Minutes of Council 2017-2018

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Minutes of Council

Printed and published by The Educational Institute of Scotland, 2017-2018 46 Moray Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BH, www.eis.org.uk, June 2018

Contents Page No

Annual General Meeting, 8 June 2017 1 - 49

Council, 29 September 2017 50 - 118

Council, 24 November 2017 119 - 153

Council, 26 January 2018 154 - 177

Council, 9 March 2018 178 - 215

Council, 11 May 2018 216 – 243

Index

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 8 JUNE 2017

The One Hundred and Seventy First Annual General Meeting of the Educational Institute of Scotland was constituted in the Concert Hall, Perth on 8 June 2017 at 2.15 pm by declaration of the President, Margaret Smith, who took the Chair.

(1) SEDERUNT - It was decided that the Registration Cards collected as follows should be adopted as the Sederunt of the meeting:

Council

President (Margaret Smith), Vice-President (Nicola Fisher), Vice- President-Elect (Alison Thornton), General Secretary, Accountant, Assistant Secretaries Belsey, Bradley and Wilson ; N Anderson, D Baxter, A Bell, M Bell, J Black, T Britton, S Burns, M Callaghan, S Caniffi, F Carey, G Carlin-Kulwicki, A Carr, A Cheyne, H Connor, R Constable, R Cullen, P Currie, N Dasgupta, S Davidson, L Delargy, M Delargy, J Dennis, P Dixon, M Dolan, P Duncan, M Dunn, J Dyer, D Farmer, K Fella, C Finlay, R Fyfe, A Gardiner, G Gillan, S Gillespie, L Glen, D Gluckstein, J Gow, P Gower, W Hamilton, A Harvey, J Hill, A Howie, H Hughes, G Hunter, L Hunter, J Hutchinson, G Jarvie, P Jeffrey, J Jowers, J Kelly, M Kelly, D Kenny, H Kilgour, S Kordiak, G Laird, J Lennon, A MacDonald, A McAuley, L McBride, K McCalman, K McClelland, C McCombie, M McCrossan, D McDonough, J McIntyre, P Manley, M Matheson, J Miller, K Mitchell, K Mohammed, D Morris, A Morrison, J Mullen, T Munro, A Murphy, A O’Halloran, A Palmer, M Paul, P Pearce, S Peter, E Porrelli, J Pringle, S Quinn, B Ramsay, M Rideout, G Roberts, C Rose, D Ross, I Ross, J Rowe, C Scott, I Scott, H Sedgwick, S Shah, A Skillen, S Slater, D Smith, G Smith, D Smithyman, P Stewart, A Sutcliffe, J Swinburne, E Swinley, S Talboys, C Thorpe, T Tracey, N Watt, J Welsh, C Yates, I Young.

Local Associations

Aberdeen - I Ahmad, H Celnik, H Collie, N Duncan, D Haywood, D Innes, S McGuire, C Russell.

Aberdeenshire - M Bayliss, D Cooper, G Merson, A Stickle.

Angus - E Fleming, C Jukes, C Kerr, M Kiddie, G Lawrence.

Argyll & Bute - G McCrossan, D Semple, L Stewart.

Clackmannanshire - K Farrell, D Hurley, G Joyce.

Dumfries & Galloway - E Dennis, B Dewar-Riddick, R Fritchley- Simpson, C Johnston, A McClure, A Stoddart.

Dundee - G Black, A Gallacher, D Gibson, A Hope.

East Ayrshire - G Boyd, S Perez Coughlan, H McTaggart, L Wright.

East Lothian - C Bishop, L Gillies, J Glacken, J Kyle.

East Renfrewshire - O Crook, J Gourley, S Kelly, J McIntosh, M Roy.

Edinburgh - S Bain, M Bracewell, A Crosbie, M Devoy, B Harris, C Kelly, R Knowles, E MacDonald, S MacDonald, L Malarky, A Mansur, M Moonie, S Scott, M Smith.

Falkirk - I Campbell, J Chalmers, K Jenner, J Walker.

Fife - J Armstrong, J Chrystal, M Flannery, B Gallagher, J Gillespie, M Johnston, W Pirie, J Soutar, M Swan, P Wishart.

Glasgow - L Carey, P Carroll, L Corlett, A Fullwood, A Gillespie, K Kelly, M MacDonald, M MacDonald, J McCormick, A McDermott, I Montgomery, J O’Neill, M Pattison, V Pope, S Richardson, C Ritchie, M Sagan, M Schaschke.

Highland - J Moran, G Scott, K Scott, S Tillman, A Whiteford, C Whiteford.

Inverclyde - J Girkins, P McEwan, C Nicol.

Midlothian - P Alexander, J Glen, M Ireland.

Moray - G Bissett, D McDonald, G Ross, A Stuart.

North Ayrshire - E Blake, I Carr, J Mackenzie, I McLaughlan, M Smith.

North Lanarkshire - A Duffy, C Glover, R Mathieson, I McCleary, M McMahon, J Slaven.

Orkney - J Ferguson, M Maley, S Thain.

Perth & Kinross - B Berhane, E Campbell, M Laurie, S Peddie, T Summers, C Weston.

Renfrewshire - R Craig, A Davren, N Macdonald, G Morris, M Russell, D Thomson, J Tonner.

Scottish Borders - L Bertram, A Cumming, T McColm, J Thomson.

Shetland - C MacKenzie, M Moss, I Tait.

South Ayrshire - J McNair, T Robinson, R Shanta.

South Lanarkshire - D Brown, E Burns, G Cunningham, C Devlin, M Fleming, J Gaffney, L Knighton, C Lynagh, A Lynch, P Meehan, S O’Brien, F Trainer.

Stirling - D Auldjo, L Ferns, E Leitch, R Pearson.

West Dunbartonshire - G Corrigan, J Halfpenny, E McEachen, D Wilson.

West Lothian - E Aitken, M Donnelly, R Glover, M Green, J Mackinnon, R McCann, M Traynor, S Warner.

Western Isles - S Blane, K MacDonald, D Murray.

EIS-ULA - E Cook, D McEwan.

(2) INVITED GUESTS - The President extended a welcome to all guests.

(3) ROLL OF DELEGATES - The General Secretary laid on the table the list of delegates, duly entered on the prescribed forms and certified as correct by the President and Secretary of each local association and self-governing association, which, in accordance with Rule VIII.5, formed the Roll of Delegates.

(4) OBITUARY - The President referred to members who had died since the last Annual General Meeting and delegates stood in silent remembrance.

Obituary List

Ronnie Alexander, West Dunbartonshire Local Association Archibald Armour, Past President, FEIS Margo Curran, North Lanarkshire Local Association June Jackson, North Lanarkshire Local Association Neil Thomson, North Lanarkshire Local Association Katherine Haddow, North Lanarkshire Local Association Mike Furneaux, Midlothian Local Association

(5) KINDRED ORGANISATIONS - The President welcomed the following delegates from kindred organisations: AFT Dan Montgomery AHDS Greg Dempster ATL Shelagh Hirst ETUCE Susan Flocken INTO Joe Killeen NASUWT Scott McGimpsey, Darren Wapplington NUT Mike McDonald SLS Jim Thewliss SSTA Kevin Campbell, Seamus Searson STUC Grahame Smith

TUI Barry Williams UCU Joanne De Groot UCU Scotland Ann Gow, Mary Senior UTU David Thompson, Jacqui White

Susan Flocken, ETUCE, conveyed greetings to the Institute on behalf of the organisations represented.

(6) PRESIDENT’S RETIRING ADDRESS - The Vice-President invited the President to address the meeting. The President’s speech was as follows:

Welcome to the 171st Annual General Meeting of the Educational Institute of Scotland in Perth.

Thanks to the Provost of Perth and Kinross Council Dennis Melloy for his kind words of welcome on behalf of the council, the citizens of the Fair City and of Perth and Kinross.

I am honoured and delighted to have served as EIS President this year and hope that I have represented you well. I trust that members of Executive Committee and Council feel that their voices have been heard at our meetings and that all delegates, should they be speaking for the first or, indeed for some delegates, for the last time in our debates over the next 3 days, will be made to feel welcome and their contributions, however short, are valued by everyone.

I must thank the staff and officials at HQ for their patience, encouragement and above all their support which has been given to me over the last 2 years. Until you are involved at this level in the union, you are unaware of the vast amount of work which is undertaken by everyone in Moray Place and the EIS area Offices, on a daily basis, all the paperwork they have to prepare, the travel arrangements to be made etc.

Thank you to my Local Authority, Falkirk Council and Children’s Services, in particular, for their overwhelming support in backing my nomination for Vice President and President and giving the Local Association the facility time for me to carry out these roles. Thanks to Falkirk Local Association for the Nomination and supporting me through the last 2 years.

I would like to thank the recent Past Presidents for their help and advice and to Tommy Castles, Pat Flanagan and Nicola Fisher as fellow Office Bearers for their support and help over the last 2 years. May I take this opportunity to wish Nicola and Alison my very best wishes in their year of Office as President and Vice President for session 2017-18.

Most of all I would like to thank my family and friends for putting up with me through these times – for being there for me – propping me up when I was doubting myself, for putting up with my full - on diary - having to cancel nights out with friends at the last minute.

I am grateful to my parents who believed in giving the family a good solid education and supported us through school and college. We were lucky to have been coming through the system when we did and that we were able to stay on in school until 6th year, to come through the comprehensive system, to access higher education with grants and to have the opportunity to further our education through life - long learning opportunities. My daughter Heather, my son in law Stuart and my Grand daughter Skye Rose also deserve my thanks for their support and also for looking after the house and the dog whilst I have been away. Ian, my husband is now going to feel so embarrassed that I am thanking him from the platform, but without his love, his understanding, his backing and his support I could not have taken on the role of President of the EIS.

My sincere thanks to everyone.

My year as National President has passed very quickly and most of that due to the busy schedule unfolding over the year.

One event, however, has dominated the headlines since we last gathered in Dundee and that is of course Brexit and its consequences. On 29 March 2017, the Prime Minister triggered Article 50 of the EU Lisbon Treaty thereby initiating the UK’s exit from the European Union.

Health and safety protections and our hard won employment rights protections will now be at risk during these Brexit negotiations. While the previous government set out its intention in a White Paper to transfer all existing health and safety protections from EU law to UK law, there are no guarantees that this will actually happen.

Whoever wins the General Election today and begins the Brexit negotiations in just 11 days’ time, there must be firm commitments written into any final agreement to safeguard EU standards for workplace health and safety in the UK. There also has to be a cast iron guarantee to transfer current protections from EU law to UK law.

In addition, the next Government must very quickly end the uncertainty for certain workers by confirming that it will give current EU migrants a right to remain in the UK after Brexit. These colleagues work beside us on a daily basis in our nurseries, our schools, our colleges and our universities. The current uncertainty is hugely worrying for these EIS members and their

families who have made Scotland their home. A decision on their futures must be made swiftly and these members should not be used as bargaining chips in the forthcoming discussions.

For me, one of the most enjoyable parts of being an Office Bearer of the EIS is going out to Local Associations, meeting members, speaking at Local Association AGMs, visiting schools and being in the classroom. Thanks to all LAs who have organised visits, the wonderful welcome and hospitality received. One of the most memorable was to Stirling Local Association, to the village school in Plean- a school where I was the Nursery teacher for 9 happy years. The old school has been replaced by a wonderful, light new building, but the warm, welcome, caring ethos within the school still remains – a school with the community at its heart. It pleased me greatly to see that the council had been able to preserve the stone name plate and had it installed inside the new school. I took a small photo album, presented to me when I left. 3 members of staff who were there at the time are still there and able to recognise the pupils – in fact some now were parents of pupils in the school – I hasten to add in the early years!! Some of the staff asked if I miss being in the classroom – I had to honestly say that I am enjoying what I do now – a far cry from the classroom and the Nursery – I do miss the things young children say and observations they make about you – your latest haircut, your clothes and of course, your new shoes.

The year also involves meetings with Education spokespeople from all political parties in Scottish Government. They certainly gave us time and listened to what we said but whether or not they heard what we were saying is another matter. I believe that our views, the views of the EIS membership, are highly regarded and respected – mainly because, in my opinion, we represent 80% of the teaching profession and are involved in Education from Nursery, Primary, Secondary, Special, Further and Higher Education – able to give a complete picture of Scottish Education from the practitioners’ points of view. I just wished they would give teachers time to embed changes before more changes are made – Education is not a football to be kicked around the playground at Holyrood – our pupils and students matter to us. We would not be in the profession if they didn’t matter to us.

We were also represented at all Political Party conferences – either holding lunchtime fringes or through our stalls in their exhibitors areas. These events are important for the Institute because it is through participating in them that we hear views from their activists about Scottish Education and what matters to them. Also, more importantly, we take the opportunity to express to them what matters to teachers in the classroom.

The Institute responded to the Governance Review – submitting a sizeable document as expected. It was felt that, at the time of submission the Government’s Consultation Document was a very

open one - it was challenging but suggested that nothing had been pre - determined, there were no specific proposals to which we could directly respond. It was, and remains our view, that this was an initial consultation and once more specific proposals emerge, we hope that there will be scope for future more detailed dialogue.

The Institute plays a role in the TUC and this year sent a sizeable delegation to Brighton and put 2 motions to congress, both were well received by the delegates. We also have a presence on STUC with 3 members on Council – a great honour for 2016-17 both for the Institute and on a personal level was that our own Helen Connor was elected as President and I believe her classroom skills and class management skills were well used at congress in Aviemore! I am only sorry that I was unable to attend congress this year as Delegation Leader due to a family bereavement. I am grateful for the support received from Headquarters during this difficult time for our family. I know that Nicola as VP, more than filled my shoes.

I have been honoured to represent the EIS at other Teacher Trade Union conferences – at Stirling, Newcastle County Down, Belfast, Crieff, Liverpool and Cardiff. Common themes emerge at the conferences – pay, conditions of service, teacher shortages, trust in the profession, workload, pensions…...

Nicola, Larry and I travelled to Belgrade in December for the ETUCE conference and again similar themes emerged and discussed by our colleagues across Europe.

As President, I have been able to attend all committees and sub committees of the Institute and see the vast amount of work undertaken by each. This work is, of course, generated by the AGM resolutions, so what we decide over the next 3 days informs the work of the Institute for next session.

I have also attended as many of the ULA and FELA Executive meetings as I could and had the honour of speaking at their Annual conferences. Through my attendance at these meetings I feel that I have gained so much insight into the workings of the Self - Governing Associations and into the problems they are facing – e.g. part time contracts, zero hours contracts, class contact, preparation and marking time, which University lecturers can and cannot do research – to name but a few…. This session FELA lecturers have been very much in the news and rightly so. Last year they struck a deal with the employers and up to now the pay element which should have been paid out on 1st April. A year on had not been paid out. The FELA negotiators were tireless and gave every opportunity to management to Honour The Deal.

I have been on the picket line at my local college Forth Valley and witnessed, both in person and through social media, the growth in numbers on the picket lines outside the colleges across the country, from Galashiels to Stornoway from weeks 1 and 2 and onwards - more lecturers out demonstrating and angry at the way they are being treated. Students were angry and backed their lecturers. The Executive Committee and Council gave their backing to the dispute, Local Associations sent messages of support. There were a number of Rallies across the country, some of which I was able to attend. They were noisy, well attended and I think that Scottish Politicians in Holyrood, the general public and tourists were under no illusion that the lecturers are united in their cause. In the early hours of Friday 19th May the negotiators had failed to agree but agreed to meet again at 10am, all day the negotiations went on and at about 5pm, whilst at the SSTA Congress in Crieff, a message came through saying that a deal had been struck. Such a relief for all round. The negotiators, led by John Kelly, EIS-FELA President, Pam Currie EIS-FELA Vice – President, Charlie Montgomery and Jim O’Donovan were tireless. Our serving officials Assistant Secretary David Belsey and the General Secretary were tireless – they fought and they won.

A very noisy, well attended rally was held in George Square, Glasgow, on 20th May. It had a very different mood from the previous Rallies – smiles all around - even smiles from the tired worn out face of the negotiators.

FELA have certainly held the banners high, made their voices heard and have set down markers for any dispute within the Institute and indeed for the wider trade union movement. In the local EIS office in Falkirk, we have a poster which states United we bargain- Divided we beg – FELA have truly fulfilled this sentiment and set us all an example of collectivism, building a campaign, building confidence in members to carry out the campaign, building belief that the campaign would end in success – our unity is our strength.

We as activists, school reps and members of the EIS must help to inform our members and help them to understand the impact the Trade Union Act, brought in this year, will have on our ballots and trade Union activities – We need to ensure very high numbers take part in ballots and of that high number there must be a high %age voting in favour of the action. It won’t be an easy task, but those of us as Local Association Secretaries, and more importantly, those of you who have everyday face to face contact with members will need to explain the importance of taking part in a ballot - otherwise any action required will just not happen – members will then be asking what are the Union doing about this – Colleagues - We are the Union. Not the General Secretary - Not the staff in Moray Place – Us – the paying members.

Since becoming the EIS President last June, we have launched some extremely useful resources for LNCTs and schools.

Sustain the Ambition was launched at the Head Teachers conference in Edinburgh – an independent and comprehensive research project by Professor Aline Wendy Dunlop at Strathclyde University, funded by the EIS, it confirms the importance of maintaining a registered teacher workforce in all pre-school settings. Employing the skills and leadership of qualified teachers is and always has been the best way to ensure that children’s educational experience is of the best quality and early exposure to a quality learning experience has many benefits many of which last long term. We are all aware that the Curriculum for Excellence is, and should be a seamless curricular model spanning the age range of 3 – 18 and therefore our youngest learners should receive quality teacher involvement which enhances their learning experiences and provides continuity into school. Early interventions are essential building blocks which help to minimise the impact of poverty on our youngest learners educational outcomes both in Early Years and beyond. This research is of great importance and raises awareness to all EIS members of the valuable work and unique contribution made by Nursery teachers in all Pre school settings across Scotland. I am a Nursery teacher with over 25 years experience in pre school - extremely passionate about early learning through play, by providing appropriate activities for the age and stage of the children, by following the childrens interests – it is not a watered down P1.

The Myths of Immigration booklets were launched at Holyrood and have been extremely well received by schools. Much to my delight, not long after the launch date, when visiting a local Primary school, I saw a well - thumbed booklet on a staffroom table. At the recent BME engagement event the booklets were the subject of one of the workshops. In schools we need to be using these booklets with our pupils to tackle the myths of immigration, break down barriers and give staff the confidence to tackle racist remarks made to staff and pupils alike. Our BME colleagues cannot and should not accept comments directed to them as part of life, accepted as the norm – we need to eradicate this abuse from our schools, our communities and society as a whole. We need to work with Initial Teacher Education to ensure that students, as part of their courses, receive Equalities training and that staff in schools receive training on a regular basis and indeed we will be addressing this as we move through our debates over the next 3 days.

My first duty as President was to chair the launch of Getting it Right for Girls. It was a great honour and privilege to do this at the Glasgow Women’s Library – a most appropriate venue.

This booklet gives us a resource to use in schools, to use as a starting point in discussions at branch level, raise emerging issues

with management, review school policies and practice, gives us confidence and advice to tackle misogynistic attitudes and language which surrounds us daily through songs, adverts, comments etc. Let’s be clear colleagues, - misogyny has no place in society, in our schools or in the lives of our young people and by getting it right for girls we will hopefully get it right for boys and get it right for the whole of our society.

Clearly the launch of Getting it right for Girls has highlighted some statistics which show that in public life there is a clear under representation of women – as an example only 29% of MPs and fewer than 35% of MSPs in Scotland are female.

In the teaching profession in 2015, according to the teacher census Primary teachers of all grades - 91% were female with 9% male, whist in Secondary teachers all grades 63% female to 37% male. However, the data on promoted posts did not reflect this proportionately – HT in Primary were 87% female to 13% male and in secondary there was a 40% to 60% in favour of male HTs.

As a union, we are very conscious of the need for gender balance on committees/ sub committees, the Appointments Panel etc. Local Association Secretaries are regularly asked about the gender balance on their Executive Committees / Board of Managements, AGM delegations etc.

As a matter of interest and for research for my speech today, I decided to go through some of the archived SEJ’s from a few years ago – I picked out a couple of years which were relevant to myself – 1968 – the year I went from Primary to secondary Education, 1974, the year I left school and went to Callendar Park College, in Falkirk, to start my teacher Training.

In 1968 the Principal of Callendar Park College was Elizabeth Leggat. A brief report appeared in the Journal of her speech at the diploma presentation ceremony. She stated, ‘In education the journey was of greater importance than the destination and it was the means more than the end which would enable pupils to come to terms with life’ – Was Miss Leggat looking into her crystal ball and saw a vision of what the Curriculum for Excellence was intended to be?

The 122nd AGM was held in the Music Hall in George St Edinburgh – the first time since 1924 that the AGM hadn’t been held in the Church of Scotland Assembly Hall on the Mound. Motions debated that year included – Conditions of Service, Free School Milk Provision, Affiliation to STUC, Religious Education and, of course, Salaries.

The President that year was Miss Helen Hyndman Dewar and in her speech at the opening ceremony, said – ‘While teachers strive to provide a better education service, society, which reaps the

benefit, will have to reappraise the value it sets on teachers.’ – Colleagues – sadly 49 years later I could be repeating that very same sentiment here today.

Miss Hyndman Dewar also highlighted that it was essential to recruit more graduates and teachers of practical and aesthetic subjects and particularly to encourage able pupils to enter such courses for teaching now.

The EIS were forecasting a shortage of teachers in the early 70’s. By 11 votes to 3 the National Executive resolved to welcome the deferment of the raising of the school leaving age until 1972/73 but because of the lack of reliable facts on future teacher supply, had reservations as to whether this date would be practicable.

Teacher shortage is still an issue as we all know, but perhaps not in the same subject areas – they are now across the board. How do we encourage more to enter and remain in the profession – Politicians - ask us we can give you the answers - pay us as professionals, treat us as professionals and as the debate on Conditions of service in 1968 reported – Teachers should be able to concentrate on their professional tasks – Make time for Teaching.

A survey of salary positions in Britain, in 1968 showed that for the previous 50 years, teachers had achieved a considerably smaller increase in their standard of living than most other groups of workers. The salaries offer that year was for 5.5% over 2 years. Recently, as we all know our pay increases have been 1% or 2.5% over 2 years. I found a payslip from 2011 and compared it with one from this session – although the gross figure was smaller, with all the increases in pension contributions and National Insurance my take home pay was quite a few pounds less.

