Created on: 15 May 2024 | Last modified: 21 Aug 2026
Can't believe it's already the second week! I do hope you had a brilliant summer, and that the first week back went as well as these things can. Some updates for you below - we are trialing a new approach where we keep this bulletin shorter, but include links to pertinent info, in hopes that will help more of you find what you need.
Fully functioning school H&S committees are essential for ensuring safe workplaces - and this can range from slips, trips and falls to managing unsafe pupil behaviour. To this end, a key focus of our work this year will be ensuring all members are fully aware of CEC's procedures, and that they are being consistently implemented in all schools. See this page for more information on forthcoming member training on Behaviours of Concern - spaces are limited, so be sure to register to reserve yours.
The part-time calculator should, now, be with all schools. A copy of the calculator is HERE and P/T staff should, in the coming few weeks, receive their breakdown and agree what is to be done re: TOIL or payback. Any problems, speak first to the school rep and then get in touch with the office. Part time teachers should also make sure they are fully conversant with the national regulations around part-time working: https://www.snct.org.uk/wiki/details?slug=Part-2-Section-3.
See https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest for more details about activites from Stand up to Racism and the following event:
In May 2021, a UK Home Office dawn raid triggers one of the most spontaneous and successful acts of civil resistance in recent memory. In Pollokshields, Scotland’s most diverse neighbourhood, hundreds of residents rush to the streets to stop the deportation of their neighbours.
The screening will take place at 5.30pm on Wednesday 16th September 2026 in the Theatre at James Gillespie’s High School. To secure a maximum of 6 seats for any individual booking, simply register with this Eventbrite link HERE.
Have a good week.
Alison
Secretary's Update 25 June 2026
Dear EIS Member
Two very quick bits of info for you.
Reclaim the Streets - Saturday 27th June
This has now been confirmed as starting at 1pm in Montgomery Street Park. More details here, I hope to see many of you there.
Standing against transphobia
Our LA Treasurer, Allan Crosbie, gave a very powerful deputation to CEC this morning, in response to the EHRC guidance on how to interpret the Supreme Court judgement of May 2025. You can see it here.
Have a good Thursday!
Alison
Secretary's Update 24 June 2026
Dear EIS Member
Not many morning alarms left… A few important updates for you.
Standing Together Against Violence and Division
So many communities across the UK have been impacted by riots, violence and division. Last week, that violence came to the streets of Edinburgh. It is important that we all stand together against the forces of antisemitism, racism and Islamophobia. https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest has details of some events that give us all an opportunity to show solidarity, and to stand against the far right. We’ll also continue to talk to CEC about what can be done in our schools and our communities to challenge the narratives of hate, and to build unity – there are many useful resources here https://www.eis.org.uk/equality/equality-home that some of you may want to use next session.
Dealing With the Heat
We have long been raising the issue of unacceptable working temperatures with CEC (both too hot and too cold), and are seeking to get better monitoring, improved preventative measures and a clearer guide to actions that should be taken when conditions become difficult. Advice about this can be found here https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/building-issues. Do raise concerns with your school H&SA committee.
Leaving Edinburgh?
Anyone who is leaving employment with CEC (retiring, or going to a post in another authority) should have been sent an exit questionnaire by HR. Please take some time to complete this – HR do analyse the results, and it can be a really useful way of identifying what is going well and what issues employees feel need to be addressed. You can also request an exit interview, if there are issues you want to discuss in more detail. If you are leaving and have not received your questionnaire, please raise a ticket with AskHR, asking for it to be sent to you.
I hope the last few days of the term are going well. Stay safe, well and cool, and let’s be kind.
Alison
Secretary's Update 16 June 2026
Dear EIS member
I hope you are well. A very short bulletin today, but with two very important requests.
For school based CEC members only
Would every member who is working in a CEC school please complete this survey. We really do need a high response rate, so we can properly assess how well school-based H&S committees are working across the council. The survey will close on Friday, and takes less than 5 minutes to complete.
For all members - Edinburgh Pride
Saturday's Pride march and rally is a great opportunity to show support for the LGBTQ+ community - a community feeling under increasing attack. Please come along, and march under the EIS Pride banner. You can turn up on the day, but it helps us with logistics if we know in advance if you are coming - register here.
Have a good week, and I look forward to seeing many of you on Saturday. In the meantime, stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind.
Alison
Secretary's Update 10 June 2026
Dear EIS Member
I hope you are well, and that the last few weeks of terms aren't proving too manic - though, judging by the volume of queries and concerns coming into the office, I fear that is a vain hope. I will try to get back to everyone as soon as possible - if your query is urgent, and you haven't had a response, do email again, or phone the office on 07926 946150 and we will try to get back to you as soon as we can. In the meantime, a couple of quick updates.
EIS AGM
This was held in Dundee last week, and Edinburgh was well represented by a fabulous delegation. All of our motions were passed, and will now form part of the national workstream for the coming session. You can find out more about what happened here and, of course, the next issue of the SEJ will cover the AGM in some detail. If you want to shape the work of the union going forward, think about standing as a delegate next year - we usually send out info about how to do this just before the Christmas break.
Edinburgh Pride - 20th June 2026
Edinburgh EIS has a long tradition of supporting Pride, and we want to build on that this year. It would be fab if lots of members came along to march under our EIS flags and show support and solidarity. Whilst we are very happy for people just to turn up on the day, it really helps with the logistics if we have a rough idea in advance of how many members might be able to come along.
If you are intending to join us, please register your interest here.
And for those of you who would like to take part but cannot or do not want to march in the parade, we are also looking for volunteers to help out at our stall in McEwan Hall. Please email edinburghla@eis.org.uk for more information.
Stay safe and well, and keep on being kind to each other. And I hope to see you next Saturday - Pride is always a great event!
Alison
Secretary's Update 21 May 2026
Dear EIS Member
I hope you enjoyed the long weekend. Two very quick updates for you.
Summer Social – Thursday 28th May any time between 4-8pm
If you were thinking of coming to this and have not signed up, please do so by Friday. We need to confirm numbers with the caterers. It should be a fun, informal evening, with a chance to chat to fellow members and enjoy some good food. You can sign up here: https://www.eis.org.uk/content/courseregistration/1368
New to CEC?
A quick reminder that CEC is reviewing its onboarding and induction processes, with a view to improving quality and consistency. If you started in the council within the last 12 months, would you please take 5-10 minutes to complete this survey here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/QEZLQSiA34
Don’t forget, we are always keen to come out to branches to discuss issues of concern, be it workload, behaviour or anything else impacting on your working life. If that would be helpful, email edinburghla@eis.org.uk and we can set something up.
Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind. And I hope I’ll see you on Thursday.
Alison
Secretary's Update 12 May 2026
Dear EIS Member,
I hope you are well, and looking forward to the upcoming long weekend. A few quick updates for you.
Learning at Work Week:
CEC are promoting this year's Learning at Work Week with the theme "Many Ways to Learn". You'll find various events listed here.
Are you new to CEC?
CEC is reviewing its onboarding and induction processes, with a view to improving quality and consistency. If you started in the council within the last 12 months, would you please take 5-10 minutes to complete this survey here.
It would be helpful if as many of you as possible were to share your experiences.
Leaving CEC?
Equally, if you are leaving CEC (not moving to another post within the Council) you should be sent an exit questionnaire, and given the opportunity to have an exit interview. I would encourage all members to complete the questionnaire, as it does give valuable insights into the reasons people leave, and can be used to highlight both areas of good practice and where there might be issues that the council needs to address. You should generally get an email from HR within about a week of your school notifying the centre that you are leaving (which they can only do once you have given written notice) so please do look out for this. If you don't get it, contact AskHR to make the request (and, if that doesn't work, get in touch with me).
Remember that unpromoted* staff must give a minimum of 4 working weeks' notice, with longer for some other groups, though it boils down to anyone who is going at the end of this term will need to hand in their notice before the end of May - though there is nothing to stop you giving longer notice, and that certainly massively helps schools and the council when it comes to advertising posts and avoiding problems with unfilled vacancies.
* In full, the rules are:
9.23 The minimum period of notice to terminate employment to be given by a teacher on the main grade scale, a teacher on the Chartered Teacher spine, Lead Teacher, Music Instructor, Education Support Officer, Quality Improvement Officer, Education Psychologist shall be 4 working weeks and by all other teachers, Quality Improvement Managers, Principal and Depute Educational Psychologists 8 weeks, which include 4 working weeks.
https://www.snct.org.uk/wiki/details?slug=Part-2-Section-9
In your letter of resignation, you should always put the end date as the last day of the summer holidays, as that way you are covered for the full session.
Summer social:
A quick reminder to sign up for the summer social on Thursday 28th May. Full details and registration here.
Have a good rest of the week! Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind.
Alison
Secretary's Update 29 April 2026
Dear EIS Member,
I hope you are well and getting a chance to enjoy at least some of the sunshine. Some updates for you…
Hustings
Many thanks to those members who made the in-person hustings in Edinburgh yesterday evening. There were some excellent questions, and some interesting answers from candidates, too. These events are incredibly important in raising the profile of education in the election – please do try to go to the online hustings on Thursday. You can register here. And, if you are talking to any candidates in the next week, please do take the opportunity to ask them questions about what they will commit to do to support schools.
Routes to permanency
There will be a 1-hour online session at 5pm next Wednesday (6th May), where Eilidh Gittus (our EIS Organiser) and I will be running over some key rights for temporary staff and the different ways members can try and achieve permanency. You can join using this link or email if you want a calendar invite.
Amendments to national motions
A reminder that the deadline to submit amendments to any national motions is noon today (29th). The meeting to vote on the amendments is 5pm today on Teams – email if you want an invite.
Summer social
It’s never too early to start thinking about the summer! And we hope many of you will join us at our Summer Social on Thursday 28th May here in Moray Place. If the sun is shining, we will be having a BBQ in Moray Place Gardens; if the weather is not kind, we will host in HQ. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow members in an informal setting so do drop in any time between 4-8pm. We do need people to register in advance, so we can organise catering, so please sign up here if you are planning on coming along.
PRD/PU Session
A final reminder about Friday’s session on PRD/PU. More information, and links to sign up here.
Good luck with the rest of the week! Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Member Bulletin 23 April 2026
A short, but important, bulletin for you.
The motions going forward for debate at the EIS’s national AGM can be found at this link. It is open to all local associations to amend these motions. Do note that amendments should be designed to clarify or improve motions, not change their fundamental meaning or intention – if members disagree with a motion, then the correct procedure is to oppose it in open debate. If any member wants to propose an amendment to any of the motions, please send it to edinburghla@eis.org.uk by 12pm on Wednesday 29th April. All amendments deemed competent by the President’s Committee will be debated at our executive meeting that evening – all members are welcome to attend that debate (indeed, if you want to propose an amendment, you will have to come, so that you can speak to your amendment). The meeting is at 5pm on Teams – email edinburghla@eis.org.uk if you want an invite.
Apologies for the short turn around on this, but we didn’t receive the motions in time to get them out before the holiday.
Alison
Secretary's Update 21 April 2026
Dear EIS Member
I hope you are well, and enjoyed a really good rest over the holiday. Good luck to all those doing last minute SQA preparations today!
One quick, but very important notice. PLEASE try to come along to one of the EIS hustings happening next week. Details of all the events are here. We need politicians to prioritise education, and they will only do that if they are getting lots of questions from voters about education matters. Next week is your chance to really put them on the spot, ask them about what matters to you, and make sure they know that they have to take education seriously.
I hope today does not prove too great a shock to your system, as we get back into the school routine. Stay safe and well, and let's be kind to each other, and ourselves.
Alison
Secretary's Update 27 March 2026
Dear EIS Member
Nearly the weekend - and nearly the holidays! Two quick updates for you, about some upcoming opportunities that might be of interest.
PRD/PU
Once again, our Learning Reps are running their very highly regarded session on understanding PU and PRD. It's on Friday 1st May, and there are options to attend in-person or online. Go to our Upcoming Events page for more details and the links to register.
Stand Up for Quality Education
We may have won the fight to get Scottish Government to live up to its promise to reduce class contact time by 90 minutes, but that is only one strand of our campaign to improve the situation in Scotland's schools. Workload, lack of support around ASN, general underfunding, precarious working for supply teachers, Behaviours of Concern, an overcrowded curriculum, and a myriad of other issues need to be addressed. The EIS manifesto outlines our demands of the political parties. In the coming weeks, many of us will find ourselves talking to candidates and their representatives, as they all canvas for our votes. Please raise these educational issues with them, and make sure they know that all parties must make education a priority in the next parliament. The EIS has also organised a series of hustings, to raise the profile of education in the election. Details here eis.org.uk/meetings-and-events/hustings2026 - do try to go along.
Enjoy the weekend, when it finally arrives. Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 18 March 2026
Dear EIS Member
Well, it's been quite a couple of weeks!
The first thing I want to do is say thank you to every single member who voted in the statutory ballot. The promise to reduce class contact time was made way back in 2021 - it took our mandate for industrial action to finally get the Scottish Government and COSLA to deliver on that promise. Proof, as if it were needed, of the power of a strong, activist union, and what we can achieve when we work together. It should also be noted that we were the ONLY union to deliver such a mandate, and we held the line on all that time being entirely undirected (all teachers will be able to use it as they see fit). We've already started discussions with CEC on how this reduction can be delivered in schools - and we will be pushing for phasing in the implementation in secondaries, as 2029 is the deadline by which this work must be completed.
Of course, the reduction in class contact time is only one element of our Stand Up for Quality Education campaign, and we continue to work on the other areas.
WTA
At our LNCT this afternoon we hope to agree the WTA framework for 2026/27 - once that is completed, I will be briefing reps on the agreement, and on other steps that can be taken at branch level to reduce workload. Discussions I was having with members when we were looking at ASOS made it very clear to me that there is lots that can be done NOW at school and individual member level that would help. If your school does not have a rep, get in touch and we can offer support.
Behaviours of Concern
Violence and dysregulated behaviour is another major area of work. The protocols around responding to Behaviours of Concern have been refreshed, including reinforcing the central role of school H&S committees and employees' right to contact the police, and we will, in the coming weeks and months, be working with members to ensure they are getting the support they need.
Annual General Meeting - Tonight!
This evening is also our LA AGM - if you go to https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/laagm you'll see more info, including the motions we will be debating, which will give insight into the range of matters we are seeking to address. it's also not too late to register to attend either online or in person...
Lots of other work going on (supporting surplus staff, delivering training to probationers on terms and conditions, supporting individual members etc) and I will try to keep you all updated on key areas. If you've been in touch recently about an individual issue and not had a response, I do apologise - hopefully the next week or two there will be some time to catch up on the backlog and, in the meantime, if your issue is urgent, do email again.
Once again, thank you to everyone who has helped to make us Union Strong. Stay safe and well, and keep on being kind to each other - particularly by working collectively together.
Alison
Secretary's Update 13 March 2026
Dear EIS Member
Almost the weekend – and what a roller-coaster of a week it has been. At the time of writing, we still don’t know if COSLA are going to sign up to the agreement reached between the EIS and the Scottish Government to end our dispute. If they don’t, then our industrial action will need to go ahead – you’ll find a guide to that here: https://www.eis.org.uk/workload-ballot/workloadballot. The fact that we are so close to settling this dispute is further proof of the strength of our union, and the importance of collective action. If we are forced to take industrial action – be that ASOS, solidarity actions for particular local associations taking targeted strike action, or us taking part in strike action when it is our turn – then it will be everyone taking action together, even when that action is difficult, that will win us this much needed victory.
LA AGM – Wednesday 18th March 5pm in Moray Place
I hope to see lots of you at our AGM on Wednesday. This is a great chance to: meet fellow members; get updates on all that the Local Association has been doing; find out more about what will be happening in the coming months (particularly with respect to our various campaigns – ASN, workload, violence etc); perhaps most importantly, to debate and vote on the various motions submitted that, if passed, will drive local and national priorities for the coming year.
You can find more information here: https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/laagm. Please do register if you are coming – we need an idea of numbers to help us plan, and names for our sign-in board. There is also the option to attend remotely.
