Created on: 04 Sep 2025
The Scotland Demands Better campaign, led by the Poverty Alliance, aims to persuade politicians to make the changes we need for a society where every household can thrive and prosper. The EIS is a supporter of the campaign as it aligns with our policy of standing up for quality education and increased public investment.
The Scotland Demands Better campaign will be holding a march and rally on 25th October in Edinburgh. The event will be a family-friendly rally with a festival vibe, including music, speeches and entertainment.
The EIS is making arrangements for members to attend the march, and more details will follow soon.
Action for Reps: Hold 25th October for the march and rally, and encourage members to join too. Keep an eye out for more details from your Local Association and EIS social media.
We are holding a National Organising Conference for reps and activists on Saturday 4th October in Glasgow. Reps will be invited to attend a series of workshops on organising and campaigning, as well as hearing from a range of keynote speakers including our General Secretary, Andrea Bradley. It will also be an opportunity for reps and activists to network and meet a range of EIS staff and external speakers.
More details and event registration will follow soon.
Action for Reps: Hold 4th October for the Organising Conference and keep an eye out for registration details.
TIE’s Teachers’ Gathering is an annual, free event which provides teachers who are interested in advancing their practice in LGBT Inclusive Education, opportunities to:
Build confidence in LGBT Inclusive Education resource creation through guidance and discussion
Share their voices on the continued implementation of this work
Take inspiration from primary and secondary educational showcases
Network with other teachers.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided. The Gathering will be followed by a social event featuring entertainment from a special guest.
For more information and to register for the event, scan this QR code:
Action for Reps: Please share the event with colleagues and encourage participation.
The Gwen Mayor Memorial Trust was established in March 1996 following the tragic events in Dunblane Primary School when the teacher, Gwen Mayor, lost her life along with 16 pupils of the school. The purpose of the Trust is “to advance education by providing financial support for projects in connection with the arts, culture, music or sport submitted to the Trustees”.
Applications are now invited from primary schools and departments in Scotland. Proposed projects should fall within the purpose of the fund as set out above. Requests for full or partial funding of projects will be considered.
Action for Primary Representatives: More information is included in the enclosed letter. Please submit all applications by Friday 26 September 2025.
We train reps to be effective, knowledgeable and confident in their work. We also train activists so that they may support members and reps in our schools and workplaces, and perhaps eventually become reps themselves.
We provide EIS Representatives, Health & Safety, Learning and Equality Reps with a structured programme of training delivered by college tutors and our staff.
EIS Stage 1 Courses for new Reps and Activists
Future training course dates for new reps and activists are now available for the 2025-26 session, including courses in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aviemore and online. If you want to learn more, or have recently become a new Rep, then please explore our courses via the following link:
https://www.eis.org.uk/meetings-and-events/reptraining
EIS Stage 2 Course for Experienced Reps
We are also delivering an online EIS training course for experienced reps or reps who wish to upskill their casework, negotiation and campaigning skills. The Stage 2 EIS Reps’ course is an online course delivered by college lecturers over twenty weeks – starting in late September 2025 and finishing around Easter 2026. It is TUC-accredited. There will be an induction day at Fife College on 30 September for the EIS cohort. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please visit the link and complete the online form at: https://www.eis.org.uk/content/courseregistration/1034 by 18th September if you wish to register for this training.
Should you require any assistance, please email Sophie Cooper Scooper@eis.org.uk
Action for Reps: If you are a Rep or know of an activist who wishes to attend EIS training, please contact your LA Secretary to apply for an EIS training course.
Unions are strongest when we have as many members as possible and when they are engaged. The new session is the time to approach new colleagues at your school and invite them to join your branch or welcome them to the Branch if they are already a member.
Please also promote EIS membership with any probationer teacher at your school. Newly qualified teachers can benefit from free membership of the EIS for their whole probationary year, and further discounted membership beyond this period. Further details are available via the probationers' section of the EIS website: https://www.eis.org.uk/probationers/probationers-home
Some new teachers may just have finished their probation and have free EIS membership until January 2026. However, they need to confirm their direct debit details with the EIS as soon as possible to confirm membership. Please stress the benefits of EIS membership to such staff.
Action for Reps: Reach out and talk with all new staff and probationers.
It is important for EIS reps to have two-way communications with their Local Association – to share what is happening in their school and to hear what is happening at the local authority level.
We also have a team of EIS Organisers that support their own Local Associations and who visit branches to discuss our latest campaigns, local campaign issues and to provide support to reps.
Action for Reps: Please engage with your Local Association Secretary and attend LA meetings if you can. Please reach out to your local EIS Organiser to attend a branch meeting or if you require support as a rep.
https://www.eis.org.uk/contacts/organisers and https://www.eis.org.uk/contacts/localassociation