Sad to say, but, not unexpectedly, the debates in 1968 on motions were led by men. Interestingly, 22 Fellowships of the Institute were awarded that year but of those only 3 were awarded to women.

A series of black and white photos displayed around Moray Place, show that there were a vast number of women present at AGMs and out on demonstrations, happy to participate to a degree in union activities – I suppose that the attitudes to participation of women was very different to today – Thank goodness for strong women breaking through the barriers placed in front of them by societal attitudes and paving the way forward for those of us here today, taking an active role in the EIS and giving women the confidence to take on more roles within the union. This coming session 3 women Office Bearers, 2 out of 4 of our committee convenors are women and 2 of our 3 Assistant Secretaries are women.

Moving ahead to 1974, the year I started teacher training – At a Special General meeting that year the EIS requested that the Secretary of State for Scotland appoint a working party to look at the Pay, Terms and Conditions of Service of teachers.

There was a work to rule outlining 5 principles on Workload, - the first of which was to set a limit of 40 children in class. This action was successful and Local authorities were persuaded to accept. The result was improved conditions for many overworked teachers.

Gilbert Bryden retired after 14 years as General Secretary of the Institute. The President was Alex Russell and the AGM was held in the MacRobert Centre in Stirling.

Motions again included salaries - of course, class sizes, conditions of service, maximum class contact time.

There was a call to cut class sizes to 25. A call for a 5 hour day, with 1 hour for preparation and correction, 190 days - including INSET days and interestingly a difference in class contact for promoted staff in Primary and Secondary. Class teachers in both sectors maximum of 20 hours class contact but - AHTs in secondary 13 hours, Primary 16, and DHTs in Secondary 5 hours but in Primary 10 hours.

There was a call for teachers to be able to retire at 55.

In his opening speech, the President Alex Russell said, ‘There was a need for teachers of quality in quantity!’ – again colleagues what has changed? Why were people not attracted to the profession then and why are they not attracted to the profession now? (Answers on a postcard!)

The FEIS awarded that year were 26 and only of these 4 were to women. I was interested to note that Dr Bain, Head of the Education Department at Callendar Park College received a Fellowship for his thesis.

I am delighted to report that more women were appearing in the report on AGM debates.

For those who like a bit of trivia - adverts appearing in the SEJ of 1974 - there was a large advert for Fife County Council – all the Rectors of the schools looking for teaching staff were male. Langside College were advertising for a Senior Teacher of PE (Man).

Teachers at that time were still wearing academic gowns and hoods – MA or MSc gowns advertised at £11.50 or I assume a

better quality one for £15. Hoods were £8 + 23p postage a packing.

Times have changed since the 60s and 70s – gone are the gowns being worn in school, gone is the use of the Lochgelly, gone is the difference in pay between Primary and Secondary colleagues, gone are the sexist job adverts, to name but a few. What hasn’t changed - pupils, families, communities, teachers, schools. What remain as issues for us as a profession – just to name a few -the overcrowded curriculum – especially in the Primary school, unnecessary assessments, staff shortages, we ask to be treated as professionals, we ask to be paid as professionals, we feel that there is a lack of trust in teachers as professionals, we ask to use our professional judgement, using our knowledge and our experience of working with the pupils in front of us day after day week after week.

We are a caring profession – We care about the quality of our education system. We care about standards of teachers entering the profession. We care about the quality of the lessons we plan and deliver on a daily basis. We care about the outcomes for our learners of all ages. We care about the families we work with and the communities in which we work. We care about wee Johnny or Mary coming into school late on a daily basis, hungry and tired, without a pencil, no homework done. We care about the attainment gap. We care about poverty and the inequalities of opportunity. Some of these are societal issues which we as a profession are unable to fix but we as a profession are blamed for. The extra money given to schools is welcome but is it going to close the gaps which exist? Are Standardised Assessments going to close the attainment gap? If we were listened to – really listened to and our ideas put into action – investment in Nursery teachers in all Nursery classes, smaller class sizes throughout the school, more teachers and more support for learning assistants would certainly go a long way to help close the attainment gap.

To conclude colleagues, I will read to you a little poem I always read to the Nursery parents at the conclusion of our end of session concert – I think it sums up teaching, our Curriculum for Excellence in a few lines without all the Es and Os, without the endless planning but most of all I think it sums up the wonderful profession to which we belong.

I want to teach my students more than lessons in a book I want to teach them deeper things that others overlook The value of a rose in bloom, its use and beauty too A sense of curiosity to discover what is true.

How to think and how to choose the right above the wrong How to live and learn each day, and grow up to be strong. To teach them always how to gain in wisdom and in grace So they will some day make the world a brighter, better place.

Let me be a friend and guide - to give these minds a start Upon their way down life’s long road, then I’ll have done my part.

(7) RECEPTION OF NEW FELLOWS - The Convener of the Board of Examiners, Norma Anne Watson, reported that, at the Statutory Meeting of Fellows held earlier in the day, the following persons had been admitted as Fellows of the Educational Institute of Scotland:

1. Members recommended for the Degree of FEIS by their respective Local Associations and Self-Governing Associations under Rule IV.1(a):

EDINBURGH LOCAL ASSOCIATION Alison Thornton, BSc, PGCE, Edinburgh Local Association Secretary; Vice President Elect

GLASGOW LOCAL ASSOCIATION Jayne Rowe, Bed (Hons), Seconded Development Officer, Education Services

SOUTH LANARKSHIRE LOCAL ASSOCIATION Joan Lennon, DipEd, Teacher, St Mark’s Primary School

WEST LOTHIAN LOCAL ASSOCIATION Elsie Aitken – Elizabeth, DipPR Ed, Former Head Teacher, Longridge Primary School

2. Recommendation under Rule IV(1)(c) “Special Category Fellow

Katrina Bowes, MPhil, Chief Executive, Tapestry.

Professor Henry Maitles, BSc (Hons), MPhil, University Lecturer and Assistant Dean of the School of Education, University of the West of Scotland.

(8) INTRODUCTION OF NEW PRESIDENT - The President introduced as her successor for the year 2017/2018, Nicola Fisher, Glasgow Local Association.

(9) NEW PRESIDENT SIGNS THE ROLL - Nicola Fisher signed the Roll of Presidents and returned thanks for her election. She then intimated her wish that, when the Ex-President, Margaret Smith, was in the Chair for the subsequent sessions of the Annual General Meeting, she should be addressed as President.

(10) INTRODUCTION OF NEW VICE-PRESIDENT - The President, Margaret Smith, announced that Alison Thornton, Edinburgh

Local Association had been elected Vice-President for the year 2017/2018.

(11) PRESENTATION OF BADGE TO PRESIDENT - In lieu of the Ex-President, Pat Flanagan, the General Secretary presented to the President, Margaret Smith, a badge, commemorating her year of office as President. Margaret Smith made suitable acknowledgement.

(12) PRESENTATION OF BADGE TO VICE-PRESIDENT - In lieu of the Ex-President, Pat Flanagan, the General Secretary presented to the Vice-President, Nicola Fisher, a badge, commemorating her year of office as Vice-President. Nicola Fisher made suitable acknowledgement.

(13) COUNCIL FOR 2017/2018 - The General Secretary declared that the Council for 2017/2018 had been elected as follows:

President No Contest Nicola Fisher Tinto Primary School

Vice-President No Contest Alison Thornton Seconded as LA Secretary

Ex-President No Contest Margaret Smith Seconded as LA Secretary

Local Association 01 Aberdeen City (5 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Heather Collie Seconded as LA Secretary Ronald Constable Loriston Primary School Carole Thorpe Loriston Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Michael Paul Kincorth Academy Susan Talboys Kincorth Academy

Local Association 02 Dundee (3 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Sasha Rooney Fintry Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest David Baxter Harris Academy Derek McDonough Baldragon Academy

Local Association 03 Edinburgh (9 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Tom Britton Redhall School

Alison Carr Colinton Primary School Phillip Pearce Sighthill Primary School Donald Smith Other Members

Secondary/Special No Contest Allan Crosbie James Gillespies High School Sonia Kordiak Wester Hailes Education Centre Alison Murphy Firrhill High School James Pringle Holyrood RC High School John Swinburne Other Members

Local Association 04 Glasgow (12 seats)

Primary/Nursery No of Votes Susan Quinn Seconded as LA Secretary 300 Jayne Rowe Education Services 272 Anne Gillespie Carmyle Primary School 250 Jean Jowers Cardonald Primary School 238 Carolyn Ritchie Cuthbertson Primary School 232 Desmond Kenny St Maria Goretti Primary School 185 Annmarie McDermott St Mungo’s Primary School 82

Secondary/Special No of Votes Frances Carey Rosshall Academy 271 Jean Miller Smithycroft Secondary School 235 Neil Anderson King’s Park Secondary School 223 Samreen Shah Bannerman High School 187 Andrew Fullwood Other Members 175 Jane Gow Lochend Community High School 78 Kenny Mitchell Rosshall Academy 77 James O’Neill Eastbank Academy 74

Local Association 06 Clackmannanshire (2 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Vacancy

Secondary/Special No of Votes Gavin Hunter Lornshill Academy 70 Karen Farrell Lornshill Academy 21

Local Association 10 The Scottish Borders (2 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Eilidh Porrelli Yetholm Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Graham Jarvie Earlston High School

Local Association 11 Angus (3 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Anna Cheyne Borrowfield Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Mike Callaghan Monifieth High School Pamela Manley Montrose Academy

Local Association 12 Argyll & Bute (2 seats)

Primary/Nursery No of Votes Alison Palmer Arrochar Primary School 108 Lorna Stewart Oban Education Office 66

Secondary/Special No Contest William Hamilton Dunoon Grammar School

Local Association 13 Dumfries & Galloway (3 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Kirsty McClelland Kirkcudbright Primary School Alison Palmer Kirkcudbright Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Andrew O’Halloran Annan Academy

Local Association 14 East Ayrshire (2 seats)

Primary/Nursery No of Votes Nicola Dasgupta Seconded as LA Secretary 123 Louise Wright Nether Robertland Primary School 71

Secondary/Special No of Votes Norman Watt Stewarton Academy 102 David Anderson East Ayrshire Education Department 45

Local Association 15 Falkirk (4 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Scott Peter Wallacestone Primary School Margaret Rideout Falkirk Council B & T P S Service

Secondary/Special No Contest Colin Finlay Bo’ness Academy John Walker Carrongrange School

Local Association 18 Renfrewshire (4 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Angela Howie St Mary’s Primary School Joan McCusker Rashielea Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Kenny Fella Seconded as LA Secretary John Welsh St Andrew’s Academy

Local Association 23 North Ayrshire (3 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Innes Young Dreghorn Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Ian Ross Other Members Gordon Smith Kilwinning Academy

Local Association 26 Fife (7 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Julie Chrystal Cardenden Primary School Jillian Gillespie Kinghorn Primary School Edith Swinley Kinglassie Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest David Farmer St Andrew’s RC High School Jane McKeownn Bell Baxter High School Pauline Stewart Waid Academy Peter Wishart Levenmouth Academy

Local Association 32 South Lanarkshire (7 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Terri Connolly Crosshouse Primary School Marian Kelly St Kenneth’s Primary School Joan Lennon St Mark’s Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Eddie Burns Duncanrig Secondary School Mike Dunn Calderglen High School Henry Kilgour Lanark Grammar School Bill Ramsay Seconded as LA Secretary

Local Association 36 Midlothian (2 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Sue Burns Cuiken Primary School

Secondary/Special No of Votes Fiona Gray Dalkeith High School 92 James Glen Newbattle High School 71

Local Association 37 East Lothian (2 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Gael Gillan Kingsmeadow Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Thomas Munro Ross High School

Local Association 38 West Lothian (4 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Jean Liddell Longridge Primary School Shirley Thomson Falla Hill Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Martyn Delargy Inveralmond Community High School Heather Hughes The James Young High School

Local Association 39 Moray (2 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Kirsty McCalman Bishopmill School

Secondary/Special No Contest Susan Slater Seconded as LA Secretary

Local Association 40 Orkney (2 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Jo Hill Papdale Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Julie Hutchinson Kirkwall Grammar School

Local Association 42 Perth & Kinross (3 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Carol Rose Robert Douglas Memorial Primary Carolyn Weston Community School of Achterarder

Secondary/Special No Contest Audrey McAuley St John’s RC Academy

Local Association 45 Western Isles (2 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Diane Smithyman Laxdale Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Barbara Mackay Sir E Scott School

Local Association 51 Shetland (2 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Valerie Hughson Dunrossness Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Steve Davidson Anderson High School

Local Association 52 North Lanarkshire (8 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Helen Connor Greenhill Primary School Louise Glen School Unknown Lorraine McBride Greenhill Primary School Megan McCrossan New Stevenston Primary

Secondary/Special No Contest Ricky Culllen Seconded as LA Secretary Alan Gardiner Greenfaulds High School Gavin Roberts Airdrie Academy Ian Scott Kilsyth Academy

Local Association 55 South Ayrshire (3 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Gary Laird Dalmilling Primary School Jacqueline McNair Forehill Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Stephen Gillespie Girvan Academy

Local Association 59 East Renfrewshire (3 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Sharon Kelly Mearns Primary School Des Morris Seconded as LA Secretary

Secondary/Special No Contest Jennifer Gourley Williamwood High School

Local Association 60 Highland (5 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Melanie Bell Helmsdale Primary School Caroline McCombie Tarradale Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Alistair Bell Golspie High School Robin Fyfe Inverness Royal Academy Steven Tillman Charleston Academy

Local Association 61 Aberdeenshire (7 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest John Black Fetterangus School Adrienne Guy Methlick School David Smith Seconded as LA Secretary

Secondary/Special No Contest Martin Bayliss Kemnay Academy Derek Ross Other Members Adam Sutcliffe The Gordon Schools Derek Thompson Westhill Academy

Local Association 62 Stirling (2 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Elaine Leitch Cambusbarron Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Ann Skillen SEBN Support Service

Local Association 67 West Dunbartonshire (2 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Caroline Yates Edinbarnet Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Michael Dolan St Peter the Apostle High School

Local Association 68 Inverclyde (2 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Paula McEwan St Andrew’s Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest James McDaid Inverclyde Academy

Local Association 69 East Dunbartonshire (3 seats)

Primary/Nursery No Contest Amanda Mackenzie Bearsden Primary School

Secondary/Special No Contest Andrene Bamford Seconded as LA Secretary James McIntyre Bearsden Academy

University Lecturers’ Association (4 seats) No Contest

Nicholas Cimini Edinburgh Napier University Khadija Mohammed University of the West of Scotland Vacancy Vacancy

Further Education Lecturers’ Association (10 seats) No Contest

Pam Currie Glasgow Kelvin College Paula Dixon Glasgow Clyde College Donny Gluckstein Edinburgh College Penny Gower Edinburgh College Eileen Imlah New College Lanarkshire John Kelly West College Scotland Peter Laverie Glasgow Clyde College George McAteer Dundee & Angus College Lorna Steele Forth Valley College Vacancy

(14) ADJOURNMENT - The Meeting adjourned at 3.15 pm.

(15) RESUMPTION - The Meeting resumed at 4.00 pm, the President, Margaret Smith, in the Chair.

(16) APPOINTMENT OF SCRUTINEERS - The President declared that the following delegates had been appointed as Scrutineers: Isman Ahmad Aberdeen Daniel Auldjo Stirling Sineag Blane Western Isles Eddie Burns South Lanarkshire Irene Campbell Falkirk Jim Glen Midlothian Jennifer Gourley East Renfrewshire Mairi Green West Lothian Bill Harris Edinburgh Clare Kelly Edinburgh Jacqueline Mackenzie North Ayrshire Lorna Malarky Edinburgh Isaac McCleary North Lanarkshire Debbie McDonald Moray Scott Peddie Perth and Kinross Sonia Perez Coughlan East Ayrshire Carolyn Ritchie Glasgow Jim Slaven North Lanarkshire Lorna Stewart Argyll and Bute Alan Stickle Aberdeenshire Murray Swan Fife Dawn Wilson West Dunbartonshire

(17) STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE - In the absence of the Ex- President, Pat Flanagan, the Convener of Standing Orders, Susan Quinn, submitted the following Minutes of meetings of the Standing Orders Committee, together with a supplementary oral report.

Standing Order Committee, 27 March 2017 (1) 11am - 2.10pm

Sederunt - President, Vice-President, Vice-President Elect, General Secretary, Assistant Secretary Belsey; J Chalmers, R Mackay, J Moore, S Quinn (Convener), M Roy.

Motions for the Annual General Meeting - The members of the Standing Orders Committee had in their hands copies of the proposed 119 motions for the Annual General Meeting received from Local Associations, Self-Governing Association and Council in accordance with Standing Order 2 IV (1). The proposed motions were considered as to their competence and 88 were found to be competent. Powers were given to the Officials and the Convener to composite and to ensure the grammatical correctness of the proposed motions as appropriate.

Proposed Changes to Rules and Standing Orders - One proposed Rule Change was considered by the Standing Orders Committee and declared competent to be presented to the AGM for debate.

Date of Next Meeting - Thursday 11 May 2017.

Standing Order Committee, 11 May 2017 (2) 11am – 12 Noon

Sederunt - President, Vice-President, Vice-President Elect, General Secretary, Assistant Secretary Belsey; J Chalmers, R Mackay, S Quinn (Convener), M Roy.

Apologies were received from J Moore.

Amendments to AGM Motions - The Standing Orders Committee considered 24 amendments from Local Associations and Self- Governing Associations which has been submitted in accordance with Standing Orders 2 (V) (1), and declared 17 of them to be competent to be included on the agenda for the AGM. It was noted that no amendments to AGM motions had been received from Council members.

Order of Business - Approval was given to the draft Order of Business and powers were given to the Officials and the Convener to decide on the Subject Headings and the final Order of Business.

Date of Next Meeting - Tuesday 30 May 2017 (by Audio Conference).

Standing Orders Committee, 30 May 2017 (3) 10.10 am – 10.15 am

Sederunt - President, Vice-President, Vice-President Elect, Assistant Secretary Belsey; J Chalmers, J Moore, S Quinn (Convener), M Roy.

Apologies were received from the General Secretary & R Mackay.

Notices of Disapproval or Amendment to Minuted Decisions of Council - It was noted that no notices of disapproval or amendment to the Minuted Decisions of Council had been received by the deadline.

Time Limits for Reports of Council and its Committees - The time limit for the Reports of Council and its Committees was agreed at five minutes for each Convener.

(18) ORDER OF BUSINESS - In the absence of the Ex-President, the Convener of Standing Orders, Susan Quinn, submitted the Order of Business. It was agreed to take the Emergency Motion after Motion 20. With this amendment, the Order of Business was approved.

(19) APPROVAL OF MINUTES

(a) The President submitted the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 9, 10 and 11 June 2016 and Council 2016/2017, all as contained in the minutes of Council 2016/2017 and as circulated to delegates.

(b) The Minutes were approved as a correct record.

(20) MINUTES SIGNED - A copy of the book of Minutes for 2016/2017 was then signed by the President as a correct record of proceedings for that year.

(21) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2019 - In accordance with the Council Minute, 23 January 2015, item 3(2)(p) it was noted that the 2019 AGM would be held in Perth on 6, 7 and 8 June 2019.

(22) REPORT OF COUNCIL AND ITS COMMITTEES

(a) On the invitation of the President, the Conveners of Council Committees submitted their Reports and responded to questions which had been submitted in accordance with Standing Order 2.III.

(b) No notices of disapproval to decisions of Council had been received, therefore the minuted decisions of Council were approved.

(23) RULES AND STANDING ORDERS

(a) Proposed Change to Rule II. Membership (Page 8) - On behalf of EIS-ULA, Eileen Cook moved and Tom Tracey seconded the following Rule Change which was carried.

1. Ordinary members (j)(line 2)

After ”Scotland” insert “as academic related staff or”

(24) PROVISION OF FREE SANITARY PRODUCTS - On behalf of EIS-FELA, Paula Dixon moved and Penny Gower seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM welcome the initiative taken by South Lanarkshire College to provide free sanitary products to both staff and students.

AGM request that Council investigate the cost and availability of sanitary provision in schools and colleges and pursue a campaign to highlight good practice such as South Lanarkshire College, and to demand that this extend to all schools and colleges.”

(25) ISLAMOPHOBIA: EIS ADVICE - On behalf of Council, Bill Ramsay moved and Nicola Fisher seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to refresh EIS advice on Islamophobia, taking into account political and legal developments since the last iteration of our advice on Islamophobia.”

(26) RACISM AND ISLAMOPHOBIA: EIS SURVEY - On behalf of EIS-FELA and Glasgow Local Association, Donny Gluckstein moved and Samreen Shah seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM request Council to undertake and report on a survey of all EIS members on teachers’ and lecturers’ direct or indirect experiences of Racism and Islamophobia.”

Further, that this AGM, in the face of the increased victimisation and demonisation of Muslims in society, call on Council to campaign:

(a) In support of members challenging Islamophobia, including verbal and physical abuse, in Scottish schools and Further Education colleges;

(b) to defend the right of pupils, students and staff in schools and Further Education colleges to experience education in an environment that is free from Islamophobic behaviour whether verbal or physical.”

(27) ANTI-RACIST EDUCATION - On behalf of Glasgow Local Association, Samreen Shah moved and Nicola Fisher seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM call on Council to promote and re-establish Anti-Racist Education firmly in the curriculum for every year group and sector; including training for all teachers and lecturers in light of the current political climate and as a way to tackle the rise in Racism.”

Further, that this AGM call on Council to investigate and report the number of racist incidents that occur in Scottish schools. The evidence should then be used to inform the EIS campaign for appropriate anti-racist education in all schools.”

(28) EQUALITY MATTERS WITHIN ITE PROGRAMMES – On behalf of Council, Khadiija Mohammed moved and Samreen Shah seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM call on Council to:

(a) hold a series of exploratory discussions with Initial Teacher Education (ITE) providers and the General Teaching Council for Scotland, to investigate the ways in which equality matters are addressed within ITE programmes, including whether there is coverage of all protected characteristics in all programmes, and whether equality matters are covered by compulsion or on an opt-in basis; and

(b) develop recommendations for partners regarding enhancing current provision of equalities education for teachers, both through ITE and through ongoing Professional Learning.”

(29) LGBT SPECIFIC TRAINING - On behalf of Aberdeen Local Association, Neil Duncan moved and Paula Dixon seconded the following motion:

“That this AGM instruct Council to survey members to provide evidence of the level of LGBT specific training they

have received in the last 5 years and what training opportunities around LGBT exist within their local authority.”