There’s lots of other things going on – from negotiations around next year’s WTA to support for individual branches to all our other activities. You can also see info about events being organised by other groups here: https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest (remember that, if you sign up to join the Scottish Union block at the Together Alliance national march against the Far Right down in London, EIS will refund travel expenses).
Hopefully we will have good news soon about our dispute. Either way, though, we have already shown what we can achieve when we are Union Strong and the progress made up to now is thanks to every member who voted in the ballots. A particular tribute to all our reps, who worked so hard to get the vote out.
Enjoy your weekend, stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other – including by having each other’s backs during any industrial action.
Alison
Secretary's Update 3 March 2026
Dear EIS Member
I hope you are well.
This is quite a short bulletin – mostly I just want to draw your attention to all the info here. On that page you will see:
A link to an EIS-commissioned research project on teachers’ experience of violence and aggression at work – the more people who register to take part in this, the better.
A link to info about our LA AGM.
A link to info about a rally in support of Napier University’s EIS branch (they are striking in opposition to compulsory redundancies). Whilst most of you will not be able to make the rally (which is on Thursday) I do hope you will all sign this petition here, in support of their efforts, and share it with friends and family.
Info about the Together Alliance march and rally in London on 28th March. If any EIS member is able to join the Scottish TU block on this march, we will refund you your travel expenses (the link to book travel is on the page).
One other link I-BEST 2026 Survey - 3rd edition United Kingdom (Page 1 of 11). To quote from the first page, this is your chance to “Participate in the International Barometer of Education Staff Survey on health and well-being ... Please take fifteen minutes to answer this international survey. Your answers will help identify solutions to improve the health and well-being of education staff worldwide. I-BEST (International Barometer of Education Staff) is an international barometer that assesses health and well-being factors at work for education staff. This is the 3rd edition of this survey (after 2021 and 2023). Previous editions gathered nearly 35,000 responses from 11 countries and territories. Results have informed advocacy actions to improve working conditions for education staff. Your participation will help track the evolution of these issues and identify new levers for action.”
I hope you have a good week. Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 27 February 2026
Dear EIS Member
Nearly the weekend!
Ballot
If there is anyone who still hasn't posted their ballot, it needs to go in the post box TODAY! Make sure your voice is heard. The ballot closes on Wednesday, so we should get results shortly after that.
LA AGM - Wednesday 18th March 5pm
Please make every effort to come along to the LA AGM on 18th March at 5pm here in 46 Moray Place. This is your chance to hear about the work of the Local Association (including our next steps in the workload campaign), to debate motions and to meet fellow members. More info here, and the link to register to attend in person is here, or online (Teams) is here.
The motions that will be debated at the AGM are here. It is open to all members to submit amendments to these motions - anyone who wants to do so must send them to edinburghla@eis.org.uk by noon on Thursday 12th March. Amendments are designed to improve motions (so, clearer wording, or making it more focused, or additional ideas that support the main thrust). Amendments that seek to change the fundamental aim of the motion will be ruled incompetent - if a member disagrees with a motion, then what they should do is come along and argue against that motion. That way, we get healthy debate.
CEC budget
Many of you will have seen coverage of yesterday's CEC budget debate (e.g. https://news.stv.tv/east-central/edinburgh-council-tax-to-rise-by-4-as-lib-dems-and-conservatives-strike-deal). As you would expect, the Edinburgh LA made a deputation to the council. We welcomed the fact that there were no planned cuts to education - but pointed out that this comes after many years of cuts and underinvestment, and far more is needed if our city's pupils are going to get the education they deserve. There is, in this budget, investment in ASN - both additional support staff (PSAs and PSOs) and infrastructure (improving and expanding support bases, looking at the special schools estate) - which I think it is fair to say has arisen in large part because of our years of campaigning. We also highlighted the issues around DSM (schools needing clear and reliable financial information, for core costs not to be shifted onto schools, and the need for more money in the DSM budget). The need to tackle violence at work and the impacts of dysregulated behaviours was also acknowledged by everyone - indeed, this was one of the key drivers behind the money going into ASN.
Enjoy your weekend, when it finally arrives. Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update - 13 February 2026
Dear EIS Member
Half term is finally here! A few important updates before you sign off for a much-needed break.
Ballot
Quite a few Edinburgh EIS members are not covered by the current statutory ballot, so I am not proposing to put much about it in this bulletin - those who are in scope should be getting targeted ballot info from me and from HQ. If you think you should be getting ballot info and haven't received anything, email edinburghla@eis.org.uk and/or membership@eis.org.uk and we will try to figure out why not.
The Edinburgh LA
Whilst our office bearers for 2026/27 formally take up position at our LA AGM, I can confirm now that all current post holders have been nominated unopposed, and will be continuing into the next session. We'll also be formally confirming the makeup of our exec at that meeting, though I am delighted that so many of our current members have felt able to stay on. You can see more info here https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/edinburghexecutivemembers.
Do also try and come along to the LA AGM, which is on Wednesday 18th March. Click here for more info, including the hybrid option for those who need it. Deadline for submitting motions is noon today (Friday 13th) so, depending on when this arrives with you, you might just be able to sneak in under the wire, if you have a burning issue you want to address... 🙂
UNCRC Event
Our colleagues at EIS HQ warmly welcome you to join the University of Strathclyde at EIS Edinburgh HQ for Exploring UNCRC in the Classroom on Monday 16th March, 1:15-4:15pm (with lunch from 12:30pm).
This highly interactive course will:
Explore what UNCRC is - the law and application, and what it means in the classroom.
Explore what it means in balance with the rights of teachers.
Dispel common myths that may lead to misunderstandings of the topic.
Please book your place via the online booking form. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. If you are on the waiting list, any available places will be offered up until the day before the course.
Napier University Strikes
Many of you will have seen coverage of the strikes at Napier University (you can find out more here https://www.eis.org.uk/ula/disputeenu). Edinburgh office bearers have been going along to the pickets to show solidarity - if, over the holiday, you are passing one of the campuses, do pop along to show your support (many of us will remember how much public support meant to us when we were on picket lines outside our schools, during the pay strikes).
Learning Rep Newsletter
Our fabulous Learning Reps for Edinburgh have just published their February Newsletter. Please have a read through the attached PDF and you can keep up to date with their work further on the Learning Reps page of our website: https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/learningreps
I hope you have a very relaxing half term (though, if you still have a ballot paper waiting to be posted, please do that before you switch off for the week). Stay safe and well (and warm and dry!) and let's keep on being kind to each other, and to ourselves.
Alison
Secretary's Update - 23 January 2026
Dear EIS Member
Nearly the weekend! A few important updates before you sign off...
Have you checked your details on the database?
We need every single member to log into the member area of www.eis.org.uk and check that their personal details, especially their postal address, is correct. PLEASE DO THIS TODAY! If you have any problems doing this email either edinburghla@eis.org.uk or membership@eis.org.uk.
Meet the General Secretary - Wednesday 28th 5pm
The EIS is OUR union. The person charged with overseeing how it works on our behalf, and how it delivers on the priorities the members have set (via AGM etc) is our General Secretary, Andrea Bradley. On Wednesday, you have a chance to talk to her directly about how well you think the EIS is doing. Details about venue, and a link to register, here (that link also have info about Edinburgh and Lothian's Stand Up to Racism Unity Festival, happening next Saturday).
Get more involved in the EIS
The EIS is a member-led union - but that means we need members to be involved, drive priorities etc. I've already sent out detailed info about different ways of doing this (submitting motions for the LA AGM, joining the exec, standing for office etc). The various deadlines for these things are looming. If you go here and scroll down to the update of 15th Jan, you will find all the info you need.
Mobile phones in schools consultation
This is obviously a hot topic just now, with things moving at pace. CEC is consulting parents, pupils and staff about whether the current primary school ban should be expanded. If you haven't had a link to the survey (I know some HTs have sent it on already) you'll find it here.
If you are a parent of an Edinburgh pupil, you might want to complete that survey, too - link is here.
Tackling Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
CEC is committed to improving how it tackles sexual harassment in the workplace. As part of this, it has asked all unions to draw this information to the attention of members (again, some of you may already be aware of this, as HR has been trying to ensure employees are aware of this info - this is a belt-and-braces approach).
As you will be aware, over the last few months we have been working with Close the Gap to develop in person Sexual Harassment Training for colleagues and we have just recently launched the first few sessions for February and March. While initially targeted at managers, this session is open to all colleagues who want to improve their understanding of what sexual harassment is, how it can occur in the workplace and how to respond effectively. While our policy and the online learning provide helpful foundations, joining this session allows for richer dialogue, scenario-based activities and the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive environment. It also reinforces our collective commitment to maintaining a workplace where everyone feels respected and heard. If you would like to attend please sign up for the event on myLearning Hub. There are currently 3 sessions available on the MLH, but more will be released across the year, and we are hoping to have sessions at a mix of locations, so it is easier for colleagues to attend.
I hope you have a good weekend. I also hope to see many of you on Wednesday, when we meet the General Secretary. In the meantime, stay safe and well, keep on being kind to each other and check your details on the database!
Alison
Secretary's Update - 16 January 2026
Dear EIS Member
A couple of quick local updates. I know many of you will be wondering about the ballot, but that is national, so information around that will be issued by HQ. Obviously, once we know the national picture, I will be back in touch about what we will be doing in Edinburgh.
VERY important update for anyone who is going to be long term absent for ANY reason
Anyone who is going on maternity leave, taking an employment break, is long-term absent etc, needs to ensure that their CEC account is suspended. To quote directly from the Orb guidance to managers: "If an employee is on maternity, adoption, or other long term absence, their account should be suspended. It's important you complete the correct form as soon as you can to ensure they still have their work emails and files when they return. Failure to suspend an account will lead to an employee’s user account being automatically and permanently deleted (meaning their files or emails will not be recoverable)."
However, we are now hearing that emails may not, in fact, be covered by this, as they are not seen as "storage", and it is storage that is protected during suspension. We're pursuing this as a matter of urgency with CEC but, for now, if you know you are going to be absent for any length of time, it might well be a sensible precaution to ensure that any critical emails are saved into storage.
Educators for Peace
Apologies for the short notice, but Educators for Peace are running a workshop on Monday that may well be of interest to members - certainly their earlier workshops have had very good feedback. For more info about that, and other upcoming events, including Edinburgh and Lothian's Stand Up to Racism's Unity Carnival, here: https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest.
I hope you have a good weekend. Stay safe and well (and warm!) and let's keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update - 15 January 2026 (pt. 2)
Dear EIS Member
The EIS is proud to be a member-led union. But this only happens if members take advantage of the many opportunities they have to participate in the democratic structures of the union. Below are some very important ways you can make sure your voice is heard in your union.
Attend the Local Association AGM – Wednesday 18th March 5pm 46 Moray Place
The LA AGM is where the work of the local association is scrutinised by members (office bearers give reports on our work over the last year), where election results are confirmed and, very importantly, where local and national motions are debated and voted on. This last is what drives our work. So, please do come along to the meeting. You can register here: https://www.eis.org.uk/content/courseregistration/1253.
Moray Place is central, so accessible by public transport, and there is plenty of parking available (we will cover costs). Do note that hybrid is possible, though I would urge as many as possible to attend in person, as that is much better for being able to engage in debate. If there is something you feel we should be doing that we are not, or if there is something we are doing you feel we should stop, this is your chance to make your views known.
Submit Motions to the LA AGM
If there is something you feel needs to be a priority moving forward, please consider submitting a motion to the LA AGM. These can be on local or national matters (local ones are obviously actioned by the LA Exec – if we pass a national motion, that goes forward for debate at the national AGM in June). Motions are best submitted by branches, though individual members are free to put something forward in their own name. If you want advice on what topics are suitable for motions, or on how to frame a motion so that it will be judged competent, email our organiser Eilidh Gittus, egittus@eis.org.uk, who can help (since the President’s Committee rules on the competency of motions, we feel it is fairer for office bearers not to be involved in this).
There is also some general advice on the website on writing motions. The deadline for submitting motions is noon on 13th February (they should be sent to edinburghla@eis.org.uk), but I would encourage you to get advice in advance for this. We cannot accept motions submitted after this deadline.
Meet the General Secretary – Wednesday 28th January at 5pm in James Gillespie’s High School
Our General Secretary, Andrea Bradley, is the leader of our union. It’s really important that members hear directly from her, and that she hears directly from members. So please come along to our “Meet the General Secretary” event, which you can register for here: https://www.eis.org.uk/content/courseregistration/1226. Again, James Gillespie’s is well served by public transport, and there is also plenty of free parking in the school car park.
Stand for Election!
One of the most powerful ways to influence the EIS is to become more formally involved in the various bodies. All Edinburgh members are entitled to stand for the Local Executive (which is capped at 30 – we are very close to being full, so may well have elections if additional people stand) or to stand as a candidate for one of our office bearer posts (LA Sec, Assistant Sec, President, Vice President, Treasurer). We are also entitled to send a delegation to the national AGM, which is the governing meeting of the national union. You will find all the application forms on your MyEIS portal (you'll need to log in, or register using your EIS number if you have not done so before). The deadline for submission is 31st January.
The EIS is YOUR union – make sure your voice is heard!
Alison
Secretary's Update - 15 January 2026
Dear EIS Member
I hope you are having a good week. This is a particularly busy time for all of us, with lots of very different things going on, so I am likely to be sending a few different emails in the coming days, on different topics. Please bear with me!
Heather Stirling
Many of you will have seen the tribute to Heather in the most recent SEJ. Last Friday, a number of us were privileged to attend Heather’s funeral service – a touching farewell to an amazing woman. I’d like to thank all those members who sent in tributes; these were compiled into a book which we shared with Heather’s daughters, who were clearly moved to see evidence of the high regard in which she was held, and to know about how much she helped so many people. The family requested that there were no flowers, but did ask for donations to two charities close to Heather’s heart – links are here, in case any of you wish to make a donation in her honour.
Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home: https://edch.org.uk/donate/
OCHRE Oesophageal Cancer Research: https://ochrecharity.org.uk/.
GTCS Elections
Everyone should have received an email from GTCS, asking you to vote for members of the GTCS Council. Please do use your vote! It’s really important that we have strong teacher voices at the heart of GTCS. If you go to https://www.eis.org.uk/in-education/gtcselections2026 you will see the candidates that the EIS is endorsing, and I would urge you to vote for them.
As I said, more to follow – including updates on next steps around our workload campaign, once the results of our ballot are known (and thanks to all those members who voted!). For now, stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind.
Alison
Secretary's Update - 5 January 2026
Dear EIS Member
Happy New Year!! I hope you are well, and had a relaxing holiday. I also hope today's INSET day is proving a gentle reintroduction to the world of work...
Ballot - Last Chance to Vote
Hopefully by now every Edinburgh member has exercised their democratic rights and has returned their ballot paper. If you haven't, the ballot closes on 14th, so you need to get that paper in the post now if your voice is going to be heard. If you have lost/did not receive a ballot paper, urgently email ballot@eis.org.uk - if you do so today or tomorrow, there should be time to get a new one issued. If you have lost the link that HQ has sent out, asking you to confirm you have voted, then just email me at edinburghla@eis.org.uk, saying "Voted" in the subject line, and I can update your records.
Those of you who have voted, please do remind fellow members about the importance of them doing the same. We really do need all members to participate.
EIS National Manifesto Launch/Edinburgh EIS Winter Social
For the last few years, we have, in January, held an enjoyable social evening for all members. This year, the date we had selected matches with when HQ is launching the national manifesto, in advance of the Scottish Parliament elections. So, we are combing the two. If you want to join us at the Kimpton Hotel, 38 Charlotte Square, EH2 4HQ, from 18.15, then please register here. This is an excellent opportunity for members to meet, mingle, hear from senior officers and office bearers about our priorities for the election, and also to chat to fellow members from across Scotland.
Meet the General Secretary - Wednesday 28th January 5pm
Another important opportunity for all member to hear about the national work of the union, and to share their views on what they feel the EIS should be prioritising, is our "Meet the General Secretary" event on 28th January. More info, and the registration info, here https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest.
