorry saga of the 2001/2002 SBC funding crisis has been chronicled in detail and can be found here

Attendance Plus

Since bringing in the Attendance Plus scheme, teachers off ill have had to fill in a couple of forms on their return to work. The form detailing the reason for being off ill is in triplicate. The only person who doesn't get a copy of this form is the person who filled it in, signed it, and to whom it directly relates, ie you, the teacher.

We think that this is an absurd state of affairs and yet SBC have consistently refused to make provision for a copy of the form to be made available to teachers as a matter of course.

We would suggest that teachers who have been off ill do the following on their return to work:

• fill in the form but exercise caution when detailing their illness; we are not medically qualified and it may be inappropriate to give more than a brief description of the problem

• if there is any suggestion that stress may be a contributory factor, then you should have no hesitation in ticking the 'stress' box, in addition to any other(s)

• insist that you are given a photocopy of the form

At the JCG meeting in November, it was agreed that when the 'triplicate' forms are reprinted, there will be a tick-box to indicate whether or not you would like a copy of the form - if you tick it a copy will be made. In the meantime, it was also agreed that SBC write to all headteachers asking them to ensure that you are asked if you would like a (photo)copy of the form. Our advice is to get one.
 

We welcome comments and news from around the region - please email with details.

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