With the permission of the meeting, the following amendments in the name of EIS-FELA were accepted:

Add after LGBT “+” (in second and third lines)

Insert at end of motion “or delivered by college employers”

The following amended motion was then carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to survey members to provide evidence of the level of LGBT+ specific training they have received in the last 5 years and what training opportunities around LGBT+ exist within their local authority or delivered by college employers.”

(30) EQUALITY LEGISLATION TRAINING - On behalf of Orkney Local Association, Julie Ferguson moved and Julie Hutchinson seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM should campaign for Local Authorities to provide regular training in Equality legislation for all school staff.”

(31) IMPACT OF POVERTY ON A CHILD’S EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS - On behalf of Renfrewshire Local Association, Kenny Fella moved and Helen Connor seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to continue to highlight the impact of poverty on a child’s educational progress.”

(32) EIS ‘POVERTY-PROOFING’ AWARD - On behalf of South Lanarkshire Local Association, Andy Harvey moved and Alison Thornton seconded the following motion:

“That this AGM instruct Council to investigate the possibility of creating an EIS ‘Poverty-Proofing’ award which can be awarded to schools and other education establishments which have demonstrated they have taken steps to address the impacts of child and student poverty.”

With the permission of the meeting, the following amendment in the name of Edinburgh Local Association was accepted:

Insert “and report on” between “…to investigate” and “the possibility…” (Line 1)

The following amended motion was then carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on the possibility of creating an EIS ‘Poverty-Proofing’ award which can be awarded to schools and other education establishments which have demonstrated they have taken steps to address the impacts of child and student poverty.”

(33) ADJOURNMENT - The Meeting adjourned at 6.10 pm.

Annual General Meeting, 9 June 2017

(34) RESUMPTION - The Meeting resumed at 9.00 am on Friday 9 June 2017, the President in the Chair.

(35) PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION IN OTHER SECTORS FOR GTCS REGISTERED FURTHER EDUCATION LECTURERS - On behalf of EIS-FELA Pam Currie moved and Paula Dixon seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM resolve to pursue potential routes for Professional Registration in other sectors for GTCS registered Further Education Lecturers.”

(36) HOLOCAUST EDUCATION: CfE - On behalf of Glasgow Local Association, Carolyn Ritchie moved and Jayne Rowe seconded the following Motion which was carried:

“That this AGM request that Council supports a campaign to establish Holocaust Education as a feature of the Curriculum for Excellence.”

(37) COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION - On behalf of Council, Susan Quinn moved and Sonia Kordiak seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM:

(a) reaffirms its commitment to comprehensive education in Scotland;

(b) rejects all marketisation approaches to school education;

(c) resolves to continue to campaign for adequate resourcing of comprehensive education in order that its aspirations can be fully realised.”

(38) IMPACT OF POVERTY: CHILDREN’S AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE - On behalf of Council, Carolyn Yates moved and Nicola Fisher seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM resolves to:

(a) continue to highlight the negative impact of poverty on children’s and young people’s educational experience and the barriers that families on low incomes face with regards to meeting costs associated with their children’s attendance at school;

(b) publicly reaffirm its commitment to the universal provision of free school meals;

(c) lobby Scottish Government to ensure adequacy, and consistency across local authorities in the level of clothing grants awarded as per the terms of the Education Act (2016);

(d) lobby local authorities to maximise access to clothing grant entitlements and to ensure that school uniform requirements are universally affordable.”

(39) REVIEW OF RESOURCING OF THE EDUCATION (ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR LEARNING) (SCOTLAND) ACT 2009 - On behalf of Glasgow Local Association, Renfrewshire Local Association and East Lothian Local Association, Susan Quinn moved and Thomas Munro seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM expresses its concern at the continuing reduction in EAL teachers, ASN teachers and vital support staff including classroom assistants and ASN assistants and call on Council to campaign for an increase in staffing to support this provision. Further, that this AGM instructs Council to campaign for a review of resourcing of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009 and to urge the Scottish Government to increase funding and staffing levels following this review. Further, the campaign should reflect the growing concerns of members of the impact of under-funding of support for ASN on wider attainment and achievement levels.”

(40) IMPACT OF INCREASING NUMBERS OF PUPILS BEING IDENTIFIED WITH SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ON TEACHERS AND PUPILS - On behalf of Edinburgh Local Association, Lorna Malarky moved and Bill Harris seconded the following motion:

“That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on the impact of increasing numbers of pupils being identified with social, emotional and mental health issues, on teachers and pupils at a time of budget cuts reducing the numbers of ASN teachers and learning support assistants.”

With the permission of the meeting, the following amendments in the name of EIS-FELA were accepted:

Insert “and students” after “pupils” in second line

Insert “lecturers, students” after “teachers” in the third line

The following amended motion was then carried:

That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on the impact of increasing numbers of pupils and students being identified with social, emotional and mental health issues, on teachers, lecturers, students and pupils at a time of budget cuts reducing the numbers of ASN teachers and learning support assistants.”

(41) WORK ASSOCIATED WITH GIRFEC AND YOUNG PERSON’S PLANNING MEETINGS - On behalf of Edinburgh Local Association, Clare Kelly moved and Eileen Macdonald seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on:

(a) the workload associated with GIRFEC and young person’s planning meetings across all schools in Scotland;

(b) the level of support available from external agencies.”

(42) THE ROLE OF THE SNCT - On behalf of Fife Local Association, Margaret Johnston moved and Murray Swan seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM resolve to strongly oppose any action by the Government to undermine the role of the SNCT as a result of the Governance Review of Scottish Education.

Furthermore, that the AGM instruct Council to ballot for industrial action up to and including strike action, in the event that the role of the SNCT is undermined.”

(43) REVIEW OF CURRENT ATTENDANCE MONITORING PROCEDURES FOR STAFF ABSENCES IN SCHOOLS - On behalf of Glasgow Local Association, Des Kenny moved and Lesley Corlett seconded the following motion:

“That this AGM request Council to review current Attendance Monitoring procedures for staff absences in schools.”

With the permission of the meeting, the following amendment in the name of EIS-FELA was accepted:

“Insert “and colleges” at the end of the motion.”

The following amended motion was then carried:

“That this AGM request Council to review current Attendance Monitoring procedures for staff absences in schools and colleges.”

(44) CONDITIONS OF SERVICE HANDBOOK: SICKNESS ALLOWANCE - On behalf of Glasgow Local Association, Neil Anderson moved and Jayne Rowe seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM call on the SNCT to add relevant wording in part 2 section 6 of the handbook of Conditions of Service to recognise that teachers suffering from cancer should have the same sickness allowance as someone suffering from respiratory tuberculosis.”

(45) ABSENCE REVIEW PROCEDURES: ONE-OFF SURGICAL PROCEDURES - On behalf of Glasgow Local Association, Jayne Rowe moved and Jean Jowers seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to provide advice to Local Association Secretaries and Branch Secretaries to assist in seeking improvements to absence review procedures to ensure that one-off surgical procedures would be given special exemption.”

(46) ABSENCE REVIEW PROCEDURES: MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELTIS (ME/CFS) - On behalf of Glasgow Local Association, Shauna Richardson moved and Jayne Rowe seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to provide advice to Local Association Secretaries and Branch Secretaries to assist in seeking improvements to absence review policies for teachers suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS).”

(47) ACCELERATED INCREMENTAL PROGRESSION: REVIEW - On behalf of Council, Tom Tracey moved and Helen Connor seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM call for a review of ‘Accelerated Incremental Progression’ by the SNCT and for the SNCT to produce guidance to inform consistency and to exemplify best practice.”

(48) TEMPORARY AND FIXED-TERM CONTRACTS - On behalf of Edinburgh Local Association, Alison Thornton moved and Tom Britton seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to investigate the use of temporary and fixed-term contracts and report on patterns of use. Furthermore, EIS, through agreed processes, should liaise with Authorities to ensure that teachers are offered permanent contracts after periods of temporary/fixed term contracts in line with the provisions of current employment law.”

(49) SNCT HANDBOOK: FAMILY LEAVE - On behalf of Edinburgh Local Association, Alison Thornton moved and David Baxter seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct the EIS to negotiate the removal of the phrase ‘these must be consecutive’ from paragraph 7.6.9 of the SNCT Handbook Part 2: Section 7 - Family Leave.”

(50) REDUCTION OF MAXIMUM CLASS CONTACT TIME - On behalf of Dundee Local Association, David Baxter moved and Mary Kiddie seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to campaign to reduce maximum class contact time to the OECD average of 17.5 hours.”

(51) WORK-RELATED STRESS - On behalf of North Lanarkshire Local Association, Isaac McCleary moved and Alan Gardiner seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM call for diagnosed work-related stress to be recorded and reported upon formally by employers as a discrete reason for absence from work.”

(52) ‘A TEACHING PROFESSION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY’: CAMPAIGN - On behalf of East Renfrewshire Local Association, Des Morris moved and Stephen Caniffi seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to initiate, develop and implement a campaign with the aim of restoring members’ pay, in real terms, to that established by ‘A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century’ for next year’s pay negotiations. As part of this campaign, that this AGM instruct Council to issue information to members on how far members’ salaries have declined, in real terms, since implementation of ‘A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century’.”

(53) RESTORATION OF SALARIES TO THE VALUE OF THE MCCRONE SETTLEMENT: CAMPAIGN - On behalf of West Dunbartonshire Local Association, Mick Dolan moved and Jim Halfpenny seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to prepare a campaign to restore salaries to the values of the McCrone settlement, based on inflation figures, and to negotiate on this basis for next year’s pay settlement.

Failure to reach agreement would result in a ballot of members, to begin a campaign of industrial action including strike action, from the start of the academic year in 2018- 19.”

(54) NPA 60 TO NPA 65-68: CAMPAIGN - On behalf of East Renfrewshire Local Association and South Lanarkshire Local Association, Des Morris moved and Mike Dunn seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM reaffirm its opposition to the conscription of members from NPA 60 to NPA 65-68, expresses its disappointment at the lack of progress in the present negotiations on early retirement for those conscripted from NPA 60 to NPA 65-68, and instruct Council to campaign for a satisfactory outcome to the present negotiations on early retirement for those conscripted from NPA 60 to NPA 65-68.”

(55) SNCT HANDBOOK: PRACTICAL SUBJECTS - On behalf of Falkirk Local Association, Colin Finlay moved and Daniel Auldjo seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM call for a review and update to the list of practical subjects in the SNCT handbook in light of new qualifications being offered by SQA in Scottish secondary schools.”

(56) IT SYSTEMS - On behalf of Glasgow Local Association, Frances Carey moved and Jean Mullen seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM call on the Scottish Government and local authorities to ensure that IT systems are fit for purpose to enable teachers to work at a time and place of our own choosing.”

(57) PUPIL EQUITY FUNDING - On behalf of Glasgow Local Association, Frances Carey moved and Jean Mullen seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to lobby the Scottish Government to increase teacher numbers in order to maximise the potential of Pupil Equity Funding.”

(58) GENERAL SECRETARY’S ORAL REPORT - The General Secretary delivered his annual oral report. At the end of his speech, he was thanked for his contribution.

(59) ADJOURNMENT - The Meeting adjourned at 12.30 pm

(60) RESUMPTION - The Meeting resumed at 2.00 pm, in Private Session, the President in the Chair.

(61) ACCOUNTS - In the absence of the Convener of Finance Sub- Committee, Alan Munro, Alison Thornton submitted the Accounts of the Institute for the period ended 31 August 2016. The Accounts for the period ended 31 August 2016 were approved.

(62) INVESTMENTS - In the absence of the Convener of Finance Sub-Committee, Alan Munro, Alison Thornton moved and Helen Connor seconded the following motion, which was carried:

“That this Annual General Meeting confirm and approve of all the arrangements made during the year regarding the investment of the funds of the Institute.”

(63) APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS - In the absence of the Convener of Finance Sub-Committee, Alan Munro, on the motion of Alison Thornton, seconded by Helen Connor, it was agreed that Haines Watts (Edinburgh), Registered Auditors and Chartered Accountants, be appointed as professional auditors for the ensuing year.

(64) POLITICAL FUND BALLOT - Approval was given to ballot all members in September 2017 to enable the Institute to continue its operation of the Political Fund.

(65) PUBLIC SESSION - At 2.30 pm the Meeting continued in Public Session.

(66) TEACHER WORKLOAD: CAMPAIGN - On behalf of Council, Susan Quinn moved and Alan Crosbie seconded the following motion:

With the permission of the meeting, the following amendment in the name of Edinburgh Local Association was accepted:

“Add at end “This campaign to include wide publicising of the data derived from surveys in recent years on the unpaid over-time worked by teachers and on the state of teacher morale and health and wellbeing.”

The following amended motion was then carried:

“That this AGM, in response to continuing excessive teacher workload, instruct Council to campaign to ensure that Local Authorities, the Scottish Government, Education Scotland and the SQA act to reduce teacher workload to ensure a healthy work-life balance for teachers. This campaign to include wide publicising of the data derived from surveys in recent years on the unpaid over-time worked by teachers and on the state of teacher morale and health and wellbeing.”

(67) THE ROLE AND FUNCTION OF THE SNCT AND LNCTS - On behalf of Council, Megan McCrossan moved and Helen Connor seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM, in the light of the Scottish Government’s Governance Review of Scottish Education, reaffirm its commitment to the role and function of the SNCT and LNCTs and to the principle of collegiality.”

(68) NAMED PERSON: ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT - On behalf of Fife Local Association, David Farmer moved and Paul Jeffrey seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on the administrative support provided to promoted and unpromoted EIS members acting as a Named Person.”

(69) TIME FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION (TIE) CAMPAIGN: AFFILIATE - On behalf of EIS-FELA, John Kelly moved and Des Kenny seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM resolve to affiliate to the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign, in support of LGBT+ inclusive education in all Scottish schools.”

(70) REPRESENTATIVE IN EVERY SCHOOL - On behalf of Glasgow Local Association, Susan Quinn moved and Frances Carey seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM call on Council to investigate and report on ways that the current policy of a representative in every school can be enhanced.”

(71) COMPANIES DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXTRACTION OF FOSSIL FUELS: DIVEST EIS FUNDS - On behalf of Edinburgh Local Association, Alan Crosbie moved and Phil Paisley seconded the following motion:

That this AGM resolve to divest EIS funds before June 2019 from companies directly responsible for the extraction of fossil fuels.”

It having been moved and seconded, the following procedural motion was carried:

“Remit the motion to Council.”

(72) WEALTH TAXES - On behalf of Edinburgh Local Association, Alan Crosbie moved and Bill Ramsay seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM resolves to investigate and report on wealth taxes as a potential means of increasing spending on Education and closing the Poverty Attainment Gap, with a view to developing a future EIS policy stance on such taxes.”

(73) MEMBERSHIP RECORDS - On behalf of Dundee Local Association, David Baxter moved and Colin Finlay seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to initiate a campaign with the following objectives:

(a) a six-month drive to update membership details;

(b) increase details held on members to include a current email address and telephone number;

(74) WIDENING OF EIS MEMBERSHIP TO INCLUDE CLASSROOM ASSISTANTS AND EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONERS – On behalf of Aberdeenshire Local Association, Adam Sutcliffe moved and Martin Bayliss seconded the following motion which was defeated:

“That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on the widening of EIS membership to include Classroom Assistants and Early Years Practitioners.”

(75) CHARITABLE STATUS OF THE GTCS - On behalf of Dumfries & Galloway Local Association, Andrew O’Halloran moved and John Dennis seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM resolve that Council should investigate and report on the charitable status of the GTCS.”

(76) CHILD REFUGEES ADMITTED TO THE UK - On behalf of Dumfries & Galloway Local Association, John Dennis moved and Andrew O’Halloran seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM condemns the Home Office’s decision to curtail the numbers of child refugees admitted to the UK.”

(77) BUDGET ALLOCATIONS TO PUBLICLY FUNDED EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS - On behalf of North Lanarkshire Local Association, Ricky Cullen moved and Alan Gardiner seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to campaign to ensure that all budget allocations to publicly funded educational establishments are administered in a fair and transparent manner, and are subject to full, rigorous monitoring and scrutiny by and accountability to local, democratic structures.”

(78) ADDITIONAL FISCAL MEASURES TO INCREASE OVERALL REVENUE - On behalf of South Lanarkshire Local Association, Bill Ramsay moved and Alan Crosbie seconded the following motion:

“That this AGM call upon Council to investigate additional fiscal measures that the Scottish Government could consider to increase overall revenue.”

With the permission of the meeting the following amendment in the name of Edinburgh Local Association was accepted:

Add at end “with a view to developing a future EIS policy stance on such measures”.

The following amended motion was then carried:

“That this AGM call upon Council to investigate additional fiscal measures that the Scottish Government could consider

to increase overall revenue with a view to developing a future EIS policy stance on such measures.”

(79) EDUCATIONAL PRACTITIONERS: BRIDGING THE FUNDING GAP - On behalf of Clackmannanshire Local Association, Donal Hurley moved and Karen Farrell seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report (through directed survey or other practicable means) on the extent to which, in the climate of austerity and budget cuts, educational practitioners are bridging the funding gap by spending their own money on educational materials and resources for learners.”

(80) GTCS REGISTRATION FEES: METHODS OF PAYMENT - On behalf of Council, David Baxter moved and Mike Callaghan seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to engage with the GTCS in order to explore alternative methods of payment of registration fees.”

(81) SOCIAL MEDIA - On behalf of Aberdeenshire Local Association, John Black moved and David Smith seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to initiate a national campaign highlighting the negative impact on home/school relationships of the posting of inappropriate comments on Social Media by parents/carers.”

(82) ATTAINMENT FUND - On behalf of East Dunbartonshire Local Association, Andrene Bamford moved and James McIntyre seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council:

(a) to campaign the Scottish Government to provide clear and transparent guidelines for the spending of the allocated Attainment Fund;

(b) for regular audits of the spending to be carried out;

(83) ALTERNATIVE TO EXCLUSION: CAMPAIGN - On behalf of Renfrewshire Local Association, Kenny Fella moved and Greg Morris seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM call on Council to campaign for an ‘Alternative to Exclusion’ provision that will protect teachers from abusive behaviour.”

(84) ADDRESS BY DAN MONTGOMERY, PRESIDENT, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS (AFT) - Dan Montgomery, President of the American Federation of Teachers conveyed greetings to the EIS and provided delegates with a synopsis of educational developments in America. The President thanked Dan Montgomery for his contribution, which was well received by delegates.

(85) ADJOURNMENT - The Meeting adjourned at 4.15 pm.

(86) RESUMPTION - The Meeting resumed at 4.45 pm, the President, Margaret Smith in the Chair.

(87) IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS ON EDUCATION STAFF – On behalf of Glasgow Local Association, Susan Quinn moved and Des Kenny seconded the following motion:

“That this AGM call on Council to carry out research into the impact of mental health matters on education staff. This research may include consideration of levels of absence, impact of attendance policies on supporting return to work, reasons given for absence, training in this area and around supporting young person with mental health issues. The outcome of research to inform the ongoing campaign in this area.

Further, that this AGM call on Council to develop a campaign around the impact of mental health matters on the work of education staff, including Local Association Secretaries. The campaign to include consideration of:

(a) the possibility of rolling out Mental Health First Aid for staff training across all Local Associations;

(b) work with Mental Health charities to provide support to individual members and Local Associations;

(c) representation to Scottish Parliament and Local Authorities on the impact of mental health on education and seeking support in this area;

(d) professional learning opportunities for members in supporting young people with mental health issues.”

With the permission of the meeting the following amendment in the name of Renfrewshire Local Association was accepted:

After “around supporting young” replace “person” with “people”. (line 5)”.

The following amended motion was then carried:

“That this AGM call on Council to carry out research into the impact of mental health matters on education staff. This research may include consideration of levels of absence, impact of attendance policies on supporting return to work, reasons given for absence, training in this area and around supporting young people with mental health issues. The outcome of research to inform the ongoing campaign in this area.

(a) the possibility of rolling out Mental Health First Aid for staff training across all Local Associations;

(b) work with Mental Health charities to provide support to individual members and Local Associations;

(c) representation to Scottish Parliament and Local Authorities on the impact of mental health on education and seeking support in this area;

(d) professional learning opportunities for members in supporting young people with mental health issues.”

(88) NATIONAL EIS HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE – On behalf of Glasgow Local Association and Renfrewshire Local Association, Carolyn Ritchie moved and Nigel Macdonald seconded the following motion:

“That this AGM instruct Council to conduct a scoping exercise to ascertain the level of interest, need and expertise available for the formation of a national EIS Health and Safety Committee, whose remit is principally one of providing training and advice to members.”

With the permission of the meeting the following amendment in the name of Edinburgh Local Association was accepted:

Insert after “conduct” “, and report on the results of,” (line 1)

The following amended motion was then carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to conduct and report on the results of a scoping exercise to ascertain the level of interest, need and expertise available for the formation of a national EIS Health and Safety Committee, whose remit is principally one of providing training and advice to members.”

(89) ZERO TOLERANCE OF VIOLENCE IN EDUCATIONAL WORKPLACES: CAMPAIGN – On behalf of Glasgow Local Association, Carolyn Ritchie moved and Moira Macdonald seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to conduct a major campaign to promote zero tolerance of violence in educational workplaces.”

(90) SCHOOL FINANCE COMMITTEE – On behalf of Council, Ricky Cullen moved and Lorraine McBride seconded the following motion:

“That this AGM call for there to be a school finance committee in each school to oversee devolved school budgets, including direct funding and Attainment Challenge/Pupil Equity Fund monies, and that such committees include staff and trade union representation.”

With the permission of the meeting the following amendment in the name of Edinburgh Local Association was accepted:

Add at end “That the AGM further resolve to organise training for EIS reps in how to scrutinise school finances.”

The following amended motion was then carried:

(91) PHYSICAL OR VERBAL VIOLENCE - On behalf of East Renfrewshire Local Association, Des Morris moved and Jennifer Gourlay seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM reaffirm its commitment to the right of members:

(a) not to be subjected to physical or verbal violence in the course of their employment, and

(b) to report to employers all such incidents of physical or verbal violence arising in the course of their employment.”

(92) EIS HEALTH AND SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES – On behalf of East Renfrewshire Local Association, Des Morris moved and Jennifer Gourlay seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM reaffirm its commitment to the right of EIS Health and Safety Representatives to carry out their functions under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977.”