Stand Up to Racism Unity Carnival - Saturday 31st January
Another event many of you will want to support is the Unity Carnival being organised by Stand Up to Racism. It has never been more urgent that we come together to celebrate the value of our diverse community, and the things that bind us together. More info here https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest.
I hope your week goes well, and that the return to work isn't too traumatic. 🙂 Stay safe and well - and warm - and let's keep on being kind to each other. Including by voting!
Alison
Secretary's Update - 19 December 2025
Dear EIS Member
The holidays are finally here!!
If, like me, you are so tired you were beginning to doubt you could make it to today, then you will know why our workload ballot is so important. We need every eligible member to post their ballot paper, so that the government and COSLA realise that we have had enough of fine words and empty promises. The current situation is completely intolerable and it is making people ill - not to mention all the negative impacts on pupils, due to our stress and overload. So, if you have been meaning to put the envelope in the post box but just haven't gotten around to it, do it today! If you've lost it in the festive madness, email ballot@eis.org.uk and a new one can be sent out.
Once you've voted, confirm you have done so via the personal link you will have had from EIS HQ (if you've lost that, email edinburghla@eis.org.uk and we can update the records to show you have votes). So, as an act of holiday solidarity with every member who is overworked, every member who has signed off because of overwork, and every member who can't get a permanent job, despite there clearly being more than enough work to go around, VOTE TODAY!
Now that I have gotten that off my chest, I want to thank every member who has shown solidarity with the union this term - be that by attending a meeting, answering a survey, reading my emails (🙂), voting, or doing anything else to show that we are an active union where members have each other's backs. I hope all of you have a well deserved and much needed break, and I look forward to seeing you in 2026.
Stay safe and well, be kind to each other, and Happy Holidays!
Alison
Secretary's Update - 18 December 2025
Dear EIS Member
Nearly the holidays....
Ballot
I've talked to a lot of members who tell me they have voted (which is great!) but who haven't let EIS know they've voted. Please do both! Not only will it allow us to focus our "get out the vote" efforts at where they are most needed, it will also allow me to relax a bit over the holiday, if I can see that we have already crashed through the anti-trade-union barriers set in our way. We are democratic union, so it really is important every eligible member has their say over this campaign.
CEC Colleague Networks
CEC has a number of networks, aimed at supporting employe who, traditionally, have faced barriers in their employment. You can find the full list, plus info about what each one does here on the Orb. Teachers tend to be under-represented in these networks, which is something CEC is keen to address and which should be of benefit to members, since these networks are consulted over policy and practice, and can really help drive improvement. So, please consider whether you might want to get involved.
There's a bit more info about the STRIDE network here: https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/equalitymatters (also has other useful equalities-related links) so, if you are LGBT+ have a read and see if you would like to get involved. We'll add further info about the other networks as it comes in.
Pay Reconciliation - Please be aware of this!
Anyone who changes employment part-way through a school year (that could be moving from one local authority to another, getting a promotion, starting a career break, etc) will be subject to pay reconciliation. This is a complex matter (you can find the SNCT rules around it here) but, in essence, because our holiday pay is spread evenly through the year, but our holiday days are not, people who change part way through a year may either have been paid for holidays they haven't taken, or not paid for holidays they have. Hence the need for an adjustment. Over the course of 12 months it should all even out - but, in the initial months of the change, you might find you get paid less than expected from one local authority or more from another, which can cause real distress.
It's impossible to be more specific than this here, as it is so dependent on individual circumstances but the key points are:
Be aware that this is something that will happen if you have any change to your pay at any point other than right at the beginning of the school year.
Be aware that if you are overpaid, you will have to pay it back (though there should always be agreement as to how this is done, so as not to cause hardship - if the proposed schedule is not reasonable, you are quite within your rights to ask for a different arrangement).
if you think the calculation/pay is wrong, first raise a ticket with AskHR and get them to send you the calculation.
If you still think it is wrong, then get in touch with me and I will see what I can do.
Do remember that the people working in HR/payroll are just implementing the nationally agreed rules - it's not their fault and giving them a hard time about this is neither fair nor helpful....
Upcoming Events
Go to eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest to see more info about our "Meet the General Secretary" event on 28th Jan, and about Stand Up to Racism's Unity Carnival on 31st Jan.
Congratulations to one of our Exec members!
Some of you may have already seen this Herald article about an Edinburgh teacher who is on a panel judging a prestigious new history teaching award. Katie Hunter is also a member of our local executive, bringing her insight and expertise into the service of the EIS. Hopefully many of you saw the email sent out yesterday, explaining how members can become more involved in the local association, including by joining the Exec. So, maybe give some thought as to whether you want to join Katie, and many other teachers and activists, in this vital work.
I hope the last couple of days (could maybe start counting it in hours now!) are going well. Don't forget to post your ballot - get it in the post box before you sign off for the holiday!
Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update - 12 December 2025
Almost the weekend. And almost the holidays. A couple of quick updates for you.
Pay Award and Back Pay
CEC is aiming to deliver both our pay uplift and backpay on Monday 22nd December, and they have confirmed that they are aiming to process all supply teacher backpay for the same deadline. There’s more information, including what to do if you think there’s an issue with your pay, here https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/frequently-asked-questions (we are trying to develop our FAQs page – do keep an eye on this, as we gradually add more answers).
Ballot – Please confirm you have voted
Anti-trade union laws mean that we have to cross the 50% turnout to be able to hold a strike. More importantly, a high YES:YES vote will send a really strong message to Scottish Government and COSLA that we are no going to tolerate the crises of unsustainable workload and precarious working, and that we demand that the government deliver on its own manifesto promise to cut class contact time. Since a high turnout is so important, we’ll be spending a lot of time next week reaching out to reps, branches and individuals who have not confirmed that they have voted, to encourage them to put that crucial ballot paper in the post before we break for Christmas.
So, a personal plea from me is for every eligible member to look for the link that will have been sent to you by EIS HQ in either a text or an email (or both) and confirm that you have voted. It will save me an enormous amount of time and effort, and enable us to focus our efforts on where they are needed (note that that the link is individual to each member, which is why I can’t share it here – you have to use the one sent directly to you by EISH HQ).
I hope you have a great weekend, when it finally arrives. Stay safe and well, and keep on being kind to each other – and let’s show our kindness and our solidarity by voting!
Alison
Secretary's Update - 9 December 2025
Dear EIS Member,
The holidays are fast approaching – I suspect I am not alone in simultaneously welcoming that fact and freaking out about everything that needs to be done before we break up… To which end, straight on to the bulletin.
Have you voted? And have you confirmed you have voted?
The anti-trade union laws that govern statutory ballots make it very hard for unions to be able to effectively mobilise members in support of campaigns. That is why it is SO important that all eligible members not only vote, but confirm with HQ that they have done so. Every member covered by the ballot will have had emails from HQ, asking them to confirm if they have voted – PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK IN THAT EMAIL!!!! If you haven’t received the email from HQ, and you are definitely covered by the dispute (click here to check, and for other info related to this campaign), then email ballot@eis.org.uk to ask for it to be reissued.
If nothing else, knowing that most members in Edinburgh have voted would enable me to relax a bit over the holiday, so I would be personally incredibly grateful if you would all do this...
Supply teacher meeting - today (Tuesday 9th Dec) at 5.15pm:
Click here to join, or email edinburghla@eis.org.uk for a calendar invite. It would be really helpful if anyone attending could email questions in advance, so I can try to find answers. Do also remember that we have a lot of info for supply teachers on our website here - some of the answers to questions people have sent in can already be found there.
Dates for your diary (more details to follow):
22nd January - Edinburgh LA social/EIS manifesto launch
28th January - Meet the General Secretary (a chance to hear from our EIS General Secretary, Andrea Bradley, and for you to ask her questions about the work of the union)
Have a good week. Stay safe and well (and dry!) and let's keep on being kind to each other (and I would appreciate the kindness of members registering their votes 🙂).
Alison
Secretary's Update - 3 December 2025
I hope you are well. Hard to believe it is December already. Some important updates for you.
Have you voted???
There are so many reasons why it is important that all eligible members vote in the statutory ballot. One is that it will create many more permanent posts, and so help the hundreds of teachers stuck in a cycle of temporary contracts and precarious working - often for years. Those of us lucky enough to have the security of permanent working really do owe it to our colleagues to stand with them, and voting in the ballot is a really great way of showing solidarity.
You can find many more reasons why this vote matters here: https://www.eis.org.uk/teacher-workload/workloadballot - there is also a list of FAQs, including what to do if you haven't had your ballot paper, why some members aren't being balloted etc.
Everyone covered by the ballot will have received an email from EIS HQ, asking them to confirm whether they have voted. Please respond to this, as it really helps us focus our efforts on getting the vote out where they are most needed.
All-member Ballot Meeting Tomorrow (Thursday 4th)
If you have questions or concerns about the ballot, and any subsequent action, or if you want to discuss how we can increase member engagement with the campaign to tackle workload, do come along to the all member meeting tomorrow, at James Gillespie's High School. More info here: https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest. It's not essential to register in advance, but it does help me judge how many biscuits to buy...
Meeting for Supply Teachers - Tuesday 9th December 5.15 on Teams
This is a chance for supply teachers, or those doing a succession of temporary contracts, to raise matters of concern, and also to hear about what we are doing, both locally and nationally, to try to improve things for supply colleagues. You can join the meeting by Clicking Here or reply to this email if you want a calendar invite. It would be incredibly helpful if you could email in questions or topics you want to cover in advance - send them to edinburghla@eis.org.uk.
Education for All - We Will Not be Divided
Please see https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/education-for-all-we-will-not-be-divided/ for information on an online meeting being organised by Stand Up to Racism to discuss the attacks on education, and the attempts to split communities, being made by the far right. Even if you can't attend the meeting, please do sign the letter, which is supported by the EIS and a number of other trade unions and community organisations.
Responding to Member Queries
The messages of sympathy and support that have been received here in the office have been a huge comfort to all of us in the local association who knew Heather, and we will be sharing them with her family, who have already told me how touched they have been to know how much Heather was loved. As I am sure you will appreciate, dealing with everything over the last couple of weeks has been challenging, and I am conscious that I have not been able to get back to members in a timely fashion. If you have emailed in an urgent question or concern and not had a respond, please do resend it. If it is something that can wait a week or two, please do allow us some time to catch up, but do get in touch again if you haven't had a response by mid-December.
As always, stay safe and well, let's keep on being kind to each other, and let's get the vote out!
Alison
Secretary's Update - 26 November 2025
Dear EIS Member,
I hope you are well. Some very important updates for you.
Workload Ballot:
Please make sure you have voted! Also, please make sure you have responded to the email you should have received from EIS HQ yesterday, asking you to confirm whether you have done so - this really helps us track engagement.
There are LOTS of reasons why this ballot is so important. I'll be sharing different ones over the coming weeks. This is just one that is quite pertinent, given tomorrow is pay day in Edinburgh... Independent research shows that, on average, Scottish teachers are doing 11.5 hours unpaid overtime each week. That's nearly a third extra on top of the time that we are actually being paid to work. So, look at your pay tomorrow and work out what 1/3 of that is - that's the amount by which you are subsidising Scottish education... If you don't want that to continue, and to get worse, MAKE SURE YOU VOTE YES: YES!
Ballot meeting - Thursday 4th December:
There will be an in-person meeting for all members on Thursday 4th December, to discuss the ballot, answer any questions members might have, talk about why winning this is so important, and look at what we can do to tackle the workload crisis and build member engagement in this campaign. We're having the meeting in James Gillespie's High School - this is a central location, so easy for public transport, but there is also ample free parking on site. The main part of the meeting will start at 5pm - but, if you are close by and just want to pop in straight after work, we will be there, and available to chat, from 4pm. Whilst you can just turn up on the day, it would really help us know how many biscuits to buy if those planning to come would register here. You can also see more info about the meeting here.
STUC St Andrew's Day March and Rally - Saturday 29th:
Please come along to support this very important annual event. We have seen far too many instances of the Far Right marching on our streets and spreading hate and division. This is an opportunity for the whole trade union movement to spread a more positive message. You can see more details about the march here. We will cover the costs of travel through to Glasgow - and some of us will be aiming to get the 9.45 train through from Waverley Station, so if you want to travel as a group, head to Boots on the concourse and look out for EIS hats and flags. Again, just turning up on the day is fine, but it would be helpful to have an indication in advance if you are planning to come, so I know how many flags to bring (dropping me a quick email at edinburghla@eis.org.uk is fine).
Stand Up to Racism march and rally - Falkirk Saturday 6th December:
Another important opportunity to oppose the politics of hate and division is being organised by Stand Up to Racism. You can find more information about this here
Finally, I want to thank everyone who has been offering sympathy and kind messages on the loss of our wonderful Heather. If you do want to send us something to share with her family, please email it in by Monday.
Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other - and to ourselves.
Alison
Secretary's Update - 7 November 2025
Dear EIS Member,
I hope you have had a good week. It's certainly been busy! Quite a few updates for you.
Wear Red Day
Huge thanks to all those schools who supported this initiative, aimed at raising awareness of the scandal of teachers trapped in precarious working. Hopefully many of you saw the press coverage (e.g. in the Edinburgh Evening News) and we hope to follow this up with more coverage to ensure that this matter is kept before politicians and the public. You might be interested to know that this Day of Action was planned in direct response to a motion brought by Edinburgh members to the EIS national council - a clear sign of the EIS being a member-led union. The more that members participate in the democratic structures of the union, the stronger we are.
Pay Offer
The vote on whether to accept the pay offer closes on Monday - this is a very short turnaround, but that is to try to ensure that, if members do vote to accept (which is the recommendation by our Salaries Committee), the uplift can be applied before Christmas. Do make sure you have your say.
Statutory ballot opens on Wednesday!
It's really important that you have checked that your postal address is up to date, so that you can make sure your voice is heard in our ballot on workload - this is our best chance to start to make a positive difference (not to mention all the permanent jobs that will be created). Ballot papers will start arriving soon. You should have received more information from HQ about the plans for this ballot, including a national online meeting on November 18th (if you do not have the email, first check your junk folder and also your communication settings on the national website, to be sure you haven't opted out). If you still can't find it, contact membership@eis.org.uk, and they should be able to help.
We will be holding an in-person meeting for all Edinburgh members on 4th December - more details to follow, but hold the date.
Do check out the national FAQs page as well: https://www.eis.org.uk/workload-ballot/statballotfaqs
Gaza: A Story of Love and War - Wednesday 12th November
I hope to see many of you at the screening of this incredibly powerful film, where two journalists, one from Wales, one from Gaza, talk about how their family histories have intersected with the history of Palestine and Israel since 1948. The film has been updated with an interview held in the last couple of weeks, describing the current situation in Gaza, and Tracy Gilbert MP will be interviewed about what the UK Government has, and should be, doing in response to the unfolding crisis. More info, and the link to book a ticket, here https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest.
Finishing a temporary contract?
If you are coming to the end of a temporary contract, and want to remain on the CEC supply list, it is very important that your school BM does NOT tick the “organisational leaver” box on the leaver form, as this will remove you entirely from the council’s system. Instead, they should tick the “positional leaver” option. CEC HR is sending out additional info to BMs, to remind them of this, but it would be worth individual members also double-checking with their BM, just to be on the safe side as, once you are fully removed from the system, getting back on can be a lengthy process and you will not be able to get supply work whilst it is ongoing.
Educators for Peace Event
Educators for Peace have produced a lesson plan and accompanying resources to support teachers to engage their students in discussions around flag raising and the far right -something that I know is of concern to many. This lesson will be launched at their next online webinar ‘Curricular Justice in a Complex World’. You can book a plan here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1884591677439
St Andrew's Day March and Rally - 29th November
There is always a good EIS presence at this annual anti-racism march and rally in Glasgow. So, once again, hold the date and we will be in touch soon with more info.
Remember, office bearers are keen to come out to branches, whether to talk about the ballot, or about issues specific to your school. Do get in touch if you want to arrange something.
Have a good weekend. Stay safe and well, keep on being kind, and be sure to vote!
