|
|
Working Time Agreement 2026-27: Negotiation and Sign-off
|
Negotiation of your WTA for the next school year typically continues across the spring and concludes in May or June. Guidance and resources are available on the EIS website. Keep an eye out for WTA training led by your Local Association.
To assist you in your WTA, use this check list to remember key things to consider in your negotiations:
- Time allocated to collegiate activities should reflect an honest assessment of how long this work takes, as evidenced by the audit conducted by EIS members of your current year’s WTA.
|
|
|
|
- The final WTA should be consistent with LNCT policies, which may include maximum or minimum hours associated with specific collegiate activities.
- The school calendar and WTA should be developed in tandem and should be consistent with one another. This is crucial to ensure that workload is distributed appropriately across the year.
- The days on which collegiate activities are planned in the calendar (e.g. staff meetings, assessment and moderation activities, etc.) should take into account the days on which any part-time staff actually work.
- It is always appropriate for reps to pause negotiations with the headteacher to seek members’ perspectives on changes and compromises for a new WTA.
- The final WTA and school calendar should be signed off, when agreed, by the EIS rep, any other teachers’ union reps at the school, and your headteacher.
- If agreement cannot be reached on your new WTA and school calendar, then ‘Failure to Agree’ is a formal outcome which involves the LNCT Joint Chairs arriving at a compromise. If you think this outcome is likely in your negotiations, please get in touch with your LA Secretary to discuss.
If you wish support in approaching WTA activity, please contact your EIS Organiser. Details for contacting your organiser or your LA Secretary are at the end of this bulletin.
|
Actions for Reps: Continue to progress WTA negotiations in your school and seek support from your EIS Organiser and Local Association as appropriate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Schools: Guidelines and Guardrails
|
In March 2026, the Scottish Government published the ‘Scottish Guidelines and Guardrails for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Schools’ guidance. This guidance was produced following close collaboration with the EIS and input from other partners.
|
|
|
|
Look out for short videos explaining each of the five key principles underpinning responsible use of AI in education. These videos will be released on the EIS website and social media throughout May.
Action for Reps: Please read and consider how the new Guidelines and Guardrails apply in your context and highlight this to members.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EIS Joint Equality Networks Gathering: Let’s Change the Story
|
This Joint Equality Networks Meeting is open to members who are disabled, neurodivergent, Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or under 30 years of age. It is also open to all EIS Equality Representatives.
Details: Friday 29 May 2026, 6:00pm - 8:00pm, EIS Glasgow Area Office
Reasonable travel expenses will be covered by EIS Headquarters.
|
|
|
|
Find out more on our website, and complete the registration form on the EIS website.
Action for Reps: Please highlight this event to members.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stories About Transgender People in Education
|
Following on from Transgender Visibility Day, we want to hear your stories and experiences to help inform the EIS's work in support of transgender staff and learners' rights and equality. We know that the last year has been difficult for the transgender community,many of whom are our valued colleagues and pupils.
|
|
|
|
We are keen to hear from you about experiences of good practice and positive stories as well as any challenges encountered at this time. To share your experience,please take some time to engage in our short survey.
Please note this survey is open to all members.
Action for Reps:Please highlight the survey to members.
|
|
|
|
Time for Inclusive Education Webinar:Challenging Homophobic Bullying
|
Members are reporting that prejudice-based bullying and language - including homophobia - is becoming increasingly commonplace in educational establishments.
This practical webinar,offered by TIE,will focus on how schools can respond effectively to homophobic bullying,highlighting key interventions set out in national guidance and sharing examples of effective practice.
Details:Wednesday 13th May,4pm - 5pm
Register for this webinar
Action for Reps:Please highlight this event to members.
|
|
|
|
Digital Discourse Initiative
|
The Digital Discourse Initiative programme provides schools with tools and strategies to counter the effects of disinformation and online hate,on children and young people. After a successful pilot,free interactive educational workshops for learners between P6 to S6,designed to support critical and digital media literacy,will soon be available to schools.
if you would like to be notified when bookings open,please join the waiting list.
|
Action for Reps:Please highlight this resource to members.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming PACT Training Days
|
The EIS will be offering a series of national poverty-related professional learning sessions as part of the PACT Programme.
PACT is a professional learning offer for educators in Scotland,rooted in the principles of social justice and equity.
|
|
|
|
It is designed to support educators to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the nature,causes,and consequences of poverty,and its impact on learners,families,and wider communities.
If you or your colleagues are interested in joining us,more information on the times and dates,as well as guidance on how to register,can be accessed on our website. PACT offerings can also be tailored to be delivered locally for schools or local associations. Please get in touch with your LA Secretary or the Education and Equality Department if you would like to explore a local tailored session.
Action for Reps:Please consider coming along to one of the PACT sessions and share details of the sessions with members you think would be interested in attending.
|
Professional Learning Courses,Webinars and Resources
|
Online and in-person courses are being delivered throughout May and are now available to book.
For more information on what’s on offer or to book a place,please visit the EIS Professional Learning Courses & Seminarspage.
Action for Reps:Please signpost members to the PL section of the website where the range of opportunities available is outlined.
|
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 eventually become reps themselves.
EIS TUC H&S Reps’ Training
The final Health and Safety reps’ training course is planned for this session,details below:
Glasgow (City of Glasgow College - City Campus,Cathedral St):7th – 8th May 2026.
Find out moreand contact your LA Secretary to be nominated to attend.
EIS Stage 1 Courses for new Reps and Activists
The EIS Stage 1 course is a 4-day course that is offered in 2 x 2-day blocks and is aimed at reps who are relatively new in the role,those who have had no formal union training or activists who are thinking of becoming a rep. We recommend that all reps and as many activists as possible attend the EIS Stage 1 Representatives training course. New editions of this course will become available in the next session.
Find out more information and register your interest.
Action for Reps: Please attend EIS Stage 1 for Reps Course if you have not already done so or if you wish to have a training refresh.
|
Engagement with Local Association and EIS Organisers
|
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 support reps.
Action for Reps: Please engage with your Local Association Secretaryand attend LA meetings if you can. Please reach out to your local EIS Organiserto attend a branch meeting or if you’d like support as a rep.
|
|
|
|
|