(93) ASBESTOS: CAMPAIGN – On behalf of East Dunbartonshire Local Association, James McIntyre moved and Andrene Bamford seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to actively campaign to ensure all educational establishments are made asbestos free by 2020.”

(94) DEFIBRILLATORS IN SCHOOLS – On behalf of South Lanarkshire Local Association, Michael Dunn moved and Chris Devlin seconded the following motion:

“That this AGM agree that every school should be equipped with a defibrillator.”

With the permission of the meeting the following amendment in the name of EIS-FELA was accepted:

Insert “and college” after “school” in the first line

The following amended motion was then carried:

“That this AGM agree that every school and college should be equipped with a defibrillator.”

(95) MUSCULOSKELETAL AILMENTS: TEACHERS OF NURSERY AND PRIMARY CLASSES – On behalf of Clackmannanshire Local Association, Donal Hurley moved and Gordon Joyce seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report (through directed survey or other practicable means) on the incidence of musculoskeletal ailments (such as lower back pain and sciatica) among teachers of nursery and primary classes, with a view to ascertaining whether these

practitioners face an elevated occupational health risk of contracting such ailments (through more frequent bending, sitting on low chairs or the floor, etc.) and also whether appropriate adjustments are being made by employers to accommodate the occupational health needs of sufferers from these ailments.”

(96) GTCS REVIEW: CORRESPONDENCE ISSUED TO MEMBERS – On behalf of West Dunbartonshire Local Association, Mick Dolan moved and Jim Halfpenny seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to work with the GTC to review the nature of correspondence issued to members regarding impending investigations, arising from complaints made against teachers.”

(97) GTCS: PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA – On behalf of East Dunbartonshire Local Association, Andrene Bamford moved and James McIntyre seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to raise the profile of ‘Professional Guidance on the Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media’ from GTCS, in view of its significance to all teachers.”

(98) ADJOURNMENT - The Meeting adjourned at 6.30 pm

Annual General Meeting, 10 June 2017

(99) RESUMPTION - The Meeting resumed at 9.00 am on Saturday 10 June 2017, the President in the Chair.

(100) SQA: HIGH QUALITY RESOURCES – On behalf of Edinburgh Local Association, Mike Smith moved and Mike Bracewell seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to lobby, in all relevant fora, for the SQA to produce enough high quality resources to support the changes to assessment in National Qualifications. This support to include at least three Specimen Papers for the final assessment.”

(101) WORKLOAD ISSUES: NEW QUALIFICATION ASSESSMENT – On behalf of Edinburgh Local Association and North Lanarkshire Local Association, Maria Devoy moved and Colin Glover seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM calls on the Council to investigate and report on workload issues arising from the new qualification assessment arrangements, and changes to National Courses statement issued by the SQA on the 15th December 2016. This could include, but not be limited to, issues arising from:

(a) class sizes;

(b) practical/non-practical subjects;

(102) NEW NATIONAL QUALIFICATION COURSE DESIGN AND ASSESSMENT - On behalf of Edinburgh Local Association and North Lanarkshire Local Association, Maria Devoy moved and Colin Glover seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM call upon Council to investigate and monitor new National Qualification course design and assessment and if the changes result in increased Workload then members to be balloted on the reinstatement of the suspended industrial action.”

(103) SQA: ‘FIT FOR PURPOSE’ QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM – On behalf of Aberdeen Local Association, David Innes moved and Isman Ahmad seconded the following motion:

“That this AGM call on Council to campaign for SQA to engage fully with the Teaching profession to provide a 'fit for purpose' qualifications system which reduces workload for pupils and teachers.”

With the permission of the meeting the following amendment in the name of EIS-FELA was accepted:

Insert “students and lecturers” at the end of the motion

The following amended motion was then carried:

(104) FOLIO ASSESSMENT – On behalf of East Renfrewshire Local Association, John McIntosh moved and Martin Moonie seconded the following motion:

“That this AGM instruct Council to campaign for the assessment of Writing by means of external examination

rather than through the current SQA procedure of folio assessment.”

With the permission of the meeting the following amendment in the name of Renfrewshire Local Association was accepted:

After “for assessment of” insert “National 5 and Higher English”. (line 1)

“That this AGM instruct Council to campaign for the assessment of National 5 and Higher English Writing by means of external examination rather than through the current SQA procedure of folio assessment.”

It having been moved and seconded, the following procedural motion was carried:

“Remit the motion to Council.”

(105) PSE PROGRAMMES IN SCHOOLS – On behalf of Edinburgh Local Association, John Swinburne moved and Alison Murphy seconded the following motion:

“That this AGM call on the EIS, in conjunction with the STUC, to devise a course on the positive benefits of trade unionism that could be taught as part of PSE programmes in Scottish schools.”

With the permission of the meeting the following amendment in the name of EIS-FELA was accepted:

Insert “and colleges” at the end of the motion

The following amended motion was then carried:

“That this AGM call on the EIS, in conjunction with the STUC, to devise a course on the positive benefits of trade unionism that could be taught as part of PSE programmes in Scottish schools and colleges.”

(106) REMOVAL OF GTCS QUALIFIED TEACHER FROM EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE SETTINGS – On behalf of Aberdeenshire Local Association and Dumfries & Galloway Local Association, Neil Duncan moved and Alan McClure seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM resolve that the EIS raise awareness of the negative impact of the removal of a GTCS qualified teacher from early learning and childcare settings and that this AGM instruct Council to rigorously campaign to make it statutory

requirement to have a qualified teacher as the leading professional in every nursery class.”

(107) UNIFYING THE CARE COMMISSION AND EDUCATION SCOTLAND QUALITY ASSURANCE AND INSPECTION PROCESSES – On behalf of Aberdeenshire Local Association, John Black moved and Martin Bayliss seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM instruct Council to enter discussions with the Scottish Government around unifying the Care Commission and Education Scotland quality assurance and inspection processes in school based early years’ settings.”

(108) 1+2 LANGUAGE TRAINING FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS BEYOND 2020 – On behalf of Dumfries & Galloway Local Association, Andrew O’Halloran moved and Sonia Perez Coughlan seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM call on the Scottish Government to release adequate funding to complete 1 + 2 language training for primary teachers beyond 2020.”

(109) THE EFFECT OF AN INCREASE IN THE STATUTORY AGE FOR STARTING PRIMARY SCHOOL TO AGE 7 – On behalf of Dumfries & Galloway Local Association, Andrew O’Halloran moved and Alan McClure seconded the following motion:

“That this AGM resolve that the EIS should investigate the effect of an increase in the statutory age for starting primary school to age 7 and the development of a compulsory kindergarten stage, where there is a focus on social skills and learning through play.”

With the permission of the meeting the following amendment in the name of Edinburgh Local Association was accepted:

Insert “and report on” between “…should investigate” and “the effect…” (line 1)

The following amended motion was then carried:

“That this AGM resolve that the EIS should investigate and report on the effect of an increase in the statutory age for starting primary school to age 7 and the development of a compulsory kindergarten stage, where there is a focus on social skills and learning through play.”

(110) ICT STRATEGIES AND POLICIES – On behalf of North Lanarkshire Local Association, Megan McCrossan moved and Colin Glover seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM call for employing councils to have ICT strategies and policies which allow teachers the widest possible access to online resources and to use their professional judgement to select which of these are suitable for teaching and learning.”

(111) CLPL OPPORTUNITIES – On behalf of North Lanarkshire Local Association, Megan McCrossan moved and Lorraine McBride seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM call for teachers to have access to purposeful CLPL opportunities that are properly planned and resourced.”

(112) NATIONAL STANDARDISED TESTING: BOYCOTT – On behalf of East Renfrewshire Local Association, Olivia Crook moved and Sharon Kelly seconded the following motion which was carried:

“That this AGM resolve that, if the Scottish Government implements national standardised testing which the EIS determines as detrimental to learning and teaching in schools, all members in primary and secondary schools will be balloted on a boycott of the administration and reporting of the test results.”

(113) NEW APPROACHES TO ITE – On behalf of Council, Susan Quinn moved and Helen Connor seconded the following emergency motion which was carried:

“That this AGM condemns the recent decision of the Scottish Government to tender for new approaches to ITE which would bypass universities and calls on Council to campaign against any proposals which would alter the current balance between academic and practical placements.”

(114) STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE 2017/2018 - The President announced the results of the election of four members, not members of Council for 2017/2018, to the Standing Orders Committee for 2017/2018:

(1) Argyll and Bute, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire (1 seat)

Gwen McCrossan was elected unopposed.

(2) East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Inverclyde, South Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire (1 seat)

Sonia Perez Coughlan was elected unopposed.

(3) Scottish Borders, Clackmannanshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, East Lothian, Midlothian, Stirling and West Lothian (1 seat)

John Chalmers was elected following a vote.

(4) Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Dundee, Angus, Highland, Perth and Kinross, Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles (1 seat)

Gordon Black was elected unopposed.

(115) DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE 2017/2018 - The President announced the results of the election of four members, not members of Council for 2017/2018, to the Disciplinary Committee for 2017/2018:

(1) Argyll and Bute, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire (1 seat)

Lorna Stewart was elected unopposed.

(2) East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Inverclyde, South Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire (1 seat)

John McIntosh was elected unopposed.

(3) Scottish Borders, Clackmannanshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, East Lothian, Midlothian, Stirling and West Lothian (1 seat)

Joanne Thomson was elected following a vote.

(4) Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Dundee, Angus, Highland, Perth and Kinross, Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles (1 seat)

Mary Kiddie was elected unopposed.

(116) APPEALS COMMITTEE 2017/2018 - The President announced the results of the election of four members, not members of Council for 2017/2018, to the Appeals Committee 2017/2018:

(1) Argyll and Bute, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire (1 seat)

Jim Moore was elected unopposed.

(2) East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Inverclyde, South Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire (1 seat)

Olivia Crook was elected unopposed.

(3) Scottish Borders, Clackmannanshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, East Lothian, Midlothian, Stirling and West Lothian (1 seat)

Lorna Malarkey was elected unopposed.

(4) Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Dundee, Angus, Highland, Perth and Kinross, Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles (1 seat)

Katherine MacDonald was elected unopposed.

(117) VOTE OF THANKS - The President proposed votes of thanks to (a) Perth City Council, (b) Provost Derek Melloy and Depute Provost Willie Wilson, (c) Staff at the Concert Hall, (d) Scrutineers, (e) Standing Orders Committee, (f) Financial Services for sponsorship of conference bags, (g) Maclay Murray & Spens for the drinks reception on the Thursday, (h) EIS Officials and Staff. These were granted by acclamation.

The Vice President then conveyed the cordial thanks of the delegates to the President for her conduct of the meeting and for her service to the Institute during her year of office.

(118) CONCLUSION - The meeting concluded at 1.32 pm.

Margaret Smith, President Nicola Fisher, Vice-President Larry Flanagan, General Secretary

MEETING OF COUNCIL 29 SEPTEMBER 2017

Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on 29 September 2017 at 10.00 am in the Hilton Grosvenor Hotel, Edinburgh.

1. SEDERUNT: President, Vice-President, Ex-President, General Secretary, Accountant, Assistant Secretaries Belsey, Bradley and Wilson; Officers Buchanan, Fallow, Flanagan, Franchetti, Keenan, Kemp, McCrossan and McGinty; N Anderson, A Bamford, D Baxter, M Bayliss, A Bell, T Britton, P Burke, E Burns, S Burns, M Callaghan, F Carey, J Chrystal, N Cimini, H Collie, H Connor, R Constable, A Crosbie, R Cullen, P Currie*, N Dasgupta, S Davidson, P Dixon, M Dolan, M Dunn, D Farmer, K Fella, C Finlay, A Fullwood, R Fyfe, A Gardiner, G Gillan, A Gillespie, J Gillespie, S Gillespie, L Glen, D Gluckstein, J Gourley, J Gow, P Gower, A Guy, W Hamilton, J Hill, A Holligan, A Howie, H Hughes, G Hunter, J Hutchinson, E Imlah, V Inkster, G Jarvie, J Jowers, J Kelly, S Kelly, D Kenny, H Kilgour, S Kordiak, G Laird, P Laverie, E Leitch, A Mackenzie, P Manley, A McAuley, L McBride, K McCalman, K McClelland, A McClure, C McCombie, J McDaid, D McDonough, P McEwan, J McIntyre, J McKeown, J Miller, K Mohammed, D Morris, A Murphy, A O’Halloran, A Palmer, M Paul, S Quinn, B Ramsay, M Rideout, C Ritchie, G Roberts, S Rooney, C Rose, I Ross, J Rowe, I Scott, A Skillen, S Slater, D Smith, D Smith, G Smith, D Smithyman, L Steele, P Stewart, E Swinley, S Talboys, S Thomson, C Thorpe, N Watt, J Welsh, C Weston, P Wishart, C Yates.

Apologies: Officer Gray; M Bell, J Black, A Carr, T Connolly, F Gray, B MacKay, M McCrossan, J McCusker, T Munro, P Pearce, S Peter, J Pringle, D Ross, S Shah, A Sutcliffe, J Swinburne, D Thompson.

Those members marked * submitted apologies for lateness.

2. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 12 May 2017 were noted.

EXECUTIVE MATTERS

3. Arising from meeting of the Executive Committee held on 13 June 2017 Council took the following decisions:

(1) FINANCE AND ORGANISATION

NB Updates decided on by Executive Committee are marked by an *.

(a) Investments:

(i) Baillie Gifford & Co Report for Quarter to 31 March 2017: The report for the period to 31 March 2017

was noted. The report revealed there had been an increase of £146,000 (2.9%) in the value of the investments over the quarter. Performance of the Diversified Growth Fund element (£3.5 million) in the Quarter was 2.0% above the benchmark of outperforming the UK Base rate by 3.5% per annum (net of fees), with the Multi Asset Growth Fund element (£1.6 million) being 2.1% above the same benchmark. The Sub Committee also noted with pleasure the significant out-performances achieved in the past year of 6.5% and 6.8% respectively.

(ii) Charles Stanley & Co – Portfolio Performance Reports to 28 March 2017: The reports for the Quarter to 28 March 2017 were noted. The reports revealed that there had been an increase of £450,000 (3.7%) in the market value of the General Sterling, Professional Sterling, and Political Fund investments over the period. The Institute’s Charles Stanley General Fund and Professional Fund investments (North American Equities) were transferred to Walker Crips on 29 January 2017 as part of the restructuring. In the month to 29 January there was negligible movement in their values. Dividend income paid over to the Institute totalled £82,000.

(iii) Charles Stanley & Co Investment Performance Monitoring: The Sub-Committee noted a report which detailed the investment performance of Charles Stanley for the Quarter to 28 March 2017. Performance fell short of the benchmarks on the North American Funds by £73,000 for the month in which the investments were held, and fell short by £36,000 on the Sterling Funds for the Quarter. After removing the effect of unfavourable currency movement over the period for the North American Funds, for which Charles Stanley had no control since the company had been instructed to place these investments in these particular markets, overall investment performance exceeded the benchmarks by £15,000 (0.01%).

(iv) Standard Life Wealth – Report to 31 March 2017: The report for the Quarter to 31 March 2017 was noted by the Sub-Committee. The report revealed that in the Quarter to 31 March there had been a positive return of £318,000 (4.1%), which comprised an increase of £246,000 (3.2%) in the market value of the Institute’s total non-charitable investments held by the company augmented by £72,000 of dividend income received.

(v) Standard Life Wealth – Investment Performance Monitoring: The Sub-Committee noted a report detailing the investment performance of Standard Life Wealth for the Quarter to 31 March 2017. Performance for the Quarter to 31 March at 4.1% was identical to the benchmark for the period.

(vi) 2017 AGM Motion – Divestment from Companies directly responsible for the extraction of fossil fuels: The Sub-Committee noted a briefing which had been prepared by the Accountant following consultations with the Institute’s Investment Managers on the potential implications for investments, taxation, and the approved Investment Strategy were the motion to be passed.

(b) Accounts for Payment – March to April 2017: Authorisation of expenditure was given for the following items:

(a) Purchase Ledger Payments by BACS/Cheque – March to April 2017.

(b) Direct Debits and Standing Orders – March to April 2017.

(i) Staff Overtime and Temporary Replacements: Authorisation of staff overtime and temporary replacement costs for the months of March to April 2017 was given.

(ii) Appointments and Resignations:

Appointments

* Colum Bannatyne – Administrative Assistant, Reception (Job Share) 23 May 2017

* Eilidh Porelli – Organiser (Edinburgh) 7 August 2017.

Resignations

Jackie Hotchkiss – Administrative Assistant Reception (Job Share) 25 May 2017

Louise O’Hara – Organiser (Edinburgh) 6 June 2017.

(iii) Flexible Working Request: The Sub-Committee decided to uphold an appeal submitted by an

employee against the decision of Officials not to accede to a flexible working request.

(iv) Officials & Officers – Working Arrangements: The Sub- Committee agreed to a proposal by the General Secretary that powers be given to Officials to authorise a day in lieu provision in circumstances where employees have successive weekend commitments which could lead to a breach of employment legislation if a rest day was not to be authorised. The Sub-Committee also noted the General Secretary’s intention, in line with the recent report on Area Officer workload, to ensure a degree of parity across the Officer workforce in respect of weekend working.

(d) Institute Accounts 2015/16 and Related Matters: The Sub- Committee appointed the President and Alison Thornton to undertake the annual inspection of member and employee expenses for 2015/16 on its behalf.

(e) Glasgow Area Office – Refurbishment Update: The General Secretary gave an oral report on developments concerning Glasgow Area Office and confirmed that it had not proved possible to identify a property in Glasgow city centre currently available for letting or purchase which had suitable disabled access, car parking and appropriate office/ meetings space at a commercially viable price, as compared to refurbishment costs for Clairmont Garden. The General Secretary also advised the Sub-Committee that the condition, particularly the roof, of the Institute’s Clairmont Gardens offices was such that refurbishment was becoming urgent for it to be able to remain in use.

Accordingly, he recommended to the Sub-Committee that the Institute commit to long term occupancy of the offices and that the Institute retain ownership of a property which, like Headquarters, would appreciate considerably in value following the works. Additionally, in regard to disabled access Glasgow City Council had now given its approval to a platform lift which would service all floors thereby removing a major barrier to continuing in occupation of the building. Furthermore, the Institute, depending on the room configuration, may also be able to increase revenue from lettings thereby offsetting some of the refurbishment costs.

Following discussion the Sub Committee decided to proceed with the refurbishment using Fouin & Bell as the project’s architects and that further discussions be held regarding room configuration which it was hoped would reduce costs

from the original estimate. The Sub-Committee also noted that Institute employees and EIS Financial Services staff would require to be relocated during the refurbishment works.

Powers were given to the Office Bearers and Convener regarding any decisions required to be taken prior to the next sub-Committee meeting in late August.

(f) Proposed Conversion of No 48 Moray Place Basement Area into Residential Accommodation: The General Secretary advised Sub-Committee that it was intended to undertake the project over the summer months through a negotiated tender submitted by P&M Sinclair, the company that had undertaken the conversion of No 47.

(g) EIS Financial Services Ltd – Appointment of EIS Directors: The Sub-Committee decided to appoint Alison Thornton and Susan Quinn as representatives on the Board of Directors with effect from 7 June 2017 to succeed Alan Munro who retires from the Sub-Committee at the AGM, and Pat Flanagan who has taken up employment as an Area Officer with the Institute.

(h) Local Association Constitutions:

(i) East Ayrshire Local Association - The Sub-Committee decided to instruct the relevant Area Officer to discuss with the local association and report back on its proposed constitutional change amending the determination of its Executive Committee. In particular, the Sub-Committee indicated it required clarity regarding the full implications of the sectoral division proposed, and how representation on the Executive Committee by representatives of Special Interest Groups is dealt with. The Sub-Committee disapproved a second proposed change by the local association which dispensed with the existing open election of AGM delegates, and replaced this with a stratified method which gave priority to the association’s 6 Office-Bearers in the first instance, and then to its Executive Committee. Accordingly, the proposal if implemented could exclude completely ordinary members of the local association from attendance at the AGM or severely restrict their opportunity to do so.

(ii) Fife Local Association - The Sub-Committee disapproved two proposed constitutional changes submitted by Fife Local Association. The first proposal, which required the Secretary to receive confirmation

on all decisions taken, with the exception of those relating to individual casework, from its Executive Committee was considered to be impractical. The second proposal, which introduced a requirement for the Office-Bearers to meet regularly, at least once, between Executive Committee meetings, was disapproved as there is no specified role or function elsewhere in the constitution for the Office-Bearers to meet in such a capacity.

(iii) Edinburgh Local Association - The Sub-Committee approved proposed constitutional changes submitted by Edinburgh Local Association which deleted the position of Depute Secretary, reallocated the duties undertaken by the Depute Secretary to other Office- Bearers, and removed the automatic entitlement of members who are also teacher representatives on the City Council’s Education Executive to be on the local association’s Executive Committee.

(i) Retiral of Convener and Tom Tracey: The President paid tribute to Alan Munro, who retires from Council at the AGM after 16 year’s service on the Sub-Committee including the last nine as its Convener. Additionally, Tom Tracey who has been on the Sub-Committee since 2012 will also retire from Council at the AGM. The Accountant advised that it had been hoped to recognise their contributions at the close of today’s meeting however Alan’s recent operation has resulted in him being unable to attend. The Sub-Committee agreed that both be invited back at the close of the August meeting to commemorate their years of membership.

(j) Emergency Sub-Committee: The Committee received a report of the Emergency Sub-Committee meeting held on 16 May 2017 and agreed as follows:

(i) EIS-FELA Strike Pay: Following the approval from the Executive Committee and Council on Friday 12 May 2017 to utilise the Professional Fund to facilitate the payment of strike pay for EIS-FELA members, the Emergency Sub-Committee agreed to:

• pay all EIS-FELA members £50 strike pay from day 5 (Tuesday 16 May) onwards;

• extend strike action beyond the current schedule on the basis of two days per week going forward;

• give powers to the General Secretary to vary the programme of strike days until the end of term.

* It was agreed that a minor amendment be made to the final minute, which has been reflected in the bullet points above, due to the subsequent decision taken following the Emergency Sub-Committee meeting to change payments to day 5 onwards.

(k) Committees of Council: It was noted that the Committees of Council, and Conveners, had been elected as follows:

Education Committee Susan Quinn, Convener Sonia Kordiak, Vice-Convener

Primary/Nursery Panel Terri Connolly, Nicola Dasgupta, Gael Gillan, Marian Kelly, Paula McEwan, Des Morris, Susan Quinn.