Alison
Secretary's Update - 22 October 2025
Dear EIS member,
I hope you are well, and had an enjoyable half term. I also hope the return to work is going as smoothly as it can. A few quick updates for you.
Getting ballot ready!
It is vital that every member checks the EIS website to make sure that all their details, particularly their home address and place of work, is up to date. This will help us ensure that everyone who is entitled to vote gets their say. Remember that anti-trade union laws mean that this has to be a postal vote, and that we have to have a minimum 50% turnout, so every vote really does count. Make sure you have your say on action to tackle our completely out-of-control workload! We will, in the coming weeks, be organising all-member meetings to go over why this ballot is so important, but if you want one of us from the LA to come to your branch to talk to your school about the issues, get in touch and one of us can do this. You'll find more info from EIS HQ about all this here.
Scotland Demands Better! March and rally this Saturday (25th October):
Far too often, lately, we have seen large numbers turning out to support far right causes. On Saturday, it is our chance to fill the streets of Edinburgh with people making the case for a positive change. Please do come along to demand that our leaders prioritise jobs, investment and support for the many, not the few. Whilst you can just turn up on the day, it would be really helpful if we had a bit of an idea of numbers in advance so, if you are planning on coming, click here and scroll down - that will also give you more details about what is happening on the day, and the aims of the march.
Wear Red Day of Action:
Hopefully everyone got the email about the National Day of Action on 5th November, in support of all our members stuck on temporary contracts, or unable to find regular work at all. You can read more about this here. This is a massive issue in Edinburgh, and I really would urge all branches to support this. Make sure you wear red, make sure you get together as a branch to take photos to post on social media (and also send them in to the office, so we can use them) and you might also want to use this opportunity to have a branch meeting about the ballot, as reducing class contact time would create a large number of additional permanent jobs.
Deleting accounts after 90 days:
Any CEC account that is inactive for over 90 days will be automatically and permanently deleted. So, if you know you are going to be away for a while (career break, parental leave etc) it is vital you check that your manager has arranged for your account to be suspended, so that you don't lose everything. If you/anyone you know in your school is off sick long term, it is really important that the same thing is done. You can find out how to suspend an account here.
CEC staff survey:
Everyone should have received an email with the link to the latest CEC staff survey. I would urge you all to complete this - CEC needs to hear directly from its staff about their experience of working for the council. You can find the link here.
I'll be in touch again soon with more info, as there is lots going on here in the local office. In the meantime, though, stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other - including by ensuring we all vote to reduce our workload!
Alison
Secretary's Update - 10 October 2025
Dear EIS Member,
Half term is finally here! I just wanted to send a very quick bulletin to wish you all a great holiday and much needed rest. And, of course, to urge you all to make sure you are ballot-ready for when we come back!
We are all far more exhausted than we should be at this time of year, and that is because of years of unsustainable workload. Unless Scottish Government fulfils its own promise to reduce our class contact time, things will only get worse – and it seems clear that both Scottish Government and COSLA only start to take things seriously when we threaten industrial action. So, PLEASE make sure your contact details on the EIS website are correct – particularly your postal address, as a statutory ballot has to be postal. If your address is wrong, you will not be able to vote, and your voice will not be heard.
Go to SU4QE Update October 2025 | EIS to read more about the ballot and how to update your details.
Once again, my best wishes for a good holiday. Stay safe and well, keep on being kind, and let’s get ready to fight together to finally start to reduce our workload.
Alison
Secretary's Update - 2 October 2025
Dear EIS Member,
I hope you are having a good week. A few updates for you.
Scotland Demands Better - Saturday 25th October
It is really important that there is a good turnout for this march and rally. We need to give a positive message that the people of Scotland are coming together to demand an end to poverty and to build a society that works for all. It would be great to see lots of school groups and banners there – talk to other members in your branch about whether you will walk as a group. You can find lots more info about the march here https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest, and I would encourage you to sign up if you are coming, so we know how many flags to bring along.
Fife LA are organising buses for their members, and anyone who lives in Fife is welcome to join them – details in the same link. Given the march is in Edinburgh, it is clearly not worth us organising buses, but we will cover travel expenses – just keep your tickets and you will be able to claim back fares.
Probationer Mentors
Anyone who is mentoring a probationer in a school should be getting 1 hour/week to enable them to undertake this vital work. If that is not happening, you should raise this with CEC's probationer manager, Rosie McColl – if that does not resolve things, contact the LA office and we will support.
BME Education Staff Conference
CEC has asked us to share the following with staff:
We’re delighted to invite colleagues who identify as from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to our first Black and Minority Ethnic Staff Conference of session 2025-26.
When: Monday 20th October, 9.00 – 10.30am
Where: Tynecastle HS
We are particularly keen to see more of our support and supply staff attending the conference so please share and forward the attached invitation with them.
RSVP by 6th Oct by filling in this brief MS form. Thank you
HTs are being asked to promote the event, encourage their BME staff and release them for the morning so they attend.
Supply Teachers
Remember that CEC is holding an information session for all supply teachers on Tuesday. Details were in the September supply newsletter – you can find a copy here https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/supply and the link to the training session is in the newsletter.
PSLs
A meeting of Edinburgh EIS PSL network will take place on Wednesday 22nd October at 5pm at the EIS offices at Moray Place. This will be a chance for PSLs to get together and discuss current and long-standing issues facing PSLs across the city.
Light refreshments will be available, and travel/parking expenses will be reimbursed.
Thank you to those of you who have already indicated attendance. If you wish to come along, please indicate so by emailing edinburghlapresident@eis.org.uk
Secondary Teachers
All secondary schools should have received info about our Any Education Questions - Youth Event that we are running on 24th October. It's a chance for senior pupils to ask questions of councillors and Jackie Reid about the education they receive. Please encourage them to sign up – if your school doesn't have the posters with the QR code on display, get in touch and we can send out more copies and, in the meantime, the link is here: Sign up on Eventbrite.
I hope you have a good weekend, when it finally arrives, and that you are looking forward to a proper break over the half-term, which is getting tantalisingly close. In the meantime, stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other. And let's march together on 25th October, to demand better for ourselves, our pupils and our communities.
Alison
Secretary's Update - 24 September 2025
Dear EIS Member,
I hope you are well. Quite a few updates for you.
Updating details on EIS database
A reminder that it is vital that we have up-to-date details for all members - particularly email, home address and where you are currently working. PLEASE go to www.eis.org.uk and check that everything is correct. This is even more important than usual, in light of our ongoing campaign around workload and reduced class contact time (see https://www.eis.org.uk/campaigns/WorkLoadBallot for the latest updates).
Supply Teachers
Everyone on Teacher Booker should all have received a copy of CEC's latest newsletter, which includes an invite to a meeting being run by CEC that will run over quite a few issues that are often raised as concerns (how to use Teacher Booker, understanding payslips, etc). If you haven't received it for any reason, you can find it here, along with other info that might be helpful. We will, after half term, look at setting up an EIS meeting to discuss matters of concern for supply teachers.
Finishing a Fixed Term Contract
If you are coming to the end of a fixed term contract, and want to continue doing supply, it is vital that you check that you have been put back onto Teacher Booker before the contract ends. In other words, your BM needs to mark you as a positional leaver, not an organisational leaver. I really would urge all members to check that this happens, as correcting mistakes afterwards is extremely difficult.
Learning Rep Newsletter
You'll find the latest newsletter from our learning reps here. There is also a lot of other useful information on that page, including support for PRD/PU, and contact details for our learning reps.
PACTivism in Practice - Thursday 2nd October 5pm
More info about this opportunity, which is being run by national EIS, here. An important chance to explore how we can challenge poverty in our schools and communities.
EIS National Organising Conference - Saturday 4th October
More info about this here. A great opportunity for us to further build capacity as an active and effective campaigning union.
Special Schools
Whilst all sectors of education are facing huge challenges, we are acutely aware of the particular issues facing colleagues in our special schools - something thrown into sharp relief at a recent meeting of our ASN network (if you want to find out more about this network, and potentially join this important group, email Edinburgh LA Asst Secretary, Tom Britton, at asstsecretaryedinburghla@eis.org.uk). We are talking to CEC about what actions can be taken to relieve some of the most immediate pressures, and also looking at what longer term and more strategic action is needed. Over the coming weeks, Tom and our organiser Eilidh Gittus will be visiting special schools to talk to members, and to decide what actions we can take together to fight for improvements. Look out for invites to these meetings, and do all you can to attend.
Any Education Questions - Youth Event
Secondary reps should, hopefully, have received posters about this event, which we are running on Friday 24th October, 3:00-4:30pm at Augustine United Church. The format is based on Any Questions/Question Time, with the panel being CEC councillors, Jackie Reid and (hopefully) an MYSP - but we want the audience to be pupils. This is their chance to put their questions to the people who run the schools they attend. Since pupils do need to attend independently (we are not wanting schools to organise groups to attend) it is obviously more suitable for senior students. If you teach pupils you think would be interested, please encourage them to sign up on Eventbrite here. If you want more posters for your school, get in touch and we can send them out.
I hope you have a good rest of the week. Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update - 4 September 2025
Dear EIS Member,
I hope you are well, and looking forward to a rapidly approaching and much needed weekend. A few updates for you.
Keeping Details Up-to-Date
I’ve already asked that all members check that their details on the EIS database are correct (remember – go to www.eis.org.uk and log into the member area). However, it is also vital that you periodically check that CEC, GTCS, and others also have up-to-date info. It is each individual person’s responsibility to do this – and, if GTCS does not have correct details, then you can end up losing your registration if there is a problem with paying fees, uploading PU records, etc. We’ve had a few instances lately where out of date info has caused real difficulties for members. It’s also well worth checking MyHR for things like: whether you on the correct salary point; your absences recorded correctly; emergency contact details.
Joining the Supply List
I’ve had a few queries about this. If you are currently employed by CEC you can join the supply list directly if your HT recommends you. Anyone who is coming to the end of a fixed term contract should ask about this. Remember that if you are part time at a school, and wish to do supply in a different school, you should also join the supply list - again, HTs can recommend you, and the process is pretty straightforward. (Note: if you are doing occasional additional hours in the same school, my understanding is that can be processed internally; however, if it is a regular arrangement, then it might require a contract variation. If you are in doubt, contact me individually for advice.)
Anyone who is not in current employment with CEC and wants to join the list will need to apply when CEC posts supply ads – these are posted at different times, and you will need to keep an eye on My Job Scotland.
Supreme Court Judgement
The implications of April’s Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland vs The Scottish Government are obviously causing huge concerns for staff, pupils, parents, and many others. We are in detailed, ongoing discussions with CEC, EIS HQ, and others about how we can best support members. For an overview of some elements of the discussions, some of you might want to read the deputations made by Edinburgh EIS and other groups to Tuesday’s Education, Children and Families committee, accessible here. We will be making more detailed representations to CEC in the coming weeks as we get further info about some of the legal complexities arising from the judgement. In the meantime, though, if any member wants to reach out for additional support because of concerns they may have, please do get in touch and we will do our best to help.
STUC Supported Demo on Saturday 6th – Stop Arming Israel
Go to https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest to see details of a Stop the War demo happening in Edinburgh this Saturday – this demo is supported by the STUC and ETUC, along with other organisations.
Lots of other things also happening (discussions around mobile phones, ICT, Behaviours of Concern, etc.) so I will be in touch again soon with more info. For now, though, I hope the rest of your week goes well, and you have a good weekend (maybe see some of you at the march on Saturday!)
Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update - 1 September 2025
Dear EIS Member,
Thank you to every single member who voted in the consultative ballot! Hopefully you are all aware of the result, which was communicated out to members from HQ on Friday, and you can find more information here. This ballot has already resulted in both Scottish Government and COSLA finally appearing to take this matter seriously after years of inaction and unmet deadlines. Be assured that we will continue to pressure them to deliver on this commitment, and more information will be sent out to members soon.
I also want to thank all the members of Edinburgh LA's executive committee who met on Saturday to look at how we can continue to build capacity in our branches. That so many people were willing to give up their time to discuss how to continue to build our union's strength – and, indeed, the fact that all the seats on our executive are now taken – is testimony to how we are developing and growing as an activist and campaigning union. In the coming weeks, we will be taking the ideas developed on Saturday and looking to roll them out. In the meantime, if you would like to become more involved, visit our Get Involved page, or get in touch with the office and we can talk through options. We're particularly keen to come out to meet members in schools (and this could include cluster meetings); so, if you think you would be interested in this, email the office and we'll set something up.
Please Update Your Details!
One thing that became clear during the consultative ballot is that many members have not updated their details. In particular, what school they are at and current home addresses. Can you PLEASE take a moment to log into the member area at www.eis.org.uk and check everything is correct. If you can't log in for any reason, get in touch with membership@eis.org.uk and they should be able to help.
HT/DHT Network
All members of our HT/DHT network should have had an email about a number of matters, including a meeting tomorrow evening (Tuesday 2nd). If you didn't receive the email, please email Marni at edinburghla@eis.org.uk. If you are intending to come to the meeting (virtual or in person) make sure you let Marni know in advance so she can send you the link or put your name for the sign-in board.
Defend the Right to Protest – ETUC Meeting Tuesday 2nd September
See our Latest Events page for a meeting happening tomorrow evening, organised by ETUC.
Scotland Demands Better - National March Rally 25th October
The EIS is one of many national bodies supporting this important initiative Scotland Demands Better. We're keen to get a good turnout. Whilst you obviously can just turn up on the day, it would be really helpful to have an idea of numbers in advance, if only so I know how many flags to bring... So, if you think you might be able to come along, please Sign Up Here.
Have a good week. I'll be in touch again soon with more info. In the meantime, though, thanks once again to everyone who supported the union, and fellow teachers, by voting in the ballot.
Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update - 26 August 2025
Dear member
A very important plea to all of you....
Consultative Ballot - Closes on Thursday
This is a final plea to those members who have not yet voted in our consultative ballot to do so before Thursday. We are a UNION, and voting in ballots is one of the most important ways we work together to show solidarity. Unless we support each other, we cannot function effectively. So, if you have not yet done so, please vote now. If you have voted, please try and encourage fellow members to take part. There are lots of reasons why this ballot matters, but three I think are important are:
· This would create more permanent jobs - something that is desperately needed in the primary sector. And I would really hope that members in other sectors would vote as an act of solidarity.
· Reducing class contact time by 1.5 hours will not fix the workload crisis, but it is a start - and it is a promise the Scottish Government made in its last manifesto. We should be holding them to account for failing to deliver on their own commitments.
· If we have more time for planning and preparation for each class we have (which is what this would give us) it would go a small way towards helping us with differentiation and meeting learner needs - again, it is not a fix, but it is a start.
Separately:
ETUC meeting - Defend the Right to Protest
Some members may be interested in this meeting https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest, being organised by the Edinburgh Trades Council.
Getting onto the supply register
We have been contacted by a number of members having issues around this, and we have raised the matter with CEC. Hopefully, everyone is now registered on Teacher Booker (if not, do get back in touch with me - edinburghla@eis.org.uk) and we are talking to Edinburgh about how to make it work better in future. As many of you will know, we have also been doing a lot of work nationally in trying to address some of the issues facing supply colleagues, and I hope that, in the not too distant future, we will be able to have a meeting to discuss. In the meantime, I'd urge all supply members to make sure they have voted in the ballot, as creating more permanent posts would help relieve a lot of the pressures on supply.
HT/DHT network meeting
All HTs/DHTs who have signed up to our network should have had an email about a forthcoming meeting. If you are a HT/DHT and have not received it, please email the office and we can forward.
I'll finish as I began - PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE VOTED. DEADLINE IS THURSDAY!!!
Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other (and voting is one way of doing that 🙂)
Alison
Secretary's Update - 13 August 2025
Dear EIS Member,
Welcome back!
I hope you had a great summer. I also hope the first two INSET days were productive, and that all goes well when pupils return... I'll try and keep this bulletin fairly brief, as many of the things that I know are ongoing issues of concern to members (reporting Behaviours of Concern, workload, etc.) are being discussed with CEC now, and I'll be sending out updates about all of those soon.