1 Vacancy

Secondary/Special Panel Allan Crosbie, Colin Finlay, Stephen Gillespie, Jane Gow, Sonia Kordiak, Alison Murphy, Bill Ramsay, Susan Slater.

CPD Sub-Committee Colin Finlay Sonia Kordiak 3 Vacancies (Primary/Nursery) 1 Vacancy (Secondary/Special)

Employment Relations Committee Ricky Cullen, Convener David Baxter, Vice-Convener

David Baxter, Ricky Cullen, Mike Callaghan, Colin Finlay, Alan Gardiner, Gael Gillan, Susan Quinn, Gavin Roberts.

Equality Committee Bill Ramsay, Convener Nicola Dasgupta, Vice-Convener

Neil Anderson, Thomas Britton, Sue Burns, Anna Cheyne, Terri Connolly, Pamela Currie, Nicola Dasgupta, Julie Hutchison, Bill Ramsay, Derek Ross, Samreen Shah, Donald Smith, Edith Swinley, Carol Thorpe, Steven Tillman, Caroline Yates.

Executive Committee President, Convener

President, Vice-President, Ex-President, Convener of Education Committee, Convener of Employment Relations Committee, Convener of Equality Committee, Convener of Salaries Committee, David Baxter, Mike Callaghan, Allan Crosbie, Nicola Dasgupta, Mike Dolan, Kenny Fella, Colin Finlay, Andrew Fullwood, Valerie Hughson, John Kelly, Sonia Kordiak, Des Morris, Jayne Rowe, Ann Skillen, Susan Slater, David Smith.

Executive Committee - Emergency Sub-Committee Alison Thornton, Convener

President, Vice-President, Ex-President, Ricky Cullen, John Kelly, Kenny Fella, Colin Finlay, Susan Slater.

Executive Committee - Finance Sub-Committee Alison Thornton, Convener

President, Vice-President, Ex-President, David Baxter, Helen Connor, Nicola Dasgupta, Susan Quinn, David Smith.

Executive Committee – Strategy Sub-Committee Helen Connor, Convener

President, Vice-President, Ex-President, Helen Connor, Ricky Cullen, Des Morris, Susan Quinn, David Smith.

Salaries Committee Helen Connor, Convener Jayne Rowe, Vice-Convener

Primary/Nursery Panel Helen Connor, Valerie Hughson, Desmond Kenny, Paul McEwan, Des Morris, Jayne Rowe, David Smith, Diane Smithyman.

Secondary/Special Panel David Baxter, Ricky Cullen, Alison Thornton, Kenny Fella, Allan Crosbie, Mick Dolan, Alan Gardiner, Gavin Roberts.

Other Committees

(i) Board of Examiners Norma Watson, Convener

Group 1 Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Highland, Moray, Jim Lawson

Orkney, Shetland Marion Ross Kay Barnett

Group 2 Angus, Borders, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Eric Baillie East Lothian, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Midlothian Vacancy Perth & Kinross, Stirling, West Lothian Ronald Smith

Group 3 Argyll & Bute, Dumfries & Galloway, Hamish Glen East Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, East Renfrew, Marion Roy Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Vacancy North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, Gerry Maguire South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, Sandy Fowler Western Isles Vacancy

TUC Delegation 2017 David Baxter, Nicola Dasgupta, Susan Quinn.

(ii) Teachers’ Panel of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT)

Primary/Nursery Panel Helen Connor, Paula McEwan, Des Morris, Eilidh Porelli, Jayne Rowe, David Smith.

Secondary/Special Panel David Baxter, Allan Crosbie, Ricky Cullen, Mick Dolan, Kenny Fella, Alison Thornton.

Representatives on the Teachers’ Side of the SNCT David Baxter, Helen Connor, Ricky Cullen, Paula McEwan, Des Morris, David Smith, Alison Thornton, General Secretary.

(l) Appointment of ad hoc Sub-Committees

(i) Appointments Forum 2017/2018: Membership of the Appointments Forum consists of the General Secretary, President, Vice-President and four members of the Executive Committee. The following members of the Executive Committee were elected to the Appointments Forum for 2017/2018: David Baxter, Colin Finlay, Susan Quinn, Margaret Smith. Reserves: Helen Connor, Ricky Cullen, Nicola Dasgupta, Jayne Rowe, Susan Slater.

(ii) Complaints Panel 2017/2018: Membership of the Complaints Panel consists of five members of the Executive Committee (excluding Office Bearers). The

following members of the Executive Committee were elected to the Complaints Panel for 2017/2018: Ricky Cullen, Helen Connor, Susan Quinn, Jayne Rowe, Susan Slater.

(iii) Page Scholarship Sub-Committee

(a) Reconstitution of the Sub-Committee: It was agreed that the Page Scholarship Sub-Committee be reconstituted for 2017/2018 with the following membership: Office Bearers, Convener of Education Committee and Vice-Convener of Education Committee.

(b) Scholarship for 2017/2018: It was agreed that the level of scholarship for 2017/2018 would remain at £2,400

(m) AGM 2017:

(i) Resolutions: Recommendations for Action: Following amendment, a paper outlining the allocation of committee responsibility for the initial processing of AGM resolutions was approved.

(n) Council, May 2017 Resolutions:

(i) Support for EIS-FELA

“That this Council resolve to mobilise all the resources and members of the Institute in whichever ways are practicable, to support our colleagues in EIS-FELA.”

It was noted that EIS-FELA members are receiving ongoing support from the EIS.

(ii) Comprehensive Review of EIS Complaints Procedure

“That this Council instruct Executive to undertake a comprehensive review of the EIS Complaints Procedure”.

It was agreed that the General Secretary conduct a review and produce a report for a future Executive.

(iii) Child Tax Credit Cap: Campaign

“This Council resolve to campaign against the child tax credit cap, and the so-called "rape clause", which it believes will compound poverty and deprivation for

children and families and further traumatise women who have been subject to sexual violence.”

It was noted that this is being dealt with by the communications strategy. It was agreed to issue a press release and write to MP’s/MSP’s.”

It was noted that this has been overtaken as messages of support were conveyed by the General Secretary in person.

(iv) EIS Teacher Education Partnership Network

“That this Council resolve that the Executive Committee establish an EIS Teacher Education Partnership informal network to enable the sharing of relevant information and knowledge about university programmes of teacher education, and to advise, as appropriate, the CPD Sub-Committee; the membership of the network to include the EIS rep from each Teacher Education Partnership in place in Scotland.”

It was agreed that a paper be produced for a future Executive.

(o) Political Fund Review Ballot: An oral report was provided in relation to the paperwork tabled at the meeting, which was approved. It was agreed to use social media to publicise this ballot and to ensure that members know that the EIS is not affiliated to any Political Party. It was further agreed to encourage EIS Representatives to place this as an Agenda item at members meetings and to ask LA Secretaries to email members urging them to update all membership details.

(p) Hardship Fund: An oral report was provided by the Accountant and it was agreed to transfer £100,000 from the Professional Fund into the Hardship Fund.

(q) EIS Pension Trustee: Unite Staff Group – Appointment of Trustee: The appointment of Stuart Cunningham, Unite Staff Group, was agreed.

(r) Local Authority Education Budgets 2017-18: A summary paper on responses received from Local Authorities was noted.

(s) Affiliations 2017/2018: The Committee considered a paper listing the organisations to which the EIS is currently

affiliated. It was agreed to check the current status of all affiliations and to circulate the information to Local Association Secretaries, for information.

(2) COMMITTEE REPORTS

(a) Education Committee:

(i) Provision for Learning Support for Pupils: An oral report was provided by Assistant Secretary Bradley, outlining that whilst the Aberdeen Research Proposal was considered to be the strongest of the two proposals, concerns had been expressed over certain elements of the proposal. It was agreed to fund the proposal, to be chosen by the Education Committee, once these concerns have been resolved.

(3) FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

(a) EIS-ULA Executive Committee:

(i) Memo re Resolution 6 – Scottish Universities Supporting Palestinian Students (SUSPS): It was agreed to advise the EIS-ULA Executive that this would have to be submitted as a motion to either Council or AGM, as the Executive cannot decide to affiliate to an organisation on the basis of a memo. It was further agreed that EIS-ULA was authorised to use its own funds to support the project, if it so wished.

(4) POLITICAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

(a) TUC:

(i) TUC Congress 2017: Two Motions (suggestions for topics): The following topics for Motions to be submitted to the TUC Congress 2017 were suggested: Pay; and Workers’ Rights Post Brexit. It was agreed to give powers to the President and Officials to prepare the text and submit the two motions.

(ii) TUC Congress 2017: Joint Unions’ Reception Costs: It was agreed to contribute to the cost of the Joint Education Unions’ Reception at the TUC Congress 2017, in accordance with previous practice.

(b) Invitation from NUT to join Palestine Solidarity visit: It was agreed that the General Secretary and President accept the invitation from the NUT to join the Palestine visit.

(i) Financial Solidarity with Education and Science Workers’ Union of Turkey – Thank You Letter: A letter of thanks was noted.

(ii) Solidarity with Education Employees in Colombia: It was agreed to send a message of solidarity and to promote this appeal on the EIS website.

(d) Scottish Poetry Library – Tools of the Trade: Poems for Teachers to Support Resilience, Compassion and Wellbeing: It was agreed to sponsor this project, to a maximum cost of £5,000.

(e) COSLA Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce (DYW) Event - Invitation: It was agreed that Mick Dolan would attend this event on behalf of the EIS.

(f) Scottish Socialist Voice Forum (June 24th) – Invitation to Speak: It was agreed that the General Secretary accept the invitation to speak at this Forum.

An amendment to section (1)(h)(ii) was moved but subsequently withdrawn on the advice of the General Secretary.

4. Arising from meeting of the Executive Committee held on 15 September 2017 Council took the following decisions:

(1) FINANCE AND ORGANISATION

NB Updates decided on by Executive Committee are marked by an *.

(a) Investments:

(i) Standard Life Wealth – Report to 30 June 2017: The report for the Quarter to 30 June 2017 was noted. The report revealed that in the Quarter to 30 June there had been £500,000 withdrawn to finance Professional Fund operational requirements (Strike Pay & Hardship Fund payments). After accounting for this withdrawal there was a total positive return of £159,000 (1.9%). This comprised an increase of £87,000 (1.0%) in the market value of the Institute’s total non-charitable investments held by the company (Although £500,000 had been withdrawn the reduction in market value was limited to £413,000), whilst a further £72,000 of dividend income had been paid over to the Institute.

(ii) Standard Life Wealth Investment Performance Monitoring: The Sub-Committee noted a report which detailed the investment performance of Standard Life Wealth for the Quarter to 30 June 2017. Performance for the Quarter exceeded the benchmark for the Institute’s non-charitable funds by a margin of 1.3%. The overall weighted return for the Quarter exceeded the composite index benchmark by £104,000.

(iii) Charles Stanley Ltd – Portfolio Performance Report to 28 June 2017: The report for the 6 Months to 28 June 2017 was noted. The report revealed there had been a positive return of £774,000 (6.4%) comprising an increase of £538,000 (4.5%) in the market value of the Institute’s investments held by the company over the period and dividend income paid over to the Institute of £236,000.

(iv) Charles Stanley Ltd Investment Performance Monitoring: The Sub-Committee noted a report which detailed the investment performance of Charles Stanley for the 6 Months to 28 June 2017. Performance exceeded the benchmark on the General Fund by £27,000 and fell short by £83,000 on the Professional Fund and £24,000 on the Political Fund. Overall performance by the company fell short of the benchmarks by £80,000 and by a margin of 0.7%.

(v) Baillie Gifford & Co Report for Quarter to 30 June 2017: The report for the period to 30 June 2017 was noted. The report revealed there had been an increase of £90,800 (1.6%) over the Quarter. Performance exceeded the Fund’s benchmark of outperforming the UK Base rate by 3.5% per annum (net of fees) by a margin of 0.7%.

(vi) Walker Crips & Co Ltd – Portfolio Performance Report to 30 June 2017: The report for the Quarter to 30 June 2017 was noted. The report revealed there had been a negative return of £43,000 (0.4%) over the period.

(vii) Walker Crips & Co Ltd Investment Performance Monitoring: The Sub-Committee noted a report which detailed the investment performance of Walker Crips & Co for the Quarter to 30 June 2017. Performance fell short of the benchmark on the General Sterling Fund by £43,000 and fell short by £233,000 on the North American Funds. Overall performance was below the benchmark by £276,000 (2.6%) in pure cash terms. After removing the effect of adverse

currency movement over the period for the North American Funds, for which Walker Crips has no control since the company has been instructed to place these investments in these particular markets, overall investment performance fell short of the benchmarks by £62,000 (0.6%).

(viii) Fossil Fuels: The Sub-Committee decided, pending further consideration by Executive Committee of the remitted AGM Motion seeking divestment of EIS Funds before June 2019 from companies directly responsible for the extraction of fossil fuels, to postpone Phase 2 of the investment restructuring scheduled for September 2017. The restructuring entails the sale of approximately £3.65 million of Standard Life Wealth’s Bridge Fund from the Professional Fund and its replacement with a £3.65 million investment in the Legal & General Ethical Global Fund.

(b) Accounts for Payment – May-August 2017: Authorisation of expenditure was given for the following items:

(a) Purchase Ledger Payments by BACS/Cheque – May to July 2017.

(b) Accounts for Payment – May to July 2017.

(a) Staff Overtime and Temporary Replacements: Authorisation of staff overtime and temporary replacement costs for the months of May to July 2017 was given.

(b) Appointments and Resignations:

Appointments

Colum Bannatyne – Administrative Assistant, Reception (Job Share) 23 May 2017

Emma Davidson – Administrative Assistant, Reception (Job Share) 19 June 2017

Eilidh Porelli – Organiser (Headquarters) 7 August 2017

John Harris – Administrative Assistant (Education & Equality) 14 August 2017

* Natalie Carroll – Administrative Assistant (Employment Relations) 11 September 2017

Resignation

Esther Norrie – Administrative Assistant (Employment Relations) 8 September 2017 (Was employed through an agency on temporary basis as commences university in September 2017).

Contract Variation

Emily Kemp - Administrative Assistant (Organisation - F&HE) Reduction in hours from Full Time to 0.6FTE - 1 September 2017.

(d) Travel and Subsistence for Members: Travel and Subsistence for Members: Following consideration of a report from the Accountant the Sub-Committee decided that, with the exception of those listed below, there should be no changes to any of the existing travelling, subsistence, conference delegate, and mileage rates for the year commencing 1 October 2017.

Overnight-Complete 24 Hours £120.00 (formerly £100.00)

Overnight Less than 24 Hours £90.00 (formerly £70.00)

Domestic Animals Allowance £12.00 (formerly £7.00)

(e) Institute Properties - Update:

(i) Headquarters – Refurbishment of Basement No. 48 Moray Place: The Sub-Committee was informed that the refurbishment was now nearing completion and, as it was hoped that the property could be either let or at least available for let by the date of its next meeting on 27 October, was invited to undertake an inspection. The Sub-Committee, after receiving an oral report on the circumstances from the Head of Finance, decided not to accede to a request from the tenants of No 47 Moray Place for a rent rebate due to noise levels experienced by them during the refurbishment period.

(ii) Glasgow Area Office – Refurbishment of 6 Clairmont Gardens: The Sub-Committee was advised that, despite pressure being applied by the project’s

architects, Fouin and Bell, the planning application for the installation of the platform lift had yet to be determined, although representatives of Glasgow City Council had visited the property earlier in the week. The Council had also intimated that the target determination date for the application was 20 September. The General Secretary informed the Sub- Committee that, assuming planning consent is obtained, the intention is to go out to tender for the project as soon as possible thereafter. The General Secretary also intimated that, should the project proceed, alternative temporary accommodation will be sought for Institute employees in the STUC offices.

(f) Strike Hardship Fund – Review of Operation of the Hardship Fund during FELA national dispute: The Sub Committee received oral reports from the President, Ex-President, and the Accountant on the operation of the Strike Hardship Fund during the recent FELA national dispute. Although the Fund had been available in the previous Edinburgh College dispute its usage on that occasion was minimal, and accordingly the extent of applications submitted requiring individual consideration during the national dispute which exceeded 1,000 and from which approximately 850 members were awarded assistance from the Fund was somewhat unexpected. The Sub-Committee particularly commended the positive aspect of help being available relatively quickly to those members who really needed it. It was acknowledged that the Emergency Sub-Committee’s decision to introduce universal Strike Pay for the later stages of the dispute in substitution for the Hardship Fund alleviated the workload to a considerable degree as this did not entail individual assessments being undertaken and would have stemmed the lodging of further applications. The Sub-Committee made the following suggestions for consideration in the future:

(1) That Branch Secretaries or the relevant lay Office Bearers be provided with more information and guidance on Hardship Fund criteria at the outset of disputes.

(2) That there be clarity on family members qualifying as “dependents”, for example should this include or exclude children at university.

(3) That the Application Form includes questions regarding the number of members of the household and their incomes where applicable.

(4) Whether it is more appropriate in considering industrial action strategy for consideration to be given to introducing universal strike pay- possibly at a lower level – earlier in the dispute rather than continuing with Hardship Fund applications.

The Sub-Committee also wished to place on record its appreciation to the employees involved in the administration of the applications and the processing of payments for the considerable additional work undertaken at short notice in support of members.

(g) EIS Financial Services Ltd Directors Meeting 7 June 2017: The Convener gave an oral report on the meeting of the Board of Directors which had been held on 7 June prior to the Institute AGM. The meeting was the first in which she had attended in this capacity, and amongst the principal items of business were the approval of the 2017/18 Business Plan and Budget, arrangements for the “win a car” insurance promotion, and the 2018 salary review for the company’s employees. The Board also approved the appointment of the Convener and Susan Quinn as company directors subject to Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) approval. The Convener informed the Sub-Committee that this had been subsequently received.

The Convener also advised the Sub-Committee that the next Board Meeting is to take place on 31 August with it being intended that it be attended by representatives of Three-sixty, the company’s FCA compliance consultants.

(h) Edinburgh College FELA Branch – Possible Operation of Unofficial Bank Account: The Sub-Committee gave consideration to a report by the Accountant which included correspondence between him and the Branch Secretary regarding the opening of an unauthorised bank account in the name of the EIS Edinburgh College FELA Branch with the Royal Bank of Scotland in Nicolson Street, Edinburgh. The report revealed that the matter had been referred to the Institute’s Auditors for further investigation. Following extensive discussion, the Sub Committee decided;

(1) That the auditors be requested to undertake their investigation as a matter of urgency, that they be instructed to seek information from the Royal Bank of Scotland as to the opening of the bank account and the provision of statements if applicable, and that they provide a report on the outcome of the investigation to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.

(2) To seek written confirmation from the Edinburgh College FELA Branch that the designated bank account with the Royal Bank of Scotland has been closed.

(3) That in view of recent events the President, the Area Officer, and an appropriate FELA Office Bearer should attend an Edinburgh College Branch meeting regarding the conduct of branch affairs.

(i) Countdown Discount Scheme: The Sub Committee noted a report which updated details of members’ participation in various incentives/discounts provided by the Countdown Card and decided to extend the Institute’s participation in the scheme for the year commencing 1 January 2018.

(j) Scottish Union Learning – Leadership Development Fund: The Sub- Committee approved the submission of an application to the Scottish Union Learning - Leadership Development Fund for a grant of £3,800 in respect of the provision of a proposed 2 day residential Leadership Development day in January 2018, thereby following up the two previously successful initiatives.

(k) Members’ Legal Helpline: The Sub-Committee agreed to a proposal from Unionline Legal Services, which is jointly owned by the GMB and CWU trade unions, for the provision of a replacement members’ legal helpline at an annual cost of £10,000 exclusive of VAT. The Sub-Committee also instructed that it be provided with regular updates on the extent of usage of the helpline by members.

(l) Election Guidelines & Protocols: With reference to Item 13 of the minute of the meeting of 9 March 2017 which determined that a Working Group comprising elected members from the 2017/18 Sub-Committee, including the Convener, and employees was to be appointed to review and report on the guidelines and protocols regarding Institute elections the Sub-Committee appointed the Working Group as follows; Elected Members - Convener, President, David Baxter, Susan Quinn. Employees – Accountant, Area Officer Scott, Lynsey Fraser, Angela Smith. The Sub-Committee also decided that the first meeting of the Working Group should take place on Friday 27 October.

(m) Annual Examination of Expenses 2015/16: The Convener and Ex-President reported on their examination of expenses which had been conducted over the summer period. Following discussion the Sub-Committee agreed that in the future the examination should take place twice yearly.

(n) Local Association Constitutions:

(i) East Ayrshire Local Association:

(a) Composition of Executive Committee: The Sub- Committee, on being advised by the local association that it was intended the Executive Committee comprise the Office-Bearers in addition to a maximum of 5 members elected from both the primary/nursery and secondary/special sectors, approved a reworded change to the constitution which clarified the position.

(b) Election of Delegates to the AGM of the Institute: The Sub-Committee re-affirmed its decision to disapprove the proposed change by the local association which would dispense with the existing open election of AGM delegates (in 2017 the local association was entitled to 4 AGM delegates in addition to its 2 Council members) and replace this with a stratified method which allocated delegate places to the association’s Office-Bearers in the first instance, and then, should any delegate place remain untaken, to its Executive Committee.

(ii) Highland Local Association: The Sub-Committee deferred consideration of proposed changes submitted by Highland Local Association until its next meeting, and instructed that full details on the proposals be circulated with the Agenda.

(o) Institute Insurances 2017-18: The Sub-Committee confirmed renewal of the existing Institute Insurances for 2017-18 under the long-term agreement with Aviva at an estimated cost of £53,500 compared to £47,800 in 2016- 17, with the higher cost being attributable to the increased rate of Insurance Premium Tax and to an increased number of EIS cars requiring to be insured. The Sub-Committee approved, as a consequence of the Ogden Discount Rate change, an increase in the Public Liability Insurance cover limit from £5 million to £10 million. The Sub-Committee also agreed further investigations should be made into the viability of increasing the Directors & Officials cover to a similar level as Public Liability, and, with regard to the increased risks and sophisticated nature of IT related fraud, to the viability of initiating a crime policy to complement the existing cyber insurance.

(p) AGM 2017 Resolutions passed to Executive Committee:

(i) Comprehensive Education

That this AGM:

(a) reaffirms its commitment to comprehensive education in Scotland;

(b) rejects all marketisation approaches to school education;

(c) resolves to continue to campaign for adequate resourcing of comprehensive education in order that its aspirations can be fully realised.

It was agreed to note as policy and incorporate into existing campaign.

(ii) Impact of Poverty: Children’s and Young People’s Educational Experience

That this AGM resolves to:

(b) publicly reaffirm its commitment to the universal provision of free school meals;

(c) lobby Scottish Government to ensure adequacy, and consistency across local authorities in the level of clothing grants awarded as per the terms of the Education Act (2016);

(d) lobby local authorities to maximise access to clothing grant entitlements and to ensure that school uniform requirements are universally affordable.

It was agreed to note as policy and disseminate to Scottish Government, and other stakeholders, including Local Authorities, MSPs and Parents’ organisations. It was also agreed to update EIS literature.

It was further agreed to await a briefing from the Equality Committee in relation to section (d).

(iii) New National Qualification Course Design and Assessment

That this AGM call upon Council to investigate and monitor new National Qualification course design and assessment and if the changes result in increased Workload then members to be balloted on the reinstatement of the suspended industrial action.

It was agreed to await feedback from the Education Committee.

(iv) PSE Programmes in Schools

That this AGM call on the EIS, in conjunction with the STUC, to devise a course on the positive benefits of trade unionism that could be taught as part of PSE programmes in Scottish schools and colleges.

It was agreed to contact the STUC to explore current provision and to inform course development.

(v) Removal of GTCS Qualified Teacher from Early Learning and Childcare Settings

That this AGM resolve that the EIS raise awareness of the negative impact of the removal of a GTCS qualified teacher from early learning and childcare settings and that this AGM instruct Council to rigorously campaign to make it statutory requirement to have a qualified teacher as the leading professional in every nursery class.

It was agreed to note as policy and incorporate into existing campaign work.

(vi) Unifying the Care Commission and Education Scotland Quality Assurance Inspection Processes

That this AGM instruct Council to enter discussions with the Scottish Government around unifying the Care Commission and Education Scotland quality assurance and inspection processes in school based early years’ settings.

It was agreed that Education Committee would lead on this and the EIS would participate on the Education Scotland and Care Inspectorate Working Group.

(vii) 1+2 Language Training for Primary Teachers Beyond 2020

That this AGM call on the Scottish Government to release adequate funding to complete 1 + 2 language training for primary teachers beyond 2020.

It was agreed to write to the Scottish Government.

(viii) National Standardised Testing: Boycott

That this AGM resolve that, if the Scottish Government implements national standardised testing which the EIS determines as detrimental to learning and teaching in schools, all members in primary and secondary schools will be balloted on a boycott of the administration and reporting of the test results.

It was agreed to await feedback from the Education Committee.

(ix) New Approaches to ITE

That this AGM condemns the recent decision of the Scottish Government to tender for new approaches to ITE which would bypass universities and calls on Council to campaign against any proposals which would alter the current balance between academic and practical placements.

It was agreed to await feedback from the Education Committee and for these concerns to be highlighted to the Communications Department.

(x) The Role of the SNCT

“That this AGM resolve to strongly oppose any action by the Government to undermine the role of the SNCT as a result of the Governance Review of Scottish Education.

Furthermore, that the AGM instruct Council to ballot for industrial action up to and including strike action, in the event that the role of the SNCT is undermined.”

It was agreed to include this position in EIS consultation responses and other communications with the Government.

(xi) ‘A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century’: Campaign

That this AGM instruct Council to initiate, develop and implement a campaign with the aim of restoring members’ pay, in real terms, to that established by ‘A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century’ for next year’s pay negotiations. As part of this campaign, that this AGM instruct Council to issue information to members on how far members’ salaries have declined, in real terms, since implementation of ‘A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century’.

It was agreed that Salaries Committee would lead on this and that the Executive Committee consider campaign approaches and strategy at the Residential Executive and thereafter.

(xii) Restoration of Salaries to the Value of the McCrone Settlement: Campaign

That this AGM instruct Council to prepare a campaign to restore salaries to the values of the McCrone settlement, based on inflation figures, and to negotiate on this basis for next year’s pay settlement.

Failure to reach agreement would result in a ballot of members, to begin a campaign of industrial action including strike action, from the start of the academic year in 2018-19.

It was agreed that Salaries Committee would lead on this and that the Executive Committee consider campaign approaches and strategy at the Residential Executive and thereafter.

(xiii) IT Systems

That this AGM call on the Scottish Government and local authorities to ensure that IT systems are fit for purpose to enable teachers to work at a time and place of our own choosing.

It was agreed to write to the Scottish Government and Local Authorities.

(xiv) Pupil Equity Funding

That this AGM instruct Council to lobby the Scottish Government to increase teacher numbers in order to maximise the potential of Pupil Equity Funding.

It was agreed to write to the Scottish Government.

(xv) National EIS Health & Safety Committee

That this AGM instruct Council to conduct and report on the results of a scoping exercise to ascertain the level of interest, need and expertise available for the formation of a national EIS Health and Safety Committee, whose remit is principally one of providing training and advice to members.

It was agreed to conduct a scoping exercise with LA Secretaries and Health & Safety Representatives and to report back to Council.

(xvi) School Finance Committee

That this AGM call for there to be a school finance committee in each school to oversee devolved school budgets, including direct funding and Attainment Challenge/Pupil Equity Fund monies, and that such committees include staff and trade union representation. That the AGM further resolve to organise training for EIS reps in how to scrutinise school finances.

It was agreed to include this position in EIS consultation responses and other communications with Government and to raise with Local Authorities through LNCTs.

(xvii) EIS Health and Safety Representatives

That this AGM reaffirm its commitment to the right of EIS Health and Safety Representatives to carry out their functions under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977.

It was agreed to note as policy.

(xviii) Asbestos: Campaign

That this AGM instruct Council to actively campaign to ensure all educational establishments are made asbestos free by 2020.

It was agreed to ascertain from Employment Relations the extent of the issue and previous work undertaken.

(xix) Provision of Free Sanitary Products

That this AGM welcome the initiative taken by South Lanarkshire College to provide free sanitary products to both staff and students.

It was agreed to investigate costs and report back to Council.

(xx) Teacher Workload: Campaign

That this AGM, in response to continuing excessive teacher workload, instruct Council to campaign to ensure that Local Authorities, the Scottish Government, Education Scotland and the SQA act to reduce teacher workload to ensure a healthy work-life balance for teachers. This campaign to include wide publicising of the data derived from surveys in recent years on the unpaid over-time worked by teachers and on the state of teacher morale and health and wellbeing.

It was agreed to remit to Strategy Sub-Committee.

(xxi) The Role and Function of the SNCT and LNCT’s

That this AGM, in the light of the Scottish Government’s Governance Review of Scottish Education, reaffirm its commitment to the role and function of the SNCT and LNCTs and to the principle of collegiality.

It was agreed to note as policy and share the position with the Government.

(xxii) Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) Campaign: Affiliate

That this AGM resolve to affiliate to the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign, in support of LGBT+ inclusive education in all Scottish schools.

It was agreed to affiliate to TIE.

(xxiii) Representative in Every School

That this AGM call on Council to investigate and report on ways that the current policy of a representative in every school can be enhanced.

It was agreed to produce a report for a future meeting of the Executive Committee.

(xxiv) Wealth Taxes

That this AGM resolves to investigate and report on wealth taxes as a potential means of increasing spending on Education and closing the Poverty Attainment Gap, with a view to developing a future EIS policy stance on such taxes.

It was agreed to produce a paper for a future meeting of the Executive Committee based on a review of current strategies. It was agreed to link this to resolution 29.

(xxv) Membership Records

That this AGM instruct Council to initiate a campaign with the following objectives:

(a) a six-month drive to update membership details;

(b) increase details held on members to include a current email address and telephone number;

It was agreed that this be dealt with administratively with the membership department.

(xxvi) Charitable Status of the GTCS

That this AGM resolve that Council should investigate and report on the charitable status of the GTCS.

It was agreed to obtain a report on the charitable status of the GTCS.

(xxvii) Child Refugees Admitted to the UK

That this AGM condemns the Home Office’s decision to curtail the numbers of child refugees admitted to the UK.

It was agreed to note as policy and to write to the UK Government on the issue.

(xxviii) Budget Allocations to Publicly Funded Educational Establishments

That this AGM instruct Council to campaign to ensure that all budget allocations to publicly funded educational establishments are administered in a fair and transparent manner, and are subject to full, rigorous monitoring and scrutiny by and accountability to local, democratic structures.

It was agreed to include this policy into the response for Fair Funding consultation and to feature in our communications strategy.

(xxix) Additional Fiscal Measures to Increase Overall Revenue

That this AGM call upon Council to investigate additional fiscal measures that the Scottish Government could consider to increase overall revenue with a view to developing a future EIS policy stance on such measures.

It was agreed to produce a paper for a future meeting of the Executive Committee based on a review of current strategies. It was agreed to link this to resolution 24.

(xxx) Educational Practitioners: Bridging the Funding Gap

That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report (through directed survey or other practicable means) on the extent to which, in the climate of

austerity and budget cuts, educational practitioners are bridging the funding gap by spending their own money on educational materials and resources for learners.

It was agreed to carry out a sample member survey and report back to a future meeting of the Executive Committee.

(xxxi) GTCS Registration Fees: Methods of Payment

That this AGM instruct Council to engage with the GTCS in order to explore alternative methods of payment of registration fees.

It was agreed to share this policy with EIS members on the GTCS governing body.

(xxxii) Social Media

That this AGM instruct Council to initiate a national campaign highlighting the negative impact on home/school relationships of the posting of inappropriate comments on Social Media by parents/carers.

It was agreed to await feedback from the Employment Relations Committee.

(xxxiii) Attainment Fund

That this AGM instruct Council:

(a) to campaign the Scottish Government to provide clear and transparent guidelines for the spending of the allocated Attainment Fund;

(b) for regular audits of the spending to be carried out;

It was agreed to include this policy into the response for the Fair Funding consultation and to include in the current campaigning.

(xxxiv) Remitted Motion: Companies Directly Responsible for the Extraction of Fossil Fuels: Divest EIS Funds

That this AGM resolve to divest EIS funds before June 2019 from companies directly responsible for the extraction of fossil fuels.

It was agreed that a paper be prepared by the Finance Sub-Committee to further explore this remitted motion before a decision at a future meeting of the Executive Committee.

(q) Political Fund Ballot: The following resolution was approved:

“It is hereby resolved, pursuant to section 92 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (as amended)

(a) that the rules of the Educational Institute of Scotland be amended by the addition of the political fund ballot rules, now before Council, under which a ballot may be held on a resolution approving the furtherance of political objects within the meaning of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 as an object of the trade union; and

(b) that, if those rules are approved by the Certification Officer, a ballot be held in accordance with them.

(r) Affiliations 2017/2018: The Committee considered a paper listing the organisations to which the EIS is currently affiliated. It was agreed that affiliations were not time limited, and to further contact those organisations with whom our affiliation fees have lapsed in order to facilitate payment. It was further noted that where the Institute has not had contact with an organisation over a two year period, no affiliation fees would be paid.

(s) Recruitment and Membership:

(i) General Recruitment, Student Membership and Probationer Recruitment: The recruitment figures since the last meeting of Executive Committee were noted. It was agreed to incorporate the number of EIS Representatives per Local Association.

(ii) Student Sponsorship 2017-2018: A paper outlining the level of funding available to sponsor events at TEIs across Scotland for 2017-2018 was approved.

(iii) Organisers’ Outputs – Training Courses: It was agreed to authorise supporting and resourcing further Health & Safety Courses.

(t) Building an Active Union: It was agreed for Strategy Sub to take forward the learning points on campaigning and the EIS Pay Campaign following the Committee’s deliberations in an extended session.

(u) Review of Complaints Procedure: The Review of the Complaints Procedure paper was noted. It was agreed to establish a short life working group to carry out a full review and report back to a future Executive.

The following members were elected to the Short-Life Working Group: President (Chair), Ex-President, Helen Connor, Alan Crosbie, Nicola Dasgupta, John Kelly and Jayne Rowe.

(2) COMMITTEE REPORTS

(a) Education Committee, 15 June and 29 August 2017:

(i) Scottish National Standardised Assessment (SNSA): A memo on standardised assessments was noted and it was agreed to issue an amended version of the memo as advice to Local Associations and to seek to arrange cluster meetings in every Local Association (via LNCT’s and Local Representatives).

(b) Employment Relations Committee, 14 June and 30 August 2017:

(i) Inappropriate Comments on Social Media by Parents/Carers – 2017 AGM Resolution: The memorandum was noted and it was agreed to arrange for the Communications Department to take this forward.

(ii) The Impact of Mental Health Matters on Education Staff – 2017 AGM Resolution: The memorandum was noted and it was agreed to bring a paper back to a future meeting of the Executive.

(iii) Zero Tolerance of Violence – 2017 AGM Resolution: The memorandum was noted as current policy and to incorporate it into our campaign materials.

(i) ‘Welcome Packs’: It was agreed to fund the £3,000 cost for ‘Welcome Packs’ for young people newly arrived in Scotland and entering school, college or university in Scotland.

(d) Salaries Committee, 31 August 2017:

(i) Maximum Class Contact Time – 2017 AGM Resolution: The memorandum was noted and it was agreed to incorporate this into the workload campaign.

(3) POLITICAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

(a) Scottish Government:

(i) Governance Consultation Update: An oral update was provided by the General Secretary. Following lengthy discussion, it was agreed to produce further EIS documents setting out the EIS’ position to the Government, stakeholders and in response to the recent report issued by Parliament’s Education Committee.

(ii) Fair Funding Consultation: The draft EIS response to the Government’s Fair Funding Consultation was agreed with minor amendments. The Office Bearers were given authority to make minor changes before submission.

(iii) Response from John Swinney re Additional In-Service Day: The response from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills declining, for the time being, the EIS request for an additional in-service day for schools to focus on assessment was noted and it was agreed that the General Secretary would write further in this regard, as instructed by the Education Committee.

(b) Migration Advisory Committee Consultation: The EIS response to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) Call for Evidence was agreed.

(c) Israel & Palestine Teaching Materials produced by the Glasgow and Clyde Rights Based Learning Group (GCRBLG): An oral report was provided by Susan Quinn

and it was agreed to write to the Scottish Government and Education Scotland raising concerns and seeking a meeting to discuss. It was agreed that the EIS delegation at this meeting should be drawn from: President, Assistant Secretary Bradley, Colin Finlay or Andrew Fullwood.

(d) Edinburgh World Justice Festival: Request for Financial Support: It was agreed to participate in the Edinburgh World Justice Festival.

(e) WEA Membership: It was agreed to continue to subscribe to the One WEA membership scheme for an annual fee of £15.

(f) Education International: Urgent Action Appeal – Solidarity with Victims of Recent Hurricanes and Floods: It was agreed to donate £5,000 to this appeal.

EDUCATION MATTERS

5. Arising from meeting of the Education Committee held on 15 June 2017, Council took the following decisions:

(1) SECONDARY

(a) SQA:

(i) EIS/SQA Meeting 17 May 2017: A written report from Assistant Secretary Bradley was noted by the Committee who were made aware of the challenging and non-collegiate context of the meeting. Key points highlighted from the report included: the EIS had again raised the issue of the apparent disparity in terms of payment for marking of items of internal assessment that contribute to the final mark. Members who teach Modern Languages, Hospitality, Textiles, ESOL, PE and Woodwork and Metalwork had brought the disparity to the attention of EIS HQ. It was agreed to send a follow up letter to the SQA on this matter. It was further agreed to Memo Executive Committee to seek guidance on next steps available. Other matters discussed included National Qualifications Update, specifically in relation to N5 course specifications. SQA confirmed they were in the very early stages of preparing packages of support materials for the subjects in which there have been changes to course content. SQA progress with the consultation work on the N4 qualification was queried. SQA indicated that a consultation paper would be drafted by the end of the summer for presentation to the ANQ Group. Concerns were also raised around the

issue of new arrangements for the secure storage of exam materials, which had effectively undermined the important pastoral care role that teachers have with students immediately post-exam.

(ii) SQA Advisory Council Meeting of 5 June 2017: The Vice-Convener provided a written report of the meeting. The Committee noted that support materials for assessment would continue to be issued over the summer. Support in certain subjects was currently available on the website and through webinar presentation continuing until the end of September. Concerns around the timeline around decision of the November deadline for presentation decisions had been raised. The General Secretary confirmed the position around timeline and that the Cabinet Secretary had indicated a caveat around the decision- making process. It was decided to continue to highlight to members EIS senior phase assessment advice.

(iii) SQA Course Content: The Committee noted copies of correspondence with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and the SQA. It was decided to keep dialogue active and to accept the invitations to meet with both the Cabinet Secretary and the SQA to discuss matters further.

(2) CROSS SECTOR

(a) Scottish Government:

(i) National Improvement Framework:

(a) NIF Quarterly Update for Professional Associations: Assistant Secretary Bradley provided a written report of the meeting on 10 May 2017. Matters discussed included achievement of CfE level returns, demo of dashboard, Scottish National Standardised Assessments update and International Council of Education Advisers. It was reported that assessments had been trialled across 5 local authorities. The beta phase was not yet ready; however pilot assessments were underway in some schools. Headteacher briefings covered the training and support required. EIS queried the duration of training, highlighting the need for consideration within WTA discussions. It was decided to raise at the forthcoming Local Association Secretaries Training to provide a

clear message on how to support through LNCTs and WTAs. It was noted that a NIF-related consultation will take place between August and the autumn, with the unions invited to participate.

(ii) Education Scotland:

(a) Parentzone Strategic Stakeholders Group. The meeting scheduled to take place on 25 May 2017 had been cancelled and the next meeting date of the group was to be confirmed. It was decided to seek interest from the current representative on the group, A Harvey, to continue on the group in the first instance.

(iii) General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS): The Committee noted that the EIS had been invited to participate in the Strategic Steering Group and Working Groups on the Review of the GTCS Professional Standards. EIS representatives had been nominated to serve on the various groups. Jayne Rowe, a nominated representative on the Review of Standard for Career Long Professional Learning Working Group, had reported on the first meeting held on 12 May 2017. Participants had been allocated to their groups, remits identified and specific tasks issued. It was noted that there had not been an invitation to the EIS to nominate a representative to the Review of College Standards Working Group and it was agreed to follow this up. A further meeting of the Groups was scheduled to take place on Monday 19 June 2017.

(3) AGM RESOLUTIONS 2017

(a) The Committee agreed actions to take forward the following AGM Resolutions passed to the Education Committee:

(i) “This AGM resolves to pursue potential routes for Professional Registration in other sectors for GTCS registered Further Education Lecturers.”

To raise with the EIS-GTCS group and to liaise with EIS-FELA. Further, to include as an agenda item at meetings of EIS and GTCS senior leadership teams; and to seek a meeting with the GTCS Director with responsibility for Professional Registration, to include EIS-FELA representation.

(ii) “This AGM requests that Council supports a campaign to establish Holocaust Education as a feature of the Curriculum for Excellence.”

To make contact and meet with various representatives, with specialism in Holocaust education, to learn about best practice. To gather information from certain EIS members and communicate and liaise with ITE institutions and raise at meetings with various external bodies. Additionally, to provide a briefing for Local Association Secretaries. It was also agreed to seek permission from the Equality Committee to raise with and issue briefing to, EIS Equality Reps and at the appropriate time, to have the matter considered by CPD Sub Committee of professional learning provision on Holocaust education for EIS members by the Union.

(iii) “This AGM expresses its concern at the continuing reduction in EAL teachers, ASN teachers and vital support staff including classroom assistants and ASN assistants and call on Council to campaign for an increase in staffing to support this provision. Further, that this AGM instructs Council to campaign for a review of resourcing of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009 and to urge the Scottish Government to increase funding and staffing levels following this review. Further, the campaign should reflect the growing concerns of members of the impact of under-funding of support for ASN on wider attainment and achievement levels.”

To consult with the ASN and HT & DHT national Networks, and with members who specialise in EAL. To access and examine relevant data and thereafter supply relevant data with an accompanying briefing to LA Secretaries and Branch Secretaries to support lobbying within LNCTs and Colleges; to inform contributions to meetings of AGASL and SABRABIS; and provide to representatives on teachers’ panel of the SNCT. Further, to meet and correspond with relevant external partners and to provide media coverage to include comment on resourcing of ASL provision when opportunities arise, e.g. in relevant consultation responses.

(iv) “This AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on the impact of increasing numbers of pupils and students being identified with social, emotional and mental health issues, on teachers, lecturers, students and pupils at a time of budget cuts reducing the

numbers of ASN teachers and learning support assistants.”

To examine pupil census data and Reports to Parliament on the ASL Act and to consult the ASN, Educational Psychologist and HT Networks. To gather relevant information from Local Association Secretaries. Additionally, to raise at meetings of SAGRABIS and to liaise with EIS-FELA, with a view to gathering relevant information from the FE sector.

(v) “This AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on:

(a) the workload associated with GIRFEC and young person’s planning meetings across all schools in Scotland; (b) the level of support available from external agencies.”

To establish an online network of Pastoral Care specialists and to consult with EIS Networks. Additionally, to conduct a sample survey, including time audit, with various members who teach in Special Education and seek information as necessary from Local Association Secretaries.

(vi) “This AGM instruct Council to lobby, in all relevant fora, for the SQA to produce enough high quality resources to support the changes to assessment in National Qualifications. This support to include at least three Specimen Papers for the final assessment.”

To consult with Subject Specialists regarding minimum requirements and write to SQA and Scottish Government, and follow up as necessary. To raise again with Education Scotland and in a range of other fora.

(vii) “This AGM calls on the Council to investigate and report on workload issues arising from the new qualification assessment arrangements, and changes to National Courses statement issued by the SQA on the 15th December 2016. This could include, but not be limited to, issues arising from: (a) class sizes; (b) practical/non-practical subjects; (c) multi-level classes.”

To collate the data included in recent communications received from members on the changes and consult with various members as necessary. Carry out a sample survey of members early in the new session.

(viii) “This AGM call upon Council to investigate and monitor new National Qualification course design and assessment and if the changes result in increased Workload then members to be balloted on the reinstatement of the suspended industrial action.”

To evaluate the information gathered for Resolution vii. Thereafter, conduct a survey of Secondary members in January 2018 and follow up with members of various groups as required. In the event of an increase in workload the matter will be referred to Executive Committee.