Check Your Contact Details
Please ensure your contact details are up to date. This is particularly important if you have moved schools/changed role. Go to www.eis.org.uk and log into the member area to check. I'd also strongly urge you to log into MyHR and check that all the info CEC holds on you is correct – don't forget to check things like your FTE, salary placement, job title, contact details, etc.
Vote in the Consultative Ballot
A huge thanks to the many members who have already done so – but we do still have a significant proportion of members who have not yet voted. We are a UNION and that means showing solidarity – voting in ballots is one of the most important ways of showing our united strength. A strong turnout is also vital both to help in the fight against excessive workload, and to tackle the problem of precarious working and the huge numbers of teachers who can't get permanent contracts.
Additional Salary Points
Once you have successfully completed your probationary year you may, if you have certain types of relevant experience, be eligible to claim additional salary points. Go to This Link for info about what counts and how to put in an application (it's an Orb link, so will need to do this from a CEC computer), and PLEASE note the need to provide evidence of your claim. I would also urge those who have been doing supply/fixed term contracts to check if they done the required number of weeks to get an additional salary point for teaching experience (go to 1.20 on the SNCT handbook for an explanation of what counts) and, if you meet the criteria, use the same form. Those on permanent contracts should find that the teaching experience uplift is applied automatically – but do check by going onto MyHR.
Forthcoming Events of Interest
Go to our Upcoming Events page for info about an event being organised by Stand Up to Racism this Saturday in Falkirk.
Please put a note in your calendar for Saturday 25th October, when a huge number of different groups are coming together to say "Scotland Demands Better" – see https://www.scotland-demands-better.com/ for more info.
Once again, good luck for when the teaching starts! Look out for further updates, and PLEASE VOTE!
Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind.
Alison
Secretary's Update - 26 June 2025
Dear EIS member,
THANK YOU!!!!!!
A huge thank you for all you have done over the last year to help us build a really strong local and national union. We've achieved so much this year: averting millions of pounds of cuts to Edinburgh's education budget; supporting individual members; helping branches to build collegiate approaches; tackling health and safety issues - the list goes on. There are, of course, so many more things we need to do - tackle the lack of permanent jobs; begin to turn the tide on Behaviours of Concern; address workload - but the engagement of so many of our members means we are in as strong a position as possible to do so. And that is down to every member who has attended a branch meeting, completed a survey, signed a petition or done anything else to support the union - we are strong when we act collectively to support each other.
I'm also going to take this opportunity to say a special thank you to Marni Kelly and Rachael Craighead, who do all the logistical and administrative work of the local association; they have worked so hard to support us, and are such an asset to Edinburgh LA. We are very luck to have them!
A couple of other things, very quickly. Do have a look at the latest learning rep bulletin, which you can find here: Learning Rep Bulletin June 2025. Lots of useful links for things relating to health and wellbeing, that might be helpful to you over the summer. Also, on Saturday 28th June, Stop the War are organising a rally and march, gathering at 1pm on The Mound. Please check our Latest Matters and Events page for more information.
Obviously I am going to put in one final plea for everyone to vote before we finish for the summer - we have many branches where turnout is over 80% but, alas, still some at under 50%, and it would be great if we could ensure ALL members are making their voices heard.
Finally, I really do hope that you have a great summer, a really good break and a fab time. You've earned it!!!
Thanks once again, and I look forward to all we will do together in the new school year.
Stay safe and well, be kind to everyone, and especially yourself, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Alison
Secretary's Update 24 June 2025
Dear EIS member,
Not long to go now…
CEC exit questionnaires and interviews
Everyone who is leaving employment with CEC is invited to complete an exit questionnaire. If that is you, I strongly urge you to complete it – the data from these questionnaires are shared in several different forums and it can be a very useful way of identifying trends and highlighting issues. There is also the option for those who want to discuss things in more detail to have an exit interview – this can be with your line manager or, if more appropriate, you can request to speak to someone from HR. Again, if you do have something you want to raise before you leave, please take advantage of this opportunity.
Joining the supply list at the end of a fixed term contract
If you have been doing a fixed-term contract with CEC, and do not have another one lined up for August (an awful situation for anyone to be in, and one of the reasons why our current ballot is so important) then make sure you have asked your HT to recommend you for the supply list before you finish – and double check that this has actually been done. It is straightforward to add someone to the supply list whilst they are in employment – once they leave CEC, then the only way to get back on the list is to interview and complete all the relevant Disclosure checks. Do NOT assume that, if you were on the list previously, you will still be on there – it is highly likely that, if you have been on a longer-term contract, you will have been removed from the supply list as you will not have had any recent activity.
Pride
Thanks to the many members who came along to Edinburgh Pride. There was a great turnout, and a massive show of solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community, many of whom have felt extremely beleaguered. I would, again, draw members’ attention to the EIS statement on the recent Supreme Court ruling.
If you missed Edinburgh Pride, you might want to come along to Fife Pride, on Saturday 5th July. Info from Fife EIS is: Meet at Fife College St. Brycedale – march to begin at 1.00pm, heading down Kirk Wynd and finishing at the Town House, where we will have a stall and embrace the speeches, entertainment to follow from 1.30pm-7.00pm. Bar opens at 12.30pm. I hope to see some of you there.
Ballot and membership details
Please make sure you have voted in the ballot – another thing to tick off the “to do” list before the summer. If you can’t find the ballot email, just message ballot@eis.org.uk, who will be able to help. Also make sure your membership details are up-to-date – particularly important for those of you moving to new schools.
I hope the next couple of days are as uneventful as the end of term can be. No doubt I will be in touch again before we break for the summer. In the meantime, though, stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 20 June 2025
Dear EIS member,
Almost the weekend - and almost the holiday!!
Ballot - Have you voted??!!
If you have, thank you for standing with fellow members and supporting your union. If you haven't, PLEASE make sure your voice is heard. If you can't find the email with the voting information, email ballot@eis.org.uk and they will be able to help. A few other things:
Pride
Looking forward to seeing many of you at Pride tomorrow. We'll be gathering outside the Scottish Parliament from noon - we'll have big EIS flags, so it'll hopefully be easy for you to come and find us. We'll also have a stall in McEwan Hall, so come and say hello.
Centre for Teaching Excellence - request from EIS HQ
The Centre for Teaching Excellence (CfTE) is a new organisation that was announced by Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills in 2023. It aims to support teachers to engage with research and enquiry to develop their practice. The Centre is hosted by the University of Glasgow. The CfTE is currently running a survey and is keen to hear the views of teachers. We would encourage you to participate so that your voices are represented and shape the future priorities for the CfTE. You can access the survey here.
Lots more going on, as I am sure you can imagine, this close to the end of term. So, I'll end this bulletin here, but no doubt be back in touch next week, with more updates.
Enjoy the weekend, and the sunshine. Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 13 June 2025
Dear EIS Member,
A massive thank you to all those members who have already voted in the consultative ballot on workload. Over 1500 of you have already submitted your vote, which is sending a very strong signal to Scottish Government that it needs to fulfil its own manifesto commitments. It also shows that we are no longer going to put up with platitudes around valuing teachers whilst the reality is that most of us are seeing our workload build and build. It’s also a massive act of solidarity with all those teachers stuck on temporary contracts – a reduction in our class contact time will create a need for a significant number of permanent jobs (since Scottish Government is committed to maintaining the length of the pupil day – in other words, this is NOT about reducing teaching time).
If you have voted, please do all you can to encourage other members to do the same. Reps are able to see the percentage turnout in their school, and we can see the same for all branches – turnout is ranging from under 20% in a few schools, to others where over 80% of the membership have had their say. It would be great if we could get all branches to that higher level – especially if we could do this before the summer holiday! If you have lost the email with the ballot link, message ballot@eis.org.uk and they can help. If you want to know about the reasons why this ballot is so important, and why we are having it now, then go to https://www.eis.org.uk/campaigns/WorkLoadBallot. And if you think we at the LA office can do anything to help build turnout (e.g. by coming out to meetings at your school) do please get in touch.
A few other things…
HT/DHT network members
All members of our local HT/DHT network should have received an email earlier today, with some very important updates. If you are a HT or DHT member and did not receive this message, please email edinburghla@eis.org.uk.
If you go to https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest you will see a few different things that might be of interest, including a petition from Living Rent, information about a “Welcome Refugees/Stop the Far Right” march and carnival in Glasgow on 21st, Edinburgh Pride (also on 21st) and a link to an online meeting about the ballot on Wednesday 18th.
Have a great weekend. Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other – including by voting!
Alison
Secretary's Update 11 June 2025
Dear EIS member
Have you voted yet?
Huge thanks to the many members who have already voted in our consultative ballot, which opened on Friday. By voting, you are sending a strong message to Scottish Government that it needs to stick to its own manifesto commitments; you are making it clear that the decades-long rhetoric around reducing workload has failed, and that we need concreted, funded action; you are supporting all those teachers stuck in precarious work because of the lack of permanent jobs.
If you want to know more about the reasons why we are balloting now, you can come along to our ballot meeting next Wednesday 18th June at 5pm on Teams (click to join). You can also read more about it all here.
If you have not received your ballot email, and you have checked your junk folder, then email membership@eis.org.uk (though his ballot is for those covered by SNCT, so members working in independent schools will not have been contacted).
If you want someone from the LA office to come out to your school to talk to members about this, just get in touch and we will try to arrange something.
Pride
Really hoping to see lots of members at Edinburgh Pride, on 21st June. More details here.
Sheku Bayoh Vigil Thursday morning
I appreciate that the vast majority of you will not be free on the morning of Thursday 12th June. But, if anyone isn't working, and can go to Festival Square for any time between 8.45-10am, to join trade unionists and community activists in showing their support for the family of Sheku Bayoh, then that would be very much appreciated.
Lots of other things going on at the moment (e.g. acting on the decisions arising from last week's EIS AGM; speaking to CEC's Education, Children and Families committee this morning about the Inclusive Learning Estate review; raising issues around the financial software causing so many issues for HTs and BMs; continuing to support individual members). Hopefully I will have a chance to send out a further update soon. In the meantime, though - don't forget to vote! All members need to make sure their voices are heard loud and clear.
Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 4 June 2025
Dear EIS Member,
I hope you are well. A few quick updates for you.
Ballot - opening tomorrow!
Our consultative ballot around the Scottish Government's failure to deliver on its own manifesto to reduce class contact time opens on Friday. It's vital that everyone has their say, which will only happen if EIS HQ has the correct contact details for you. So, do go to www.eis.org.uk and log into the member area to check. There are many reasons why it is important that we demonstrate strong support in the ballot - rather than me going over all of them here, please go to https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest where you'll see info about the online briefing meetings we are having for Edinburgh members - come along to one of these to find out more. Or get in touch and we will happily come out to your branch.
Contacting the LA Office
We seem to have been having a few issues with our phones lately (both my mobile and the office number), including some people not being able to leave messages, or those messages coming through very late. We've hopefully sorted it but, if you have tried to call and have not had a response, please do try again and/or email edinburghla@eis.org.uk. Do note that it is the national EIS AGM tomorrow through to Saturday, which will obviously limit our ability to respond to queries, but we are making a concerted effort to get caught up. Apologies if you have been in touch and not heard back yet.
Pride
Really hoping to see lots of members at Edinburgh Pride, on 21st June, and also at the pre-Pride event on 11th June, here at HQ. More info, and sign-up links, here https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest.
I hope the rest of your week goes well. Look out for our Edinburgh delegation during any media coverage of the EIS AGM (we're sitting on the front row this year, so ought to be easy to spot).
Stay safe and well and, as always, let's keep on being kind to each other - and to ourselves.
Alison
Secretary's Update 23 May 2025
Dear EIS Member,
Nearly the weekend. I hope you get to enjoy some sunshine (and good luck to any of you running the marathon!).
Consultative Ballot
Good luck, too, to everyone involved in the Citywide recruitment today. Interviews are always nerve wracking – but things are much worse now because of the acute lack of permanent posts. This is one of the many reasons why it is vital we bring pressure to bear on the Scottish Government to fulfil its own manifesto commitment to reduce class contact time. Hence our consultative ballot, which will be opening soon. Do remember to check your contact details at www.eis.org.uk, to ensure you can participate in this, and make your views known.
We are going to hold a series of online briefing meetings in the coming weeks, to discuss why this ballot is so important. We’ve gone for a few different days, in hopes that everyone can make one of them. Each one will be at 5pm. Dates are Monday 2nd June (click to join), Tuesday 10th June (click to join) and Wednesday 18th June (click to join) or email edinburghla@eis.org.uk for a calendar invite to a specific date. We’re also keen to come out to branches to discuss this (and other areas of concern) so get in touch if you want an office bearer to come to your school (we will bring chocolate!).
Summer Social – Thursday 29th (last chance to sign up)
Looking forward to seeing lots of you at our summer social on Thursday, here at Moray Place. We’ll be closing registration on Monday afternoon – we need to do this so that we know how much food to buy. Please sign up now if you want to come along. Should be a good evening!
Able Futures – Mental health support for people at work
I’ve spoken to a few members lately who have found the support from Able Futures to be invaluable. If you think you would benefit from support in this area, go to https://able-futures.co.uk/individuals to see what they have to offer.
Latest Matters and Events
Do bookmark and keep an eye on https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest, where you can find lots of info about different things happening across Edinburgh – including, tomorrow, a rally being organised by Stand Up to Racism (to whom we are affiliated).
Once again, best wishes for the weekend, and I look forward to seeing many of you at the various different events going on at the moment – from Saturday’s rally to the social to Pride to our various ballot meetings to… In the meantime, though, stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 20 May 2025
Dear EIS member,
I hope you are well and enjoyed the long weekend. A few updates for you.
Preparing for consultative ballot – please update your details:
Just a reminder that it’s incredibly important that we have the correct contact details for all members. This always matters, but is particularly important as we prepare for the upcoming consultative ballot. Please take a couple of minutes to log on to the member area at www.eis.org.uk and check that everything is up to date. If you have any problems logging in, email membership@eis.org.uk and they can help. And, if you want to know more about why this ballot is so important, email in to the office (edinburghla@eis.org.uk) and we can arrange for a branch meeting to talk through the issues. You’ll also find out more about the national picture here.
Tackling Poverty Mapping Survey:
As part of our wider work on tackling poverty, we’re keen to map the supports that help to mitigate some of the challenges from poverty that we see in our schools. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey, which aims to build a picture about what is happening in Edinburgh. EIS Edinburgh Poverty Initiatives Survey. The results will be shared with members in the new term. Remember, too, that the EIS has very high-quality training in this area – to find out more, click here or email Edinburgh LA Vice President Claire Robertson (edinburghlavicepresident@eis.org.uk) who can tell you more about the programme, and other work being done to challenge poverty.
Stop Reform - Organise Against the Far Right: Summit on Saturday 31st May:
A quick reminder that our own General Secretary, Andrea Bradley, is one of the speakers at this event. More info here.
The Israel-Palestine Conflict: A Primer for Teachers Tuesday, June 3:
Another event that might be of interest, this time organised by ScotDec, is a hybrid meeting that aims to give more background to the conflict. More details here.
Summer social:
Really hoping to see lots of you at the social on 29th, which will be here at HQ (46 Moray Place). Always a fun event, but if the weather stays like this, and we can go ahead with a BBQ in the gardens, it should be particularly special. Please sign up here to help us plan.
Pride:
We really want a good turnout at Pride this year. If you can come along, even if just for an hour or so, please do so. It’s on Saturday 21st June and, whilst you can just turn up, knowing numbers beforehand helps us know how many flags to bring along. Sign up here. We’re also trying something new in the build up to Pride – Claire Robertson has organised a drop-in session on Wednesday 11th June, 4.00-6.30pm here in Moray Place to design and create placards or to decorate your ‘Take Pride in Teaching’ T-shirt to take, or wear at Edinburgh Pride. If you fancy coming along to that, please sign up here. This year, it is so important that we demonstrate our unity at Pride and to show our support for the LGBTQ+ community, so do try to come along.