(ix) “This AGM call on Council to campaign for SQA to engage fully with the Teaching profession to provide a 'fit for purpose' qualifications system which reduces workload for pupils, teachers, students and lecturers.”

To raise through a range of fora and engage with EIS members involved in NQSTs.

(x) “This AGM resolve that the EIS should investigate and report on the effect of an increase in the statutory age for starting primary school to age 7 and the development of a compulsory kindergarten stage, where there is a focus on social skills and learning through play.”

To conduct desk-based research of existing evidence and explore through Nursery/Early Primary focus groups. To liaise with the with Employment Relations Department. Additionally, to meet with representatives of Upstart, Children in Scotland, and with Professor Aline-Wendy Dunlop.

(xi) “This AGM call for employing councils to have ICT strategies and policies which allow teachers the widest possible access to online resources and to use their professional judgement to select which of these are suitable for teaching and learning.”

To write to all local authorities raising the issue and to raise at EIS-Education Scotland meetings. Thereafter to provide a briefing for Local Association Secretaries to support LNCT discussions on the issue.

(xii) “This AGM call for teachers to have access to purposeful CLPL opportunities that are properly planned and resourced.”

Consider outcomes of the Governance Review in relation to professional learning opportunities. To raise at a future CPD Sub Committee meeting and consider the potential for the development of the role of the Union in meeting CLPL needs. Additionally, to consult with the appropriate EIS Networks.

To raise with, and enter into discussions, with a range of external bodies and follow up as necessary. To raise the need for purposeful, well-resourced CLPL on various topics in all relevant fora e.g. AGASL, LGBTI Inclusion Working Group, etc.; and whenever possible in relevant consultation responses. To brief Local Association Secretaries to support LNCT discussion.

(xiii) “This AGM resolve that, if the Scottish Government implements national standardised testing which the EIS determines as detrimental to learning and teaching in schools, all members in primary and secondary schools will be balloted on a boycott of the administration and reporting of the test results.”

It was noted that Education Committee would lead on this matter and liaise with Executive Committee.

To gather further information from various meetings at which Beta assessments will be showcased. To issue an FOI to local authorities seeking information on plans for implementation of SNSAs, with an accompanying letter outlining the EIS position. To evaluate returns against EIS assessment policy and refer to Executive if necessary. To communicate with and seek relevant information from Local Association Secretaries and School Reps.

(xiv) “This AGM condemns the recent decision of the Scottish Government to tender for new approaches to ITE which would bypass universities and calls on Council to campaign against any proposals which would alter the current balance between academic and practical placements.”

It was noted that Education Committee would lead on this matter and liaise with Executive Committee.

To contact a range of fora raising the issue and to raise in meetings with the Cabinet Secretary and with political parties as appropriate. To liaise with EIS-ULA on the issue and utilise appropriate media and press opportunities.

(xv) “This AGM call on Council to promote and re-establish Anti-Racist Education firmly in the curriculum for every year group and sector; including training for all teachers and lecturers in light of the current political climate and as a way to tackle the rise in Racism.”

It was noted that Equality Committee would lead on this matter and liaise with Education Committee.

It was agreed to await information from the Equality Committee following data collection on racist incidents.

Thereafter, gather information from various members teaching in nurseries and special schools, and on current provision for anti-racist education within the curriculum. Additionally, gather information on the availability of training for teachers in anti-racist education.

To have the matter raised as at various meetings within a range of fora and to communicate and liaise with ITE institutions on current and future provision.

To have the matter considered by CPD Sub Committee at an appropriate point and to brief Local Association Secretaries to inform LNCT discussions.

(xvi) “This AGM call on Council to:

(b) develop recommendations for partners regarding enhancing current provision of equalities education for teachers, both through ITE and through ongoing Professional Learning.”

To seek meetings with Heads of Schools of Education to discuss and to raise as an agenda item for EIS- GTCS senior leadership team meeting and CPD Sub Committee. To liaise with the Equality Committee regarding preferred ITE content and nature of ongoing Professional Learning and thereafter compile recommendations as appropriate for the main providers of professional learning for teachers.

(xvii) “This AGM call on Council to campaign for an ‘Alternative to Exclusion’ provision that will protect teachers from abusive behaviour.”

To consult with the ASN and HT & DHT Networks and seek information on effective alternative to exclusion models from various EIS members. To raise through meetings and correspondence with external bodies and in consultation responses as appropriate.

Remitted Motion from EIS-AGM

“This AGM instruct Council to campaign for the assessment of National 5 and Higher English Writing by means of external examination rather than through the current SQA procedure of folio assessment.”

To endorse existing policy on the assessment of Writing in the interests of social justice and assessment validity. Further to address the workload, inequity and authenticity issues raised by the mover in a paper to be disseminated to members through Reps’ and Members’ bulletins, and via the HT & DHT Network.

Additionally, to gather information from various members on levels of bureaucracy and workload associated with folio templates to inform discussions with the SQA. To continue to raise the issue of time allocation by schools to Senior Phase courses within meetings of external bodies.

(4) SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS

(a) The Committee considered applications for funding from the 2016-17 budget and it was decided to support the following organisations:

(i) Milngavie Community Development Trust, £160 (ii) Scottish European Educational Trust, £1,000 (iii) The National Youth Orchestra, £2000 (iv) Queensferry Music Society, £500 (v) National Theatre of Scotland, £1,500.

(vi) It was agreed to give powers to the Convener, Vice- Convener and Assistant Secretary Bradley to review the previous allocations of applications this session to distribute the remaining balance of the budget.

6. Arising from meeting of the Education Committee held on 29 August 2017, Council took the following decisions:

(1) SECONDARY

(a) SQA:

(i) Equality & Inclusion Key Partners Group. The Committee noted a written report from National officer Jenny Kemp of the meeting held on 28 April 2017. A key issue highlighted was professional learning on additional assessment arrangements with the need for investment of time and resources. It was decided to raise the matter of applications for AAAs from Independent Schools at a future meeting.

(2) CROSS SECTOR

(a) Scottish Government:

(i) Assessment and National Qualifications Group:

(a) Guidance on changes to the National Qualifications. The Committee noted guidance on changes to the national qualifications issued on behalf of the Assessment and National Qualifications Group. The guidance had been issued to all secondary school teachers and headteachers, as well as Directors of Education on March 31. It was agreed to monitor presentation patterns and decided to seek information on the incidence of bi-level teaching as part of the work on the AGM Resolution on workload issues arising from the new assessment arrangements. It was further agreed to issue a questionnaire to Secondary school representatives on approaches to final presentation decisions, after the October break.

(b) Council Motion, 10 March 2017

“That this Council instruct the Executive to call on the Scottish Government to grant an additional in-service training day across all local authorities and sectors by Christmas 2017, to enable teaching staff to better prepare for the

implementation of new or adapted assessment requirements.”

The Committee noted a response from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills declining for the time being the EIS request for an additional in-service day for schools to focus on assessment. It was agreed that the General Secretary would write further in this regard

(ii) National Improvement Framework:

(a) Showcase of Scottish National Standardised Assessment (SNSA), Strategy Group 29 June. The General Secretary provided an update from the presentation of the beta version of the SNSAs. Scottish Government has reiterated the diagnostic purpose of the assessments and that the relatively small amount of assessment evidence generated will sit alongside a much more extensive range of evidence gathered from other learning activities, to inform planning of learning and teaching, and teacher professional judgement around achievement of CfE levels. The SG expectation is that the SNSAs will replace all other standardised assessments currently being used by local authorities. The Committee received copies of correspondence between the General Secretary and SG regarding the nature of the language being used to report pupil outcomes eg. ‘High’, ‘Middle’, ‘Low’, which the EIS deems to be inappropriate for diagnostic assessment that is predictive in nature. Discussion took place surrounding the issue of assessing whole cohorts, over-assessment, workload implications, training and parental reaction. It was clarified that the EIS view remains that all assessment should support learning, should be timed appropriately as determined by teacher professional judgement, and should not be conducted with whole cohorts at once. In relation to training for teachers in the use of SNSAs and the data generated by them, it was noted that these would be delivered by SCHOLAR. The level of need for training would be determined by local authorities and training sessions would be available to teachers in the coming weeks and months. It was agreed that issues regarding time for training and its inclusion within the Working Time Agreements should be raised again with Local Association Secretaries- a memo to be sent to the Executive

Committee to this effect. It was agreed also to continue to remind teachers of the key EIS messages and to reissue practical advice, around assessment and workload.

(b) NIF Quarterly Update for Professional Associations, 23 August. Assistant Secretary Bradley provided a detailed written report of the meeting, the content of which had in the main overlapped with that covered by earlier discussions. It was noted that the Scottish Government had indicated that for this year only, there would be two episodes of sampling of children’s responses to the assessments, one pre- and one post- Christmas, for the purposes of standardisation while allowing for teacher discretion in terms of the timing of SNSAs either earlier in the academic year or later. This will mean that a number of children and young people in each local authority, as identified by Scottish Government, will sit SNSAs twice in the course of this academic session, 16000 children in total across Scotland. It was agreed to continue to reiterate nationally the EIS position around assessment to the Scottish Government and other stakeholders, and to continue to urge caution against the publication of assessment data on a school by school basis.

(c) Gaelic Medium Education: National Standardised Assessment. The Committee approved the Convener as the EIS Representative on the Design Group.

(d) International Education Conference on Improvement. The Scottish Government are hosting a free international conference on improvement and the use of performance information for headteachers and senior leaders from local authorities across Scotland. A question and answer session with ICEA members is part of the programme. The EIS had been invited to attend. The General Secretary and Assistant Secretary would be attending and interest had been received from the Convener, Vice- Convener, N Dasgupta and P McEwan. It was agreed that places would be sought for all listed.

(iii) Insight Project Board. The Committee homologated Derek Thompson continuing as the EIS Representative on the Board. A written report was submitted of the meeting held on 28 August 2017. It was decided to

seek further information in relation to items contained within the report on Tariff Review, National Qualifications and BGE Improvement Tool.

(iv) Home-Start Parliamentary Reception. An invitation to the reception, sponsored by Iain Gray, MSP taking place on 1 November 2017, to find out more about the Home-Start’s Big Hopes Big Future programme had been received. The programme takes a whole family approach to tackling the attainment gap with a focus on the early years and children’s transition to school or nursery. It was agreed that The Ex-President would attend the event on behalf of the EIS.

(v) Consultation on the Supporting Children’s Learning Code of Practice (third edition) and association regulations. The Committee noted the closing date for the Consultation of 12 September and were invited to provide comment to National Officer Jenny Kemp by 5 September for inclusion in the EIS submission. It was decided to seek information signposting amendments to the extensive document for ease of reference.

(vi) New Routes to Teaching. Assistant Secretary Bradley provided a detailed written report of the Scottish Government meeting on new routes into teaching held on 9 May. Key issues highlighted for the Committee were the quality of the experience of the students, their workload and wellbeing, and the implications for schools on the level of support and mentorship required. It was noted that the University of Dundee model had since been accredited by the GTCS for a 2 year pilot. Recruitment and retention would continue to be raised through a range of fora with a view to tackling the ongoing issue. It was agreed to contact Local Association Secretaries within the Dundee partnership to seek feedback on student workload and wellbeing, and the consequential impact on schools. The Convener reported that an announcement of a further scheme would be made at the Strategic Board on 11th September. Measures would be taken to ensure EIS representation at the meeting. It was further agreed that the General Secretary would write to the University Deans outlining the EIS position with regards to fast-track routes into the profession ahead of the issue of the Scottish Government tender for new approaches to Initial Teacher Education (ITE). The matter would also be raised as an agenda item at the forthcoming senior team liaison meeting with the GTCS.

(vii) Consultation on Registration of Independent Schools (Prescribed Person)(Scotland) Regulations 2017. The EIS submission to the Consultation was noted.

(viii) Provision of Religious Observance in Scottish Schools – Guidance for Scottish Schools. Following Scottish Government consultation, the Committee noted a copy of the new guidance. It was reported that it appeared to have been a tokenistic consultation with minimal changes to the guidance, which was viewed as disappointing.

(ix) The Right Help at the Right Time in the Right Place: Scotland’s Ten Year Strategy for the learning Provision for Children and Young People with Complex Additional Support Needs 2017-2026. A copy of the EIS response to the Consultation was noted for information.

(b) General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS):

(i) Professional Learning Steering Group. The Committee homologated the Convener as the EIS Representative on the Group.

(ii) Professional Learning Awards. GTC Scotland are hosting an event on 21 September 2017 to recognise and celebrate the impact of teacher professional learning and leadership of learning. The Committee homologated a sponsorship package of £1,000 which included an opportunity to promote EIS CPD Learning and, approved the President and the Convener, to attend the reception.

(iii) Professional Standards meeting 19 June 2017. Assistant Secretary Bradley reported on the meeting during which a considerable volume of issues was discussed at considerable speed. A series of 5 workshops were undertaken on the following topics – COPAC and the Professional Values; Standards as Benchmarks; Standards for Registration and Early Career; Career Long Professional learning and Maximising Involvement. An invitation had been received to attend a further half day session on COPAC and Professional Values. It was agreed in principle to participate and to seek information on the precise detail of the session before deciding on appropriate representation.

(c) International Summit on the Teaching Profession. The General Secretary reported on the event which took place on 29-31 March 2017. It had been a successful event with

a well-attended TeachMeet hosted by the EIS and GTCS, including various international speakers, with filmed presentations now available on the EIS website. At the conclusion of the Conference the following bullet points were agreed for action by EIS, SSTA and Scottish Government: to jointly develop a programme for professional association led equity-related professional learning, including impact and evaluation; to jointly consider ways of facilitating and incentivising deep professional learning; and to jointly consider career pathways that reflect a range of options for teachers including increased collaboration, leadership development and strengthening the centre. It was decided that CPD Sub Committee should consider training needs with regards to the impact of poverty on learning agenda. It was further decided to memo the Equality Committee to consider how Equality Representatives may be involved in delivering training in this area.

(d) Scottish College for Educational Leadership (SCEL):

(i) SCEL Stakeholder Forum meeting 10 May. A written report from the Vice-Convener was noted. SCEL had given an update providing a summary of key developments, namely, the Framework for Educational Leadership; early learning and HT professional learning; endorsement processes; and the ‘Into Headship’ programme. Feedback was requested on any gaps that were to be addressed in terms of programmes. Fearghal Kelly had presented around the Teacher Leadership Programme with a request for feedback on how the EIS could support the programme and other potential partnerships to support the growth of teacher leaders. It was agreed to publicise SCEL activities through the normal channels.

(e) CPD:

(i) Research Network Meeting: Research – Refine – Resist: Unions on the move 31 May – 1 June. Assistant Secretary Bradley and Professional Learning Co-ordinator – L Walker, attended the Research Network which the Committee homologated. A written report from the PL Co-ordinator was circulated which highlighted the vast variety of ways research is being delivered. A useful presentation from Howard Stevenson on his report ‘Organising teachers: Developing the power of the profession’ which highlighted seven challenges for teacher union renewal. It was agreed that a copy of the report would be copied to the CPD Sub-Committee for information.

(ii) CPD Sub Committee. The Committee noted the provisions to co-opt to the Sub-Committee, one Learning Representative from the Further Education sector together with up to two additional Learning Representatives. The Committee considered supporting statements from 5 Learning Representatives seeking co-option to the CPD Sub Committee. It was decided to co-opt Karen Farrell and Robert MacKay. The Committee wished to thank Jim Moore and Jayne Rowe for their contributions to the Sub-Committee. It was further agreed to liaise with FELA to continue to seek a Learning Representative from the FE Sector.

(iii) EIS Action Research Grants. An interim report on the pilot initiative was tabled for the Committee’s consideration. A series of recommendations for refinement of the initiative were approved. Subscription to CARN monthly magazine was also approved. Consideration was also given to the recommendation around the quality assurance that would underpin final payment and dissemination arrangements. Following discussion it was decided to give further consideration to the recommendation at a future meeting.

(f) Scotland Policy Conference Keynote Seminar – Next Steps for apprenticeships and skills development in Scotland, 6 December. Information on the Conference Seminar was circulated to members of the Committee. Delegates would consider next steps for promoting vocational education pathways for young people – looking particularly at careers advice and pursuing parity of esteem between vocational and academic qualification. Interest was noted from the Vice-Convener and the Committee approved her attendance at the seminar.

(g) ASN provision in education: Priorities, Potential and the Ten-Year Strategy, 31 October. The Committee noted that details of the event had been circulated to the ASN Network as the date had clashed with a future Education Committee meeting. The event would explore the impact of current legislation and policy on the lives of those with ASN as well as priorities going forward. The Committee noted interest had been received from C Lloyd and J Thomson and attendance of both members at the event was approved.

(h) Education Conference 2017/18. Consideration was given to a future EIS Education Conference. It was agreed to consult with Executive Committee around the calendar before timetabling the conference and to provide a starter

paper considering the theme and possible structure of the conference for the next meeting of the Education Committee.

(3) SPONORSHIP OF THE ARTS

(a) The Committee homologated support for funding of the following applications the remaining 2016-17 budget:

(i) Govanhill Baths, £1,000 (ii) Children’s Classic Concerts, £1,240.

(b) The Committee considered applications for funding from the 2017-18 budget and it was decided to support the following organisations:

(i) Scottish Chamber Orchestra, £1,500 (ii) Traverse Theatre (Scotland) Ltd, £500 (iii) Cheviot Youth, £600 (iv) Royal Scottish National Orchestra, £2,000 (v) Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, £500 (vi) Arbroath & District Musical, £500 (vii) Scottish Opera, £1,000 (viii) Licketyspit, £500 (ix) Cutting Edge Theatre Ltd, £500.

(4) OUTSIDE BODIES

(a) Children in Scotland:

(i) Children’s Sector Strategic and Policy Forum. Assistant Secretary Bradley reported on the meeting held on 23 May. The Group had recently been convened and EIS participation had been confirmed. It was reported that the meeting had been a poor use of time, overall, there having been no firm outcomes from what had been a meeting largely of representatives of voluntary sector organisations, each of which has a different agenda. The Vice-Convener reported on a further meeting held on 22 August, attended by the Cabinet Secretary at which issues related to Governance were discussed. A briefing paper on the CiS response to the Governance Review was provided for comment. EIS responded that they were not in a position to comment. Following discussion around the practicalities and purpose of Children in Scotland events and meetings, it was agreed to consider participation and attendance at future events based on individual content.

(ii) Conference: the role of food in addressing wellbeing, learning and attainment, 1 June. The Committee

noted a written report from National Officer Jenny Kemp. It was reported that it had been a disappointing conference which had not focused sharply enough on the theme of attainment, as had been marketed. It was agreed to be more mindful of the content of external events prior to arranging attendance.

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS MATTERS

7. Arising from meeting of the Employment Relations Committee held on 14 June 2017, Council took the following decisions:

(1) Benevolence:

(a) The excerpt from the meeting on 14 June 2017 was approved as a correct record.

(b) Investment Monitoring – Standard Life Wealth: The Committee noted the investment monitoring report submitted by Standard Life Wealth for the Quarter to 30 June 2017. The report indicated a positive return in the period of £49,200 (1.6%) comprising £22,200 of income paid into the Benevolent Fund plus an increase of £27,200 in the market value of the Fund’s charitable investments held by the company. Investment performance exceeded the benchmark by a margin of 1.0% - the Fund achieved a positive return of 1.6% in comparison to the benchmark of 0.6%.

(c) Donations: The Committee noted a donation from Midlothian Local Association and a donation from a retired member for a diary he received.

(d) Correspondence: Correspondent from a recipient of a grant was noted.

(e) Benevolent Fund income ceiling: It was agreed to increase the income ceiling to £8,000 from £7,500 in the case of the first 2 adults and to £3,500 from £3,000 for any subsequent dependents.

(f) Maximum Grant: The Committee agreed that the maximum grant would remain at £2,500 and would be reviewed again in August 2018.

(g) Applications for Assistance: Consideration was given to 15 applications. 4 grants from the Benevolent Fund which were authorised by the Convener and the Accountant were homologated. The Committee authorised 12 grants and required further information on another application. The Committee declined 1 application.

Benevolent Fund £28,850

(2) Legal Affairs:

(a) GTCS Fitness to Teach: Alastair Milne and Jamie Foulis from Balfour & Manson were welcomed to the meeting and they provided an update on the changes to the GTCS Fitness to Teach Rules.

(b) The Minute of the meeting on 14 June 2017 was approved as a correct record.

(d) It was noted that settlements amounting to £91,415 had been secured on behalf of 8 members.

(e) Employment Tribunal Fees: The Committee noted with interest that UNISON had been successful at the Supreme Court in arguing that the introduction of fees for Employment Tribunals had been illegal since it prevented many workers from gaining justice at work. As a result of this judgement, fees paid by the EIS would be reimbursed.

(f) Maclay Murray & Spens – Developments: The Committee noted that Maclay Murray & Spens had been taken over by the American firm Dentons.

(g) GTCS Fitness to Teacher Seminar – 3 October 2017, 10.00am: The Committee agreed that Assistant Secretary Louise Wilson, National Officer McGinty, David Baxter (Vice- Convener), Area Officer Stuart Brown would attend the seminar.

(3) AGM Resolutions:

(a) A memorandum from Executive on resolutions arising from the 2017 Annual General Meeting was noted.

(b) The Committee agreed the following actions on the following resolutions:

(i) Work-Related Stress

“This AGM calls for diagnosed work-related stress to be recorded and reported upon formally by employers as a discrete reason for absence from work.”

The Committee agreed the terms of the resolution to be referred to Local Association Secretaries.

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(ii) Impact of Mental Health Matters on Education Staff

“This AGM calls on Council to carry out research into the impact of mental health matters on education staff. This research may include consideration of levels of absence, impact of attendance policies on supporting return to work, reasons given for absence, training in this area and around supporting young people with mental health issues. The outcome of research to inform the ongoing campaign in this area.

Further, that this AGM calls on Council to develop a campaign around the impact of mental health matters on the work of education staff, including Local Association Secretaries. The campaign to include consideration of:

(a) the possibility of rolling out Mental Health First Aid for staff training across all Local Associations;

(b) work with Mental Health charities to provide support to individual members and Local Associations;

(c) representation to Scottish Parliament and Local Authorities on the impact of mental health on education and seeking support in this area;

(d) professional learning opportunities for members in supporting young people with mental health issues.”