Another survey…
We’ve also received this request via EIS HQ.
Hello! I am Lillian Purich a prior teacher of five years and current MSc Student at the University of Edinburgh in need of your personal teacher perspective for my research. The aim of this research is to find perceived barriers and or enablers impacting teachers' participation in school partnerships, teaching content related to the SDGs and learning for sustainability (LFS) within schools. All answers will be recorded anonymously. To participate please fill out the survey here.
Please do take a bit of time to help this person in their studies (should be less than 10 minutes).
I hope you have a good week, and get a chance to enjoy some sunshine. Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 14 May 2025
Dear EIS Member,
I hope you are well. Let me start by thanking all those people who went above and beyond in responding to the cyber attack that Edinburgh suffered at the end of last week. Hopefully issues are now resolved, and those individuals who gave up part of the weekend to help with the response have made arrangements around time off in lieu. Get in touch if there are outstanding concerns.
Upcoming Ballot
Hopefully all members received the communication from HQ about the consultative ballot that will soon be opening in respect of the Scottish Government’s complete failure to make meaningful progress in delivering on its own manifesto commitment to reduce class contact time. It is vital that they do deliver on this promise – not only is it needed to begin the work of addressing the workload crisis (we have some of the highest contact time of any country in the OECD) but it is absolutely crucial to address the lack of permanent jobs afflicting so many teachers, especially in primary. A strong turnout in the ballot is vital if we are going to see any improvement in this situation.
All the LA office bearers are keen to come out to talk to branches about this ballot, so get in touch if you want a visit. We’ll obviously be getting more info from HQ in the coming weeks but, in the meantime, an essential thing is for every member to do is ensure we have your up-to-date contact details (address, place of work etc). PLEASE go to www.eis.org.uk, log into the member area (MyEIS), and check that everything is correct.
Checking details with GTCS, MyHR, etc.
It is also essential that every member ensures that both CEC and GTCS have the correct info. Please do check this. Making sure you are on the correct pay grade, have the right emergency contacts listed, etc. can really help in avoiding problems. As for GTCS – ultimately, the responsibility lies with individuals to ensure that their registration is maintained so that they can teach. Failing to do that can, in some circumstances, put people at risk of disciplinary action. So, please do take time to check that everything is in order.
More info about various things we are working on to follow soon, but I wanted to get those two very important notices out now.
Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 30th April 2025
Dear EIS Member
I hope you are well and getting a chance to enjoy the sunshine. It’s exceptionally busy just now, so apologies for not getting this bulletin out sooner.
Precarious working
We continue to raise the lack of permanent posts, particularly in primary, in both local and national forums. Be assured that this is a major focus of our work, as the current situation is clearly completely unacceptable. As regards the specifics of CEC’s plans regarding central recruitment to primary posts, we are assured that a communication will be coming out to staff this week. A reminder that we are running a “routes to permanency” session next week Wed 7th May 5-6.30pm on Teams where we will also run through your rights when on temporary contracts – join here or email for a calendar invite.
ASLS Review
We are now in the implementation phase of the review of ASLS. I will, in the coming fortnight, be meeting with the Early Years ASLS team, and with those in promoted posts (if you are in one of those groups and have not had a Teams invite, get in touch and we will forward it on). If other groups think a collective meeting would be helpful, do get in touch. For the majority, though, we are probably at the stage where individual conversations, based around specific circumstances, are more helpful. If you need such a discussion, do get in touch and we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible. Do remember to use edinburghla@eis.org.uk, and not any other email address.
EIS Financial Services seminars
EIS Financial Services have set up seminars aimed specifically at early career teachers. You can find more details here, please scroll to the bottom of the page for the flyer and links. I strongly urge you to sign up for these – it’s incredible what a difference early financial planning can make to your life.
GTCS registration
It is vital that we all maintain our GTCS registration. It is also, ultimately, our own responsibility. So, if you have recently changed address, email or anything else, PLEASE make sure that you have updated that with GTCS. The majority of us will have had our GTCS fees deducted from our April salary. If that has not happened for any reason (you are on supply, career break etc) you MUST make arrangements to pay your fees yourself. Equally, if you are taking any kind of break from teaching for any reason, PLEASE sort out your GTCS registration before you go (e.g. do you need to defer your Professional Update). If your registration is not up to date, you CANNOT teach and, if there is a significant delay in getting back onto the register, that can have serious consequences. You’ll find more info here Knowledge Base > Manage your registration.
Diarrhoea and vomiting
NHS advice is very clear that, if you have a bout of diarrhoea and/or vomiting, you must wait 48 hours after it finishes before returning to work: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/. CEC fully endorses this, so please do not come back before you are completely ready. I’ve had a few members say that they have felt pressure to come back too soon – this should not happen and, if it does occur, please do get in touch.
Supreme Court Ruling
Several members have been in touch about the implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling. For now, can I just draw your attention to the EIS statement released after the judgement: https://www.eis.org.uk/latest-news/supremecourtstatement. This will obviously be kept under very close review, and we will be working hard to support members and pupils at this very challenging time.
Welfare not Warfare National Demonstration – Saturday 10th May, assembling 12pm (noon) at Buchannan Steps, Glasgow
The EIS alongside many other trade unions will be joining the next Stop the War national demonstration calling for public investment in welfare not warfare, an end to all arms sales to Isreal and the scrapping of Trident. Some Edinburgh members will be traveling together by train. We will be getting the 11am from Edinburgh Waverly, meeting outside Boots at 10.45. Look out for people with EIS hats, flags or T-shirts on if you'd like to join us. If you’re joining the train at a later station, come and find us – we’ll make sure we have obvious EIS branding (might not be hats if it stays as warm as this!). You can find more info about the demo here.
Lots more going on, so I will try to get another update out soon. In the meantime, stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 3 April 2025
Dear EIS Member,
Apologies that there hasn’t been a bulletin for a while – it has been exceptionally busy. Please do read this update carefully, as there are some very important updates.
Flexible Working
I have had a number of members get in touch with concerns around how the updated Flexible Working policy is being applied. We are raising these concerns with CEC, and talks are continuing to find a way to ensure that the application of the policy works within school settings, with our constraints around sessional working, etc. For now, please note the following —
National AGM and Amendments to Motions
Many thanks to those who came along to our local AGM, where we debated a wide range of motions. You can find out which motions passed here. LAs across Scotland had similar meetings, and submitted motions to EIS HQ, for debate in June. You will find all the motions that have been rules competent by the national Standing Orders Committee here. It is open to all local associations to submit amendments to these motions – do note that amendments are designed to clarify or improve a motion. Any amendment that seen as changing the fundamental intent of a motion will be ruled incompetent (if one disagrees with a motion, one should speak against it).
Anyone who wants to submit amendments to any motion should send them to edinburghla@eis.org.uk by 10am on Wednesday 23rd April, and they will be debated at the executive committee meeting happening at 5pm that day – you will also need to come along to the meeting to speak to your amendment.
Routes to Permanency – Info session for members
We continue to campaign hard, at both local and national level, around the totally unacceptable number of members unable to get permanent contracts. On Wednesday 7th May, at 5pm, there will be a Teams session where we will run over the different types of contracts, the associated terms and conditions, and the different ways members can establish a right to permanency. Please email edinburghla@eis.org.uk for a link.
Latest learning Rep Newsletter is here. Lots of important info, so do read carefully.
Latest CEC Equality Rep Newsletter is here. Again, lots of important info.
Working Time Agreement 2025-26
The 2025-26 WTA has been agreed and is here. I’ve already run a briefing session for reps on the key points. Both the agreement itself, and the briefing given to all HTs around both the WTA and CEC’s Improvement Framework for 2025-26 make it very clear that schools should be focusing on one, two or, at the absolute outside, three key priorities. And the time needed to overtake those priorities needs to be realistically evaluated. In other words, the WTA needs to be a key driver in reducing the vast amounts of unpaid overtime that all of us (including unpromoted teachers and HTs) are doing on a weekly basis. If any branch needs support in negotiating their WTA, do please get in touch.
ASLS Review
Hopefully all of those in scope of the ASLS Review were able to attend yesterday’s CEC briefing, and the follow-up Q&A with unions. As I said then, we will be doing some targeted sessions for specific groups very soon after the holiday (dates tbc). In the meantime, if anyone has specific concerns or queries, do get in touch and we will try and get answers as soon as possible.
Getting in Touch with the LA Office
A reminder that, if you want to get in touch with me, you MUST use edinburghla@eis.org.uk – emails sent to my CEC email address may not get through. We’ve also had a recent issue with many emails being put into quarantine. Plus, as I’ve explained, it has been exceptionally busy. So, if you have emailed and not had a response, please do check you have sent it to the correct address and, if you have and the matter is urgent, please do resend and I will try to get back to you.
Marni will be working over the Easter break, and I am hoping she will be able to sort out some of the backlog. I’m also delighted to report that we will be getting some additional admin support in the office after Easter, so that should help us cope with the volume of work.
Once again, sorry for the gap in updates – hopefully the above will give some insight into just how busy it has been, and some of what we have been doing lately. I suspect there may be another, briefer update tomorrow but, in case not, I hope everyone has a fabulous holiday and a much-needed break (and fingers crossed for continued sunshine!).
Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 7 March 2025
Dear EIS Member,
Some important updates and reminders before you switch off for a much needed weekend…
LA AGM – 12th March 5pm
PLEASE try to come along to this meeting, which is where we both discuss what the local association has been doing up to now, and set our priorities for the coming year. You can register here to attend in person at EIS HQ or you can email Marni at mkelly@eis.org.uk for a Teams link. You can find the motions that will be debated here. The deadline for submitting amendments to any of the motions is 12pm on Monday 10th – these amendments must be sent to edinburghla@eis.org.uk.
PRD/PU Information session – Friday 14th March
Our Learning Reps are going to be delivering a session for all members who have queries about PRD and PU. More details, and a link to sign up, are here on the Learning Reps page.
Menopause
If you go to the Health, Safety & Wellbeing page on our website, you will find both CEC’s guidance on supporting with the menopause, and refreshed EIS guidance. Given that tomorrow is International Women’s Day, this seems like a good time to highlight that EVERY school should have discussed what practical measures can be taken to ensure that they are doing all they can to support staff. If that has not happened in your school, I would urge you to ask your school H&S committee to discuss this (remember that every school should have a H&S committee that meets monthly – and that committee should have both teaching and non-teaching staff membership). Get in touch with the office if you need further support.
Gaps in Service – NI Contributions
Anyone who has had a gap in service (be that due to maternity leave, a career break, or any other reason) should be giving serious consideration to whether they need to make additional National Insurance contributions, in order to ensure they can get the full state pension. There is a looming deadline to make up any gaps that occurred between 2006 and 2016 – click here for more details.
Today is EIS National Council and, at this, we are discussing ways we can further highlight the issue of the lack of permanent posts for teachers – a topic that we are also continually raising locally. We are also aiming to hold a session for members soon on routes to permanency (date tbc – hopefully early May). And, of course, we continue to discuss issues around workload, Behaviours of Concern and a range of other issues. Come along to the AGM on Wednesday to hear more about what we are doing…
Enjoy the weekend, when it finally arrives. Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 28 February 2025
Dear EIS member,
Nearly the weekend! There is a lot going on at the moment, so I will get straight to it…
LA Treasurer
Thanks to everyone who voted in the recent election for LA Treasurer. We were lucky to have two really excellent candidates, and Allan Crosbie was duly elected. He will formally take up this role at the LA AGM. Once again, huge thanks to our current treasurer, Louise Bishop, for all her hard work over the last few years. Allan has a tough act to follow! However, I’m delighted that Louise will be remaining on the executive, where she will continue to be a strong voice on behalf of all members, especially our supply colleagues.
LA AGM – Wednesday 12th March 5pm (Hybrid meeting)
Do try to come along to this – the most important event in our local calendar. More info, the link to register, and the motions that have been submitted, here: Edinburgh AGM. Remember that the deadline to submit amendments is Monday 10th March.
ASN Network Meeting – Tuesday 11th March 5pm in Moray Place
For those of you who work at special schools, within the ASL service, or with ASN students in any capacity, we will be holding an ASN network meeting on Tuesday 11th March at 5pm in EIS HQ. It will be great to see as many members there as possible. If you are planning to come, could you please email Tom Britton at asstsecretaryedinburghla@eis.org.uk to let him know numbers. A buffet will be available, and if you have dietary requirements, please let us know. Parking expenses will be covered by Edinburgh EIS.
H&S Rep Meeting – Thursday 13th March 5pm on Teams
The next meeting of the Edinburgh EIS H&S rep network will be held on Thursday 13th March at 5pm on Teams. As well as a usual catch-up of what has been happening in your school, there will be a discussion about school H&S committees, risk assessments, and feedback from the short survey that was sent out. If you are intending to attend, please be sure to email Tom at asstsecretaryedinburghla@eis.org.uk. A Teams invite will be sent nearer to the date of the meeting.
Survey on Performance Management for Promoted Post Holders
Teacher performance is governed by the GTCS Standards. However, separate to their teaching role, promoted post holders also have management/leadership responsibilities, and those are governed by CEC’s performance management framework. CEC is in the process of updating this and, as part of that, is asking staff to complete a survey. So, if you are a promoted post holder, please go to Performance Management Policy and make sure your voice is heard.
Time Off for Religious Observance
For historic reasons, some school holidays are pinned to Christian holidays. Those from other faiths do not have this advantage. So, school staff who do require time off for religious observance are entitled to paid leave. You can find more detailed guidance about this, and about other matters related to Ramadan here: Edinburgh Ramadan Guidance for Schools 2025. Other useful resources are here: Ramadan Guidance and Islam – Ramadan & Eid (you will need to be logged into your CEC Microsoft email to gain access). If anyone has problems with obtaining paid leave, get in touch and we can help.
Compulsory Transfers
This is a very unsettling time for some members, as a number of schools are having to declare staff surplus. Everyone with a permanent contract will be redeployed, and there is a lot of support available to try to ensure that the moves are as successful as possible. If you are a primary member in this situation, you will soon be invited to a meeting where the whole process, and the support available, is outlined in detail. There are smaller number of secondary teachers who are also being identified for transfer – the need to match people on a subject basis makes this a slightly more complex process than in primary, so if you are a secondary teacher who has been identified, can you please email me directly at edinburghla@eis.org.uk (don’t worry if you are primary and want to talk – I’ll be happy to do so, but those conversations will be more productive if they happen later on this term).
There’s lots of other things going on, too – ongoing discussions around ASN, violence at work, the new MyHS portal, etc. – plus, lots of branch meetings (please do get in touch if you want our Organiser, Eilidh, or one of the office bearers to come out to your school).
I’m also trying to catch up with the backlog of individual correspondence that built up whilst we were focused on campaigning against the budget cuts (and let’s not lose sight of the fact that, tough as things are for many just now, it would be a lot worse if our campaigning had not succeeded in averting millions of pounds of cuts to schools). So, if you have not had a response to emails or phone calls, I do apologise – try to be patient and I hope to get back to everyone soon.
I hope you have a good weekend, and that the sun keeps shining on all of us. Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 18 February 2025
Dear EIS Member,
I hope you had a good holiday. This is a quick update, with a couple of very time sensitive reminders. I’ll be sending out another bulletin before the end of this week with information about our LA AGM.
Election for Edinburgh LA Treasurer
This election closes tomorrow. Everyone should have had an email with voting information (including the candidate statements) from EIS HQ before half term. Please make sure you vote - it's quick, easy, and makes a big difference. If you haven’t had the email (do check your spam folder) then please email membership@eis.org.uk today.
To All Reps and H&S Reps
If you are a school rep or a H&S rep, you should have received a very short survey about school H&S committees. Please take a couple of minutes to respond – the deadline has been extended to this coming Monday. Get in touch if you need the link resent.
CEC Budget
The budget setting meeting is this Thursday. We continue to lobby councillors about the need to protect education spending, and will be making a deputation to the full council meeting, to ensure all councillors are fully informed of the situation facing schools. We know that some of the proposed cuts have been pulled, and I think it is fair to say that this is as a result of the campaigning we have undertaken. We will push to try to get the rest of them pulled, too.
As I said, more info to follow soon, but please do vote in our local election. Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 6 February 2025
Dear EIS Member,
Nearly the holiday! A few very important updates and reminders for you before you sign off for what I hope will be a very relaxing week.
EIS National Survey
The closing date has been extended until tomorrow (7th Feb). PLEASE take some time to complete it – the more members who respond, the more robust the data and the more it can help us in campaigning. You should have had a link directly from EIS HQ – if not, email membership@eis.org.uk to ask for it to be reissued.
Office Bearer Election
I’m really pleased to note that there is going to be an election for the role of LA Treasurer. The fact that we have more people wanting to stand for these vital posts is an indication that we are growing engagement in the union. The election is run by HQ, so you should get an email from membership later today, with a link to the candidate statements and the voting form. PLEASE DO VOTE! It’s your union, so you should be having a say in who runs it… Unfortunately, it is quite a short deadline (19th February) so please do vote as soon as you get the link.
Our new treasurer won’t start until after the LA AGM, so Louise Bishop remains in post for now – and I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank her for the amazing work she has done over the last few years. Being treasurer is not easy, and she has put a lot of hours into making sure our finances are in good order and that executive members are clear about expenditure. Many thanks, Louise! You’ll be a tough act to follow.
I’m also pleased to say that our executive is now almost at capacity, with 27 members from across a broad spectrum of the membership. This should really help us maintain and develop our campaigning capacity.
Deadline for Motions to LA AGM
Any motions to be debated by the LA AGM must be submitted by noon tomorrow (7th). Send them to edinburghla@eis.org.uk. As soon as President’s Committee has decided on competency, we will circulate all motions, and there will be an opportunity to amend them before the AGM itself. Speak of, the Local AGM will be on 12th March, at Moray Place – we’ll send out the registration link after half term, but please save the date in your diaries now.
Understanding your Payslips, plus Issues with Pay
CEC has issued a guide to understanding your payslip. You should have received it directly from them but, if not, you will find it here: https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/advice.
If you think there is an issue with your pay you should, in the first instance, raise it with your manager. If that does not resolve things, you should raise a ticket on HALO (if you can’t for any reason, you can phone them on 0131 469 5555). Only if that does not resolve things should you contact me – at that point I will need a note of the ticket number and the response from HR.
Those who have sent in queries over the last fortnight/3 weeks – I am trying to clear these as quickly as possible, but the new system does mean there has been a higher volume of questions, so it is taking longer than usual. I’ll try to get them sorted as soon as I can.
To All Reps and H&S Reps
If you are a school rep or a H&S rep, you should have received a very short survey about school H&S committees. Please take a couple of minutes to respond. Get in touch if you need the link resent.
Message from Heather
Thanks to everyone for the lovely messages and thoughtful gifts for my retirement. I'm loving the Lego flower bouquet, gin liqueurs and, from the remainder of my collection, I chose a globe drinks cabinet and a portable telescope. There is still more to spend so I am going to buy a subscription, or two, for something historic, arty or botanical, I have yet to decide!
Also, a big thanks to those who came along to the social on the 23rd of January, it was lovely to catch up. If we didn't get a chance to chat then, I will hopefully see you at the next social. Special thanks to Marni for organising the evening and for the very tasty baking, that cake went down very well.
I'm overwhelmed by the kindness and appreciation I've received from Edinburgh members, it's been a pleasure to work for you and I wish you all the best for the future.
Thanks very much
Heather
There’s lots more happening, but this is already a lengthy bulletin, so I will stop now. I do hope you have a great half term. I will also be on holiday, but Marni will be working and can respond to urgent queries.
Enjoy the break, stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind.
Alison
Secretary's Update 15 January 2025
Dear EIS Member,
I hope you are having a good week. Quite a lot in this, so I will get straight to it…
Lobbying Local MSPs re: Education
Exec members are going to be meeting with local MSPs next week, to raise awareness of the multiple crises facing schools (budgets, precarious working, violence etc). Whilst we have heard back from some local MSPs that they will be attending, others still have yet to reply. It would be incredibly helpful if every member who is an Edinburgh resident would click on this link: WriteToThem - Email your Councillor, MP, MSP, MS, MLA or London Assembly Member for free and send the following to both their local and list MSPs (feel free to adapt).
Dear XXX
Edinburgh EIS has invited you to meet with its exec members during the evening of Tuesday 21st January, in the Scottish Poetry Library (so very close to the Scottish Parliament), to hear details about the pressures facing schools. As your constituent, I would urge you to attend.
Kind regards
HT/DHT Members
If you are a HT or DHT member and did not receive an email from me to your personal email address on Friday, I would be very grateful if you would get in touch with me as a matter of urgency.
PSL Members
Edinburgh LA will be holding a meeting for Pupil Support Leaders on Thursday January 30th 5pm at EIS HQ (Moray Place). It will be an opportunity to share experiences, discuss the challenges facing PSLs and consider how as a local association we can organise and campaign to improve conditions for PSLs across the city. Light refreshments will be available and travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Please use this link: https://www.eis.org.uk/content/courseregistration/867 to register.
Motions for LA AGM/Joining the Exec etc…
Deadlines for joining the exec, applying to attend the national AGM, or submitting motions to the LA AGM are looming. Go to https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh and scroll down to 18th December for details.
Stand Up to Racism – March in London, Saturday 1st February
There is a national rally “Stop the Far Right, Stop Tommy Robinson” on Saturday 1st February in London. Scottish SUTR is sending a delegation, and subsidised/free travel is available. Please visit https://shorturl.at/BFdwZ for details.
General Member Support
Many members do not seem to realise the full range of benefits/support available to them through the EIS. If you go to https://www.eis.org.uk/Edinburgh and click on the “member support” section, you will see everything from the free will writing service to the sorts of insurance on offer. Do take advantage of these.
LA Social - Thursday 23rd, from 5pm at the Angels’ Share, 7 Hope Street
Please come join us! Aside from a chance to meet fellow members, and to say farewell to Heather, it is a free night out during the long wait until January’s pay day… Register here: https://www.eis.org.uk/content/courseregistration/829.
I hope to see you next Thursday. In the meantime, stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 19 December 2024
Dear EIS Member,
A brief bulletin with two important requests.
CEC Budget Consultation
CEC is consulting all residents about its plans to cut £30 million next year – and this includes asking for views about its planned cuts to school. We will, of course, be making a response as an LA, but the more of you who make individual responses, the better. PLEASE go to https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/ce/edinburghs-budget/ and share your views on what the proposed cuts will mean for the pupils of the city. The deadline is 14th Jan, so the sooner you complete it, the better.
Working for the EIS
If you go to https://www.eis.org.uk/careers you will see info on vacancies with the EIS. One of these is for a part-time admin assistant here in the LA office – with the volume of work that we are dealing with now, Marni needs some additional help. We are able to be very flexible as regards both location and how the core hours (which would be term-time only) will be organised. Please do think about whether you might have a friend with admin experience who would find this sort of working pattern ideal (maybe because of caring responsibilities or other commitments) and encourage them to apply.
Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 18 December 2024
Dear EIS Member,
Can’t believe we’re halfway through the last week of term! I hope it’s going as smoothly as possible… Below are a few important dates to get in your diary before you switch off for the holidays, and a few things for you to think about.
LA AGM – Wednesday 12th March 5-7pm
PLEASE make an effort to come along to the LA AGM. This is the most important meeting in the calendar of the local association – the motions passed drive all our work. It’s also where office bearers report on what we have been doing for the year, and where you, the members, can ask questions. We’ll also hear from National President Allan Crosbie about the wider work of the union. Venue is tbc, but the meeting will be hybrid, which we hope will allow more people to attend. So, please save the date!
Motions to the LA AGM
The main business of the AGM is voting on motions. So, if there is something you feel needs to be a priority moving forward, please consider submitting a motion to the LA AGM. These are best submitted by branches, though individual members are free to put something forward in their own name. If you want advice on what topics are suitable for motions, to frame a motion so that it will be judged competent and so on, Allan Crosbie (LA exec member, and current National President) will be running a quick Teams session on this on 7th January at 4:15. This is a remote session you can join over Teams: Click this link to join (or email edinburghla@eis.org.uk for a calendar invitation).
He’s also happy to speak to individuals about their ideas, and you can contact him via acrosbie@eis.org.uk. There is also some general advice on the website on writing motions. The deadline for submitting motions is noon on 7th February (they should be sent to edinburghla@eis.org.uk) but I would encourage you to get advice in advance for this.
Joining the Local Association Executive
Our local association works best when it works with, and on behalf of, all members. But we can only do that if our local executive is representative of the entire Edinburgh membership. So PLEASE think about joining – especially if you feel that we are not, currently, prioritising things that are important to you. The core commitment is to attend the monthly meetings that are held on Wednesdays between 5-7pm (usually on Teams, though some are hybrid). If you want to find out more about what is involved before committing, drop me an email and I, or one of the other exec members, can chat to you about what we do. Nomination forms for those who do want to stand are here on the MyEIS home page here and the deadline for submitting them is 1st February (though I would urge you do complete them before then). If you have any problems, you can get in touch with us or with membership directly: membership@eis.org.uk.
Other Opportunities to Get More Involved
This same link will also take you to forms to nominate yourself as a delegate to attend the national AGM – this is the main decision-making forum for national EIS so, again, broad representation across the membership is really important. You’ll also find nomination forms for office bearer roles, so if you want to stand as LA Secretary, President, or any of the other posts, please complete these (again, happy to talk to people about what is involved/put them in touch with the relevant person).
I will be sending out a couple more emails with important info before the holidays, but this one is entirely about your opportunities to shape your union, so please do think about how you can get involved.
Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 6 December 2024
Dear EIS member,
Nearly the weekend. And, unbelievably, nearly the holidays… A few quick updates for you.
Contacting the Office
PLEASE use edinburghla@eis.org.uk if you want to get in touch with me. Emails sent to my CEC email address are very likely to be missed. Also remember that you can phone the office on 07926 946150 and that will get you through to Marni.
Writing Motions
One of the main ways that members can influence the priorities of the EIS is by submitting motions – as a democratic union, it is the votes of the members on the motions brought to both local and national General Meetings that governs our work. If there is something you think we should be doing (or not doing) either at local or national level, then you should write a motion calling for action.
If you want to find out how to write motions that are likely to be deemed competent, then you are invited to come along to a session on motion writing which is being run by our National President, and local executive member, Allan Crosbie. It is being run twice on Teams, both starting at 4:15. It is recommended you do this alongside other interested colleagues at your place of work if possible.
The first is being held on Tuesday, 17th December. You can join this meeting here.
The second is being held on Tuesday, 7th January. You can join this meeting here.
To confirm your attendance at one of the sessions or for a calendar invite, please email Marni at edinburghla@eis.org.uk, or Allan at acrosbie@eis.org.uk.
Calling all PSLs
We will be holding a meeting for Pupil Support Leaders at Moray Place on Thursday the 30th of January from 5pm to 6:30pm. The event will be hosted by Local Association President Phill Pearce and Assistant Secretary Tom Britton and will be a chance for PSLs to get together and discuss current and long-standing issues facing PSLs across the city. It will also be an opportunity to discuss how the conditions and workload of PSLs in the city fit within the wider SUFQE campaign.
Light refreshments will be provided, and travel expenses or parking will be reimbursed.
We do hope that you will be able to join us.
Please register your interest at this link so that we have an idea of numbers.
Bhopal Memorial Event – Sunday
If you are going to be in the centre of Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon, you might want to attend the Bhopal Memorial Event – this is a moving ceremony that happens annually. Go to https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest and scroll down for details.
More updates next week, including around budgets, which is a massive area of work at the moment. For now, though, I hope you enjoy the weekend.
Stay safe and well (and out of forecast storms…) and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 27 November 2024
Dear EIS member
I hope your week is going well.
CEC Budget – Urgent Action Required
Everyone should have received an email from HQ, with suggested texts for emails to MSPs. PLEASE undertake this action. Without a significant increase in teacher numbers, which needs to be funded by Scottish Government, all our current crises (violence, workload, ASN) will only get worse. Not to mention that so many teachers are, currently, struggling to get permanent jobs… Locally, we are also encouraging Parent Councils to message MSPs, calling on them to ensure that education is properly funded, and we are looking at what other actions we can do to bring pressure to bear regarding funding public services. Do, also, complete the consultation around the Tourist Tax, as that would be a significant additional revenue stream for Edinburgh (guide is here).
Flexible work requests
Everyone has a right to make a flexible work request, and to have it seriously considered. However, if granting the request would have a negative impact on service delivery (e.g. if it would be hard to backfill) then employers can refuse the request. Another impact of the financial pressures on schools is that it is getting harder and harder for them to be flexible in how they accommodate staff trying to change their hours. So, if you are thinking about making such a request, I would urge you to talk to your HT at the earliest possible opportunity, and to talk through the different options that might work. If you think your request is being refused unreasonably, we can support in appealing it, but recent experience is that, in most cases, when requests are turned down, it is for valid reasons. My best advice is, the earlier you begin talking to your manager about what might work, the higher your chance of finding a reasonable compromise. And, of course, if we had more teachers in the system, it would be easier to grant these requests (another reason to write to your MSP!).
St Andrew’s Day Anti-Racism March and Rally – this Saturday (30th)
I hope many of you will be joining us on this Saturday’s march against racism. Now, more than ever, it is important that trade unions stand together with other civic groups and individuals to oppose racism and the rise of the far right. Details of the march are here. A few of us will be meeting at Waverley at 9am, outside Pret, with the aim of getting the 9.15 train through to Glasgow – we’ll have EIS flags, so you’ll be able to spot us if you want to travel through together. We will refund train fares.
Exploring Leadership Skills for Educators - Friday (29th)
On the latest events page you will also see information on a course, from our EIS Learning Reps and University of Strathclyde, that is being held at the EIS HQ offices in Moray Place.
Heather’s last week
This is, quite possibly, the last member bulletin that Heather will ever be sending out (I suppose it is not impossible I send something else out on Friday, which is her last day…). I want to put on record my thanks to her for all the work she has done over the years, supporting me and all Edinburgh members. Her kindness and professionalism have been invaluable. I, for one, could not possibly have done this job without her unfailing support and cheerfulness, and I owe her a huge debt. Remember that we will, in January, be gathering to thank her for all her work – go here and scroll down to see details and sign up. Alternatively, you can email her using edinburghla@eis.org.uk (but only until Friday – she won’t be reading work emails after then!) , or if you have messages you want me to pass one, send them to amurphy@eis.org.uk. I’m sure you will all want to join me in thanking her for all her work, and wishing her a long, joyful and well-deserved retirement. She will be very much missed.
Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 15 November 2024
Dear EIS member
Almost the weekend! A few updates for you before you sign off…
CEC Budget
The budget situation is looking extremely alarming. The next key date will be when the Scottish Government publishes its draft budget at the beginning of December – we are already looking at what pressure we can bring to bear to try to ensure that money that comes into Holyrood from Westminster is devolved down to local authorities, so that education (and other core public services) can be protected,, and there should be more information about that soon. In the meantime, though, PLEASE take time to complete the CEC consultation on the tourist tax. This could be a significant source of additional revenue, that is desperately needed. There is a guide and link here .
ASLS Review
As many will know, there is to be a further round of parental engagement before any changes to the ASLS structure are implemented. The implications of this delay are still being worked through – clearly the most urgent matter is addressing what is happening to those on fixed term contracts that are due to end soon. We have asked that this be addressed as soon as possible, and I am hopeful updated information will be issued soon. We will be continuing to work hard on this and other aspects of the review.
St Andrew’s Day March and Rally
Thanks to those who have already been in touch to say they will come along. Do, please, email if you are going to join us at this important event – remember that travel costs can be refunded. More details here .
An Evening of Queer and Trans Poetry - 19 November
The ETUC is promoting this event, which is being organised by UCU and others. It promises to be an interesting and affirming evening – more details here .
Hands Off Gaza and Lebanon, National Demonstration - 23 November
The EIS, along with many other trade unions, is supporting this demo, which is happening in Glasgow on Saturday 23rd. Again, you will find more details here . Several Edinburgh EIS members are planning to attend, and the latest plan is to meet outside the Pret at Waverley at 9.30am. If you are planning to go, please drop me an email and we will try to coordinate everyone. Again, travel expenses can be reimbursed.
I hope you have a great weekend. Remember that we will have limited admin support in the office next week, so please be patient with us.
Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind.
Alison
Secretary's Update 11 November 2024
Dear EIS Member,
I hope you enjoyed the weekend. A few key updates for you.
Violence in Schools
Some of you will already have seen this news article, outlining the extent of violence in Edinburgh’s schools. We continue to campaign to raise awareness of this issue, and to demand greater action at local and national level, to enable us all to have the safe working and learning environments we deserve. We are in intensive talks with CEC about ways of improving support for staff around this issue, and we hope to have updated advice to schools soon. In the meantime, though, school H&S committees should be leading on this – if you have concerns, raise them with both your line manager and your school rep/H&S rep. If concerns remain, or if you are unlucky enough to be in a school without a rep, get in touch with the office and we will try to help.
CEC Budget and the Tourist Tax
A key driver behind the rise in violence and aggression is the ongoing cuts to education budgets. We HAVE to get more money into education! CEC is currently consulting on the tourist tax, and it is vital that the responses make it clear that Edinburgh’s citizens want much of the money raised to go into public services, including schools. If you live in Edinburgh, PLEASE take time to complete the consultation and encourage all your friends and family to do the same. You can find links, and a guide to what we think will be helpful answers, here: eis.org.uk/edinburgh/budget2025.
Islamophobia Awareness Session
Hopefully many of you have already seen information related to this CEC session on tackling Islamophobia, which is happening on Thursday. As well as the session itself, the flyer also contains links to some really useful resources, and I would encourage you to have a look.
Changes to your contract/moving jobs/etc. part way through a school year
Teacher pay is complicated by the fact that our holidays are not spread evenly throughout the year – and further complicated by different authorities having different distributions of leave. This means that anyone who changes local authority part way through the year, or who moves into or out of a promoted post, will be subject to a salary reconciliation. There is an explanation of how this works here on the Orb. It is not straightforward, so I would say that the key message is, be aware of the possibility if you are planning a move and do check the numbers, so that you are not caught unawares.
Reduced admin support in the LA Office next week
TOIL, annual leave, etc. means there will be reduced support in the office next week. Obviously we will continue to deal with urgent queries, but other things may have to wait. If you have been in touch about something important in the last few weeks and haven’t yet had a response, please email me ASAP and I will do my best to get back to you before this Friday. If any queries can wait until the week beginning 25th November, that would be a great help.
I hope you have a good week. Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 7 November 2024
Dear EIS Member,
I hope your week is going well. A few updates for you.
Tax
Those who are concerned about info received from HMRC might want to check out this - Pay awards – The City of Edinburgh Council - from CEC, which outlined the actions they took, and what this meant for how tax would be processed. It also has a link to the HMRC website, which is where you can look at your own individual situation.
St Andrew’s Day March and Rally – Saturday 30th November
The annual STUC anti-racism march and rally (the 40th!) is fast approaching. See https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest for more details. As always, the EIS intends to have a big presence, and it would be great if we had lots of members from Edinburgh. At the moment, our plan is to get the train across, and we will refund ticket costs. If you think you can come along, please drop an email to edinburghla@eis.org.uk and we can make detailed travel arrangements a bit nearer the time (it’ll also help me judge how many flags to bring along).
EIS Social Justice and Solidarity Conference ‘Still We Rise’ - 17th and 18th January, Radisson Blu, Glasgow
Please have a look at the info about this conference Still We Rise | EIS, and come along if you can. Whilst some members will want to attend both days, others might only attend on Saturday. It should be a really useful and interesting event, and it would be good to get attendance from across the entire membership, particularly those who may not normally feel that engaged in our activities.
CEC Budget
Edinburgh EIS has been in touch with as many Parent Councils as we hold information for, asking for support in campaigning against the proposed education cuts in February’s budget. If you are a parent of a child in a CEC school, please get in touch with your child’s school’s Parent Council to check they have received our email, and encourage them to engage with us. If they haven’t received anything, email edinburghla@eis.org.uk, ideally with a contact name and email address, and we will try again.
Reasonable Adjustments
A reminder that all members with disabilities or long-term health conditions are entitled to reasonable adjustments. There are still far too many cases where school staff are not getting the sorts of adjustments that would automatically be provided to pupils. You can find the basic guide to what you should expect here: https://orb.edinburgh.gov.uk/employee-wellbeing/reasonable-adjustments/3. I’d particularly urge neurodiverse members to request a neurodiversity assessment (done via OH – speak to your line manager/HT/BM) to see what supports can be put in place. If you think there is more that needs to be done, speak to your rep in the first instance and, if issues remain, get in touch with the LA office.
I hope the rest of your week goes well. Stay safe and well and, as always, let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 28 October 2024
Dear EIS member
I hope you are well, and had a good weekend. A few very quick updates for you.
CEC payslips and pay dates
As you know, CEC has been updating its HR system. This has meant that payslips for October have not been available as early as usual. However, they should be available to review today. CEC is encouraging all employees to check them carefully, to ensure that they are correct. If you do spot any errors, or are unclear about anything, then the first thing you should do is either talk to your Business Manager, or contact the askHR team on 0131 469 5555. As per usual, we should all be paid on the last Thursday of the month, so 31st October. Remember that this month will not include the uplift and back pay resulting from our pay award – that will happen in November.
Writing successful motions for EIS AGMs
The EIS prides itself on being a member-led organisation. The main way that members can direct the work of the union is by proposing motions that go to the local and national AGMs, where they are debated and voted on – those that were voted through then form the basis of the union’s work in the coming year. This applies for both local and national actions that members want to see carried out. This means that it is important that members understand what things are suitable topics for motions, and how to write motions that are compliant with the standing orders of the union. To this end, our national President, Allan Crosbie, will be running a training session on Monday 2nd December on Teams at 16.15. This is open to all Edinburgh members, though it will be particularly useful for reps, LA Executive members and anyone who has an issue where they want to see the EIS taking action. You can sign up for the course using this link or you can use this Teams link Join the meeting now
Winter social – 23rd January 2025
Don’t forget to register for the winter social. As well as a chance to meet fellow members and enjoy an informal get-together, this will also be an opportunity to mark Heather’s retirement, and thank her for all she has done for all of us over the years.
I hope you have a good week. Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 10 October 2024
Dear EIS Member,
I do hope your week has been going well, and that you are looking forward to a good break over the half-term. This is quite a short update, but it does have some important information.
CEC Payroll Update
As has been mentioned already, CEC has been updating its HR and payroll systems. This should all now be live, and employees should be able to get access to their HR info. You can find out more here: https://orb.edinburgh.gov.uk/new-hr-payroll-system
Teacher Pay Award
Hopefully everyone has seen the communications from CEC about when they will be applying the uplift resulting from the recent pay award. Just in case anyone missed it, you can find the info here – Pay awards – The City of Edinburgh Council – though there is a summary here for those who cannot access the orb link.
ASL Review
The ASL Review has reached its midpoint, and there have been a few changes to the initial proposal (including acceding to a union request to extend the closing date, to allow for the fact that next week is half-term). The final date is now 8th November. Information can all be found on the Orb here. As I am typing, the midpoint presentation and updated structure hasn’t been uploaded, but I have asked that these are placed on the page ASAP, and they should be there by the time you are reading this. I would continue to urge all members to read the proposals and think about the impacts.
CEC Budget
As we have talked about at length, CEC’s budget situation is not good… As part of trying to address this, the council are asking all employees to think about ways to save money and how to prioritise its services. I’ve spoken to many members who have bemoaned areas where they feel the council is wasting resources (procurement is an obvious one). This is your chance to point out the issues, and to suggest solutions – the more detailed and specific you can be, the better, and I would urge everyone to complete this survey before it closes on 31st October. The first few questions are locality focused, but they can be skipped if you don’t have anything to say – the key ones are towards the end. The survey has already been shared in a newsbeat article but, in case you have missed it, the link is here: Colleague Budget Engagement 2024 - City of Edinburgh Council - Citizen Space. Please do take a bit of time to fill it in.
I hope the last couple of days go well, and that you have a relaxing holiday, when it finally arrives. Stay safe and well, whether you are travelling or staying at home, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 7 October 2024
Dear EIS Member,
I hope you are well and looking forward to half-term. It has been a particularly busy few weeks, and I think we are all in need of a break. Before that, though, some key updates.
ASL Review
This continues to be a major area of work. We are in ongoing discussions with a range of different stakeholders around the proposals, with particularly complex discussions around those members on temporary contracts/in acting up roles, etc. I hope that I will soon be able to respond to the individual queries that have been coming in. I’m also going to hold an additional meeting for those members who are in the scope of the review on Tuesday 22nd October at 4pm on Teams. You can join at the link here or reply to this email if you want a calendar invite.
I would urge ALL members to read the inclusion review documentation, regardless of whether you are in scope or are school based. How we support pupils with additional needs is clearly crucial, so any restructuring of support will impact on all of us. You can find information about the proposals here. I know some branches are planning to hold meetings to discuss their views on the proposals, and that might be something you might want to consider in your school.
I’d also remind members of the HT/DHT network that you can either get in touch with me directly to share your views on the proposal, or you can join the Teams meeting tomorrow (Tuesday 8th) at 5.30pm that we are holding to discuss this. To join, click the link here or reply to this email for a calendar invite.
Education for Peace – Informal Discussion Meeting on 10th October
As a response to the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21st, the soft launch of the EIS Education for Peace policy booklet the previous day at EIS Council, and the TUC's support for a workplace day of action in solidarity with Palestine, Edinburgh Local Association is holding an informal discussion meeting on 10 October at 46 Moray Place 5pm-7pm. This is a chance for members to share ideas, talk through approaches to Peace Education, look at resources etc. If you are planning on coming along, do register here.
Other Queries
Given all that has been happening around the review, it has been particularly challenging to keep up with other queries. If you emailed me and have not had a response, I do apologise. I will be trying, in the coming days, to catch up on some of the backlog, but I cannot promise I will manage this before we break for half term. If your query is particularly urgent, please do message me again, or you can try to reach me via my mobile. If it can wait a little while, then that would be helpful. Do also remember that the other office bearers might be able to assist. If your query relates to health and safety matters, or to special schools, you can email Edinburgh LA Asst Secretary Tom Britton asstsecretaryedinburghla@eis.org.uk. If it relates to ICT, you can email Edinburgh LA President Phill Pearce edinburghlapresident@eis.org.uk. Or if it relates to primary school matters, both Phill and Edinburgh LA Vice President Claire Robertson edinburghlavicepresident@eis.org.uk can help.
Good luck with the rest of the week, and best wishes for a restful half-term when it finally arrives (though I may be emailing before then). In the meantime, stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other – a message that is more and more important as pressures build.
Alison
Secretary's Update 20 September 2024
Dear EIS Member
I hope you enjoyed both the long weekend and the consequently shorter working week. Though I certainly feel like I’ve tried to pack 5 days’ work into 4, and I imagine it has been the same for many of you. A few updates for you before the weekend starts.
ASL Review
The formal launch of the ASL Review took place on Tuesday. Obviously, in the coming weeks, our chief focus will be on supporting those members who are in the scope of the review, and who are looking at very significant changes to terms and conditions, working patterns, deletion of posts, etc. More on that momentarily. However, there is no doubt that such a significant review will have a knock-on impact on all of us, and on our ability to support pupils with additional needs. I would urge all members to read the proposals, which you can find here on the Orb, to think about what it might mean in your setting, and to raise any questions via the dedicated mailbox inclusion@edinburgh.gov.uk (you might want to cc me in, for info). I will, in the coming weeks, be reaching out to reps, our HT/DHT network, and other groups, to get their views, so as to better inform our response.
As for those colleagues who are directly in scope… Firstly, thanks to those who have cc’d me into the questions you are raising about the review. That really is very helpful. I hope you will understand that I might not reply individually to all of those messages – but they are certainly helping us to shape our response, and the questions we will be raising in a number of forums. What I will endeavour to do in the coming days (but it might well take some time) is get back to individuals who have specific concerns about matters related to terms and conditions, their own situation, etc. Some of these will be resolved quite quickly (I believe clarity has already been issued around the retention of Chartered Teachers) and others may take longer. Given the complex nature of some of the queries, I’d ask for your patience for another week or so – but if you haven’t had a reply by 1st October, do get back to me.
We have already arranged two meetings for those members in scope. The first is this coming Wednesday (25th) at 4pm. This is a hybrid meeting, being held at EIS HQ, 46 Moray Place and on Teams (please click here to join the Wednesday meeting online). If you want to attend in person, you MUST email us before Wednesday to let us know, purely so we know how many to expect and can make appropriate arrangements. The next meeting will be Friday 1st November, at 1.30pm – same arrangements, though the link to join is here. We are also arranging smaller meetings for specific groups of impacted staff and can set up further meetings if necessary.
CEC Budget
This review links closely to our wider Save Our Schools Campaign on the CEC budget, and we will be working hard to ensure councillors, parents, and the public are kept fully informed of all that is happening, and is likely to happen, both now and in the coming years. A big part of this is challenging the lack of permanent teaching roles within CEC – something we have been raising with the council for some time now, and which the ASL review has thrown into even sharper relief.
Reasonable Adjustments
Anyone with a long-term health condition or disability is entitled to expect their employer to make reasonable adjustments to allow them to fulfil their duties. This is something that can work extremely well – but does not happen consistently enough, and there are too many instances of people not getting the support they need. CEC is committed to rolling out better support and training – but, as always, this is being hindered by lack of resource. I hope to lay on some sessions for members and reps to outline some things that might help but, in the meantime, I would urge both members who might need such adjustments and, very importantly, anyone with line management responsibility to make sure you are familiar with the CEC toolkit, as it signposts people towards the supports available.
Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry
The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry is inviting young people, teachers, and other education professionals from across Scotland to share their experiences of the pandemic. If you want to contribute, follow this link.
I hope you enjoy your weekend – and that the weather improves for all of us. Regardless of whether we do get any more sun, I hope you stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.
Alison
Secretary's Update 6 September 2024
Dear EIS member
It’s nearly the weekend. Let’s hope the weather improves for it…
Ballot on pay offer – PLEASE VOTE!
Everyone should have received an email with information about the latest pay award, including the reasons why the Salaries Committee is recommending accept. However, as it said, the ultimate decision lies with the membership, so it is vital that everyone makes sure their voice is heard. This is a tight turnaround – the ballot closes at noon on Wednesday – so, if you haven’t voted, please do so now. If you didn’t receive your ballot email (and If it’s not in your junk or spam folders) then email the EIS membership department.
New HR and payroll system
The old system shuts down on Thursday 12th so, if there is any information you need to download and save, that needs to happen before then. More information is here on the Orb.
CEC Budget
On Tuesday, the EIS made a deputation to the Education, Children and Families Committee about the devastating impact the proposed cuts will have on our ability to deliver quality education to the children of Edinburgh. You can see the webcast here (our deputation was the first) and you can read about some of the key points we made here. We’ll continue to lobby around this in the coming weeks, including meeting with councillors, contacting parent groups and speaking to the press. We need to make sure we Save Our Schools!
Other issues
We are, at the same time, continuing to work on a range of other issues, including ICT in schools, staff wellbeing, workload, the lack of permanent contracts etc. The Edinburgh LA Executive are looking at ways we can further support branches in tackling the challenges we face in our working lives. A key to making positive change is collective action at school level (we are a union, after all). If you think it would be helpful to have one of the office bearers come out to meet with your branch, do please get in touch. We are keen to have more branch meetings, and to talk to members about how we can better work together.
Do enjoy your weekend, and don’t forget to vote! Stay safe and well, and keep on being kind.
Alison
If you would like to view an older newsletter, please get in touch with edinburghla@eis.org.uk.