Following consideration of the resolution the Committee considered there may be aspects of the resolution with an impact on the work of other Committees and, therefore, the Committee agreed to send a memorandum to Executive Committee raising this.

(iii) Zero-Tolerance of Violence in Educational Workplaces: Campaign

“This AGM instructs Council to conduct a major campaign to promote zero tolerance of violence in educational workplaces.”

It was agreed to memo Executive regarding the need to campaign on this issue following consideration of existing policy and materials at the next meeting of the Committee.

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(iv) Physical or Verbal Violence

“This AGM reaffirms its commitment to the right of members:

(a) not to be subjected to physical or verbal violence in the course of their employment, and

(b) to report to employers all such incidents of physical or verbal violence arising in the course of their employment.”

The Committee noted as policy. The terms of the resolution to be referred to Local Association Secretaries and Branch Secretaries. In addition, this policy will be pursued within the campaign to promote zero tolerance of violence in education workplaces.

(v) Asbestos: Campaign

“This AGM instructs Council to actively campaign to ensure all educational establishments are made asbestos free by 2020.”

The Committee decided a paper would be prepared for a future meeting of the Committee. The terms of this resolution

(vi) Defibrillators in Schools

“This AGM agrees that every school and college should be equipped with a defibrillator.”

The Committee noted as policy. The terms of the resolution to be referred to Local Association Secretaries and Branch Secretaries.

(vii) Musculoskeletal Ailments: Teachers of Nursery and Primary Classes

“This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report (through directed survey or other practicable means) on the incidence of musculoskeletal ailments (such as lower back pain and sciatica) among teachers of nursery and primary classes, with a view to ascertaining whether these practitioners face an elevated occupational health risk of contracting such ailments (through more frequent bending, sitting on low chairs or the floor, etc.) and also whether appropriate adjustments are being made by

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employers to accommodate the occupational health needs of sufferers from these ailments.”

It was agreed to prepare a paper for a future meeting.

(viii) GTCS Review: Correspondence Issues to Members

“This AGM instructs Council to work with the GTC to review the nature of correspondence issued to members regarding impending investigations, arising from complaints made against teachers.”

It was agreed liaise with Balfour and Manson to respond to the GTCS consultation on the correspondence issued under the Fitness to Teach Rules 2017. It was further agreed to raise this issue with the GTCS direct. In addition, it was decided to communicate with members on the GTCS Fitness to Teach process through relevant media.

(ix) GTCS: Professional Guidance on the Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media

“This AGM instructs Council to raise the profile of ‘Professional Guidance on the Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media’ from GTCS, in view of its significance to all teachers.”

The Committee agreed the extant EIS policy paper and advice to members to be considered at a future meeting of the Committee.

(x) Social Media

“This AGM instructs Council to initiate a national campaign highlighting the negative impact on home/ school relationships of the posting of inappropriate comments on Social Media by parents/carers.”

Following consideration of this resolution it was agreed to send a memorandum to Executive Committee to explain the Committee’s difficulty in providing information to assist with this resolution.

EQUALITY MATTERS

8. Arising from a meeting of the Equality Committee held on 1 September 2017, Council took the following decisions:

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(1) AGM 2017:

(a) Resolutions: After a discussion by the Committee the Resolutions were distributed as follows: Poverty Working Group

Impact of Poverty: Children’s and Young People’s Educational Experience Impact of Poverty on a Child’s Educational Progress EIS ‘Poverty-Proofing’ Award

Gender Issues Working Group

Provision of Free Sanitary Products

Anti-Racist Sub Committee

Islamophobia: EIS Advice Racism and Islamophobia: EIS Survey Anti-Racist Education

LGBT Network

LGBT Specific Training

Equality Committee

Equality Legislation Training

The summary of proposed actions was agreed by the Committee; and it was noted that it would be useful to share information pertaining to the poverty campaign with parents’ advocacy organisations.

(2) Children in Scotland Conference: The role of food in addressing wellbeing, learning and attainment: A written report from National Officer Jenny Kemp was noted by the Committee. National Officer Kemp highlighted that there was a high number of speakers at the conference, but this in turn gave little time for effective discussion afterwards. It was agreed to give careful consideration to future invitations from Children in Scotland.

(3) Impact of Poverty in Education Campaign:

(a) Poverty Working Group 2017/2018: J Hutchinson, D Ross, D Smith and C Thorpe were appointed to the Group.

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(b) Face Up to Child Poverty: Survey Session 2016/2017:

(i) A finalised booklet detailing the results of the survey was noted by the Committee. The Committee agreed to send the booklet to parent groups.

(ii) A Parliamentary Motion lodged by Pauline McNeill MSP: EIS Reports Rise in Children Attending School Hungry Due to Increasing Levels of Poverty, was noted by the Committee. The Committee agreed to contact the parliamentary office of Pauline McNeill for further information and an update on any progress regarding the motion. It was suggested that Committee Members lobby their local MSP’s to support this motion.

(c) Challenge Poverty Week, 15-21 October 2017. A written report from Organiser Dee Matthews of a meeting held on 26 April 2017 was noted by the Committee. Assistant Secretary Andrea Bradley highlighted that the meeting had been intended to coordinate action around ‘Challenge Poverty Week’, 15-21 October 2017. Assistant Secretary Bradley reported that this week falls during several authorities’ October holidays which makes it impractical to stage an event. An alternative approach was proposed, in the form of garnering press attention through an effective social media campaign, and the Committee agreed to this suggestion. It was agreed that the focus of communications during Challenge Poverty Week be on holiday hunger and could highlight free school meal entitlement to align with the relevant AGM resolution.

(d) Welfare in Scotland’s schools: a key piece of the attainment jigsaw, 24 May 2017. A written report from Assistant Secretary Andrea Bradley was noted by the Committee. It was agreed by the Committee that this would be forwarded to the Poverty Working Group for consideration.

(e) Review of the Life Chances of Young People in Scotland: Lecture by Naomi Eisenstadt. University of Glasgow, 3 July 2017. A written report from Assistant Secretary Andrea Bradley was noted by the Committee. The Committee agreed to send a memo to National Officer Keenan highlighting that this may be of interest to the FELA Executive Committee, given the emphasis on poverty amongst young people aged 16-25.

(4) Gender Issues:

(a) Gender Issues Working Group: S Burns, T Connolly, P Currie and D Ross were appointed to the Group after a ballot was held.

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(b) STUC Women’s Conference, 30-31 October 2017:

(i) The Committee noted that motions on ‘Gender Pay Equality’ and ‘Period Products’ had been submitted to STUC.

(ii) The Committee agreed to a full-page advert in the STUC Women’s Conference Programme at a cost of £160.00.

(iii) The Committee agreed to a sponsorship of a ‘Unions into Schools’ Lunch at a cost of £200.00.

(i) A written report of the meeting held on 22 August 2017 from Assistant Secretary Andrea Bradley was noted by the Committee. It was agreed by the Committee to memo the Organisation department to ask them to request that Council Members contribute to a collection of sanitary products at the next Council Meeting.

(ii) The Committee agreed to calendar sponsorship at a cost of £100.00. It was suggested that EIS archive images be sourced for this if possible.

(d) International Women’s Day postcard campaign: An article from the SEJ, April 2017 was noted by the Committee for information. The Committee considered potential themes for International Women’s Day 8 March 2018. The themes discussed included ‘Period Poverty’ and ‘Older Women in the Workplace’. It was noted that a social event was being planned by the STUC Women’s Committee to celebrate women in the trade union movement. The Committee explored the possibility of hosting an EIS event that incorporated performances from our members, e.g. poetry, song or writing. The Committee agreed that the Gender Issues Working Group would give this further consideration.

(e) Period Poverty: Cost and Availability of Sanitary Provision. National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report which provided a background for members regarding the current activity surrounding Period Poverty. National Officer Kemp highlighted that the issue is on the public policy agenda and that the Member’s Bill proposal put forward by Monica Lennon MSP is generating high levels of interest. The Committee agreed that this proposal is to be forwarded to the Gender Issues Working Group for consideration and development of an EIS response. National Officer Kemp

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also informed the Committee that letters had been issued to local authorities and colleges enquiring into what provisions they make for distributing sanitary products, how they are dispensed and how widely the available products are to both staff and students, as per the AGM resolution on this matter. The Committee noted that so far 31 responses to the initial correspondence have been received. The Committee agreed to give the issue further consideration, with a full report to be available at the next Equality Committee Meeting.

(f) Remembering Mary Barbour Campaign: Memorial statue. National Officer Jenny Kemp reported that the memorial statue is due to be unveiled in Govan on the morning of Friday 17 November 2017. The Committee noted that the EIS is awaiting a formal invitation and agreed that EIS presence at the unveiling will be determined once an invitation has been received.

(5) Anti Racist Issues:

(a) Update on Anti-Racist Sub Committee 2017/2018. N Dasgupta, D Ross, S Shah and E Swinley were appointed to the Sub Committee. The Committee noted that an election had recently taken place among the BME membership and that Mary Osei-Oppong and Jaqueline Fitzpatrick would be joining the Sub Committee. The Committee extended its thanks to the outgoing elected members of the Sub Committee who had demitted office for personal reasons.

(b) AGM Resolutions 2015:

(i) Rights of Pupils in a Scottish School: Welcome Pack

“This AGM requests that the EIS produce a ‘Welcome Pack’ to be given to young people who are newly arrived in Scotland which advises them of their rights as pupils/students in a Scottish school, college or university and presents a positive and welcoming picture of Scotland as a nation.”

(a) A draft welcome pack was noted by the Committee. After a lengthy discussion about the logistics of fulfilling the terms of this resolution it was agreed to adapt the welcome pack to suit the needs of different age groups. The Committee gave powers to finalise the content of the welcome packs to the Convener and Vice- Convener).

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(b) A written report from National Officer Jenny Kemp was noted by the Committee. The Committee noted that an information pack alone would not suffice with regards to welcoming newly arrived children. The Committee agreed to seek the Executive’s view on proposed spend, under Rule 13 and noted that the proposed spend on additional items such as pens, pencils etc. is around £3,000. It was suggested that a universal pack to cover all ages should be considered. Powers to decide the final content of packs were granted to the Convener and Vice- Convener.

The financial implications for the Institute, under Rule XIII, for the £3,000 cost of ‘Welcome Packs’ for Young People newly arrived in Scotland and entering School, College or University in Scotland was approved.

(i) The Committee agreed to nominate Khadija Mohammed as the EIS Representative on the Black Workers’ Committee.

(d) STUC Black Workers’ Conference, 7-8 October 2017:

(i) The Committee agreed to nominate D Annamalai, A Ebead, B Faturoti, K Mohammed, M Osei-Oppong, S Shah and K Stewart as delegates. The Committee noted that it was encouraging to see so many newly active members as delegates.

(e) Show Racism the Red Card:

(i) Assistant Secretary Andrea Bradley delivered an oral report on the Scottish Advisory Committee meeting held on 31 August 2017, which had considered the precarious funding position of SRTRC. It was noted by the Committee that the EIS would exercise a degree of caution with regard to publicising the forthcoming ‘Wear Red Day’ given its potential to exacerbate challenges around participation in school activities for low income families. The Committee agreed to contact the National Union of Students regarding sessional work opportunities with Show Racism the Red Card.

(f) BME People as Teachers: Teacher Recruitment Campaign. An update on the Scottish Government’s marketing campaign pertaining to teaching, which had thus far failed

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to represent people from BME backgrounds, was provided by National Officer Jenny Kemp and noted by the Committee. The Committee decided to contact Local Associations to seek members to volunteer as case studies.

(g) Meeting with Kaliani Lyle, 27 March 2017. National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report on the meeting held on 27 March 2017 with the Race Equality Adviser to the Scottish Government. Productive discussions on the need for concrete actions linked to the Race Equality Framework had been held. It was agreed by the Committee to consider Kaliani Lyle as a guest speaker at a future Equality Committee Meeting.

(h) Street Harassment of BME Women: Film Screening 26 May 2017. National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report on the short film shown on 26 May 2017. The film is a useful resource and could be used for anti-racist/anti- Islamophobic education. The Committee agreed that once the film is made available that members should be encouraged to use it.

(6) LGBT ISSUES

(a) AGM Resolution 2015: Homophobia and Transphobia in Education

‘That this AGM resolves to undertake and report on a survey of all EIS members on teachers’ and lecturers’ direct or indirect experiences of homophobia and transphobia in education.’

Report. National Officer Jenny Kemp gave an oral update on the report of survey findings, which requires minor amendments to reflect the AGM decision to affiliate to the TIE campaign. The booklet is intended to be presented in the same manner as previous EIS Equality Department publications and design work is underway. The report is to be published online initially and the LGBT Informal Network asked to advise on dissemination. The Committee noted this report.

(b) LGBT Network:

(i) National Officer Jenny Kemp gave an oral update in which it was confirmed that Dawn Wilson will be taking over the role of Convenor of the LGBT Informal Network. The Committee thanked Pam Currie for her contributions as Convenor and for her involvement with the Network. It was noted by the Committee that National Officer Kemp and Equality Committee Convener Bill Ramsay would meet with the new

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Convener shortly to discuss how the Network can move forward.

(c) STUC LGBT Workers’ Conference, 20-21 May 2017: The sponsorship of refreshments was homologated by the Committee at a cost of £474.60.

(d) Pride 2017:

(i) Homologation of cost involved in events:

(a) The purchase of an LGBT banner was homologated by the Committee at a cost of £94.17.

(b) The purchase of LGBT Network T-Shirts was homologated by the Committee at a cost of £192.00.

(e) LGBTI Inclusive Education Working Group: National Officer Jenny Kemp gave an oral report of meetings held on 9 May 2017, 20 June 2017 and 17 August 2017. The Committee agreed that these issues would be considered by the LGBT Network.

(7) DISABILITY

(a) AGM Resolution 2016: Reasonable Adjustments: Investigation and Guidance.

‘That this AGM Instruct Council to:

(a) investigate the types of “reasonable adjustments” which have been requested from each Local Authority, together with the decisions taken and the reasoning behind the decisions;

(b) issue guidance to members and representatives on the legal aspects of requesting “reasonable adjustments”.

Draft Guidance. The draft guidance was noted by the Committee. National Officer Kemp highlighted that the guidance had been shared with colleagues in Employment Relations and with the EIS Disabled Workers’ Committee Representative, and that legal opinion on the guidance had also been secured. The Committee agreed that any comments should be forwarded to National Officer Jenny Kemp by 8 September 2017. Powers to finalise the guidance were granted to the Convener and Vice-Convener.

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(b) STUC Disabled Workers’ Conference, 18-19 November 2017:

(i) The Committee agreed to process delegates for attendance at the 2017 Conference in the usual manner.

(c) STUC Disabled Workers’ Committee: It was agreed to nominate Julie Ferguson as the EIS representative on this committee.

SALARIES MATTERS

9. Arising from a meeting of the Salaries Committee held on 23 March 2017 Council took the following decisions:

(1) AGM Resolutions:

(a) The Committee agreed the following actions on these resolutions:

(i) Review of Current Attendance Monitoring Procedures from Staff Absences in Schools

“This AGM requests Council to review current Attendance Monitoring procedures for staff absences in schools and colleges.”

The Committee noted that a report on extant arrangements will be provided at the next meeting of the Committee for consideration.

(ii) Conditions of Service Handbook: Sickness Allowance

“This AGM calls on the SNCT to add relevant wording in part 2 section 6 of the handbook of Conditions of Service to recognise that teachers suffering from cancer should have the same sickness allowance as someone suffering from respiratory tuberculosis.”

The Committee it was agreed refer this resolution to the EIS representatives on the Teachers’ Panel of the SNCT to action.

(iii) Absence Review Procedures: one-off Surgical Procedures

“This AGM instructs Council to provide advice to Local Association Secretaries and Branch Secretaries to assist in seeking improvements to absence review

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procedures to ensure that one-off surgical procedures would be given special exemption.”

It was agreed that a paper which considers this resolution and the resolution regarding ME/CFS, see below, should be provided for consideration at a future meeting of the Committee.

(iv) Absence Review Procedures: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS)

“This AGM instructs Council to provide advice to Local Association Secretaries and Branch Secretaries to assist in seeking improvements to absence review policies for teachers suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS).”

It was agreed that a paper which considers this resolution and the resolution regarding surgical procedures, see above, should be provided for consideration at a future meeting of the Committee.

(v) Accelerated Incremental Progression: Review

“This AGM calls for a review of ‘Accelerated Incremental Progression’ by the SNCT and for the SNCT to produce guidance to inform consistency and to exemplify best practice.”

It was agreed to refer this resolution to EIS representatives on the Teachers’ Panel of the SNCT to action.

(vi) Temporary and Fixed-Term Contracts

“This AGM instructs Council to investigate the use of temporary and fixed-term contracts and report on patterns of use. Furthermore, EIS, through agreed processes, should liaise with Authorities to ensure that teachers are offered permanent contracts after periods of temporary/fixed term contracts in line with the provisions of current employment law.”

The Committee agreed to write to Local Association Secretaries and Branch Secretaries in the first instance requesting copies of policies and procedures.

(vii) SNCT Handbook: Family Leave

“This AGM instructs the EIS to negotiate the removal of the phrase ‘these must be consecutive’ from

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paragraph 7.6.9 of the SNCT Handbook Part 2: Section 7 - Family Leave.”

It was agreed to refer this resolution to the EIS representatives on the Teachers’ Panel of the SNCT to action.

(viii) Reduction of Maximum Class Contact Time

“This AGM instructs Council to campaign to reduce the maximum class contact time to the OECD average of 17.5 hours”.

This was noted as now being policy and it was agreed refer this resolution back to Executive Committee for campaign development.

(ix) A Teaching Profession from the 21st Century: Campaign

“This AGM instructs Council to initiate, develop and implement a campaign with the aim of restoring members’ pay, in real terms, to that established by ‘A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century’ for next year’s pay negotiations. As part of this campaign, that this AGM instruct Council to issue information to members on how far members’ salaries have declined, in real terms, since implementation of ‘A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century’.”

It was agreed to provide advice and information to Executive Committee to support the 2018/2019 pay campaign.

(x) Restoration of Salaries to the Value of the McCrone Settlement: Campaign

“This AGM instructs Council to prepare a campaign to restore salaries to the values of the McCrone settlement, based on inflation figures, and to negotiate on this basis for next year’s pay settlement. Failure to reach agreement would result in a ballot of members, to begin a campaign of industrial action including strike action, from the start of the academic year in 2018-19.”

It was agreed to provide advice and information to Executive Committee to support the 2018/2019 pay campaign.

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(xi) NPA 60 to NP 65-88: Campaign

“This AGM reaffirms its opposition to the conscription of members from NPA 60 to NPA 65-68, expresses its disappointment at the lack of progress in the present negotiations on early retirement for those conscripted from NPA 60 to NPA 65-68, and instruct Council to campaign for a satisfactory outcome to the present negotiations on early retirement for those conscripted from NPA 60 to NPA 65-68.”

It was agreed to consider this further at the next meeting of the Committee.

(xii) SNCT Handbook: Practical Subjects

“This AGM calls for a review and update to the list of practical subjects in the SNCT handbook in light of new qualifications being offered by SQA in Scottish secondary schools.”

It was agreed to refer this resolution to the EIS representatives on the Teachers’ Panel of the SNCT to action.

(xiii) School Finance Committee

“This AGM calls for there to be a school finance committee in each school to oversee devolved school budgets, including direct funding and Attainment Challenge/Pupil Equity Fund monies, and that such committees include staff and trade union representation. That the AGM further resolve to organise training for EIS reps in how to scrutinise school finances.”

The Committee noted the terms of the resolution and agreed to await further communication from Executive Committee.

(xiv) Named Person: Administrative Support (2017 AGM)

“This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report on the administrative support provided to promoted and unpromoted EIS members acting as a Named Person.”

It was agreed to await developments from the Scottish Government before taking this resolution

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forward. It was noted that the resolution from 2016 AGM, see below, was still to be progressed and that both resolutions would be taken forward as soon as possible and in unison.

(xv) Named Person (2016 AGM)

“This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report on the workload, contractual and legal implications arising from the role of the Named Person and how this role can be achieved within a 35 hour Working Week and 195-day Working Year. This report should provide information and advice to promoted and unpromoted members on the Named Person role and should indicate members’ legal and contractual responsibilities.”

It was agreed to await developments from the Scottish Government before taking this resolution forward. It was noted that this resolution and the resolution from 2017 AGM, see above, would be taken forward as soon as possible and in unison.

(2) Pensions:

(a) Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme Board – Nomination of new members: It was agreed that the new members of the Pensions Board would be Drew Morrice and National Officer Dave McGinty.

(b) Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme Advisory Board - Nomination of new members: It was agreed the new members of the Scheme Advisory Board would be Helen Connor (Convener), Jayne Rowe (Vice-Convener), and Ricky Cullen.

(3) Scotland’s Teachers: Working Conditions and Wellbeing Research Report:

(a) The Committee noted the report and discussed the issues of concern which have been substantiated by the findings of the research team. It was agreed that this report should be used to support pay campaigning and that it should be recommended to Executive Committee.

10. Arising from a special meeting of the Salaries Committee held on 19 September 2017 Council took the following decisions:

(1) SNCT Negotiations: The Convener, Helen Connor, provided an oral update following a Special Salaries Committee meeting which took place on 19 September 2017 to consider

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developments within the SNCT negotiations for this year’s pay settlement. It was noted that no new formal offer had been tabled and that COSLA’s leaders group was due to meet today, 29 September 2017. It was further noted that an improvement from 1% to 1.5% for the top of the main-grade pay scale, where the majority of teachers sit, had been floated for consideration; this would be alongside 1% or £350, whichever is the greater, for all other pay points along with a commitment to restore the rate of payment for short-term supply teachers to the appropriate grade. In addition, there would be a review of career pathways beyond point 6 of the teachers’ pay scale.

The Convener reported that, notwithstanding the lack of a formal offer, the Salaries Committee had decided by a majority that it wished to settle this year’s claim if a formal offer as set out above were to be lodged, but that it sought the opinion of Council.

Following lengthy discussion, Council indicated its opposition, by a large majority, to the desire of Salaries Committee to accept any formal offer as that set out by the Convener.

11. GUEST SPEAKER: Dr Carol Campbell, Associate Professor of Leadership & Educational Change, University of Toronto delivered a presentation on Teacher Unions and Professional Learning: reflections on partnership working with the Canadian Teachers’ Association and Government, in the design and delivery of professional learning.

12. COUNCIL REPORT TO AGM: The draft Committee reports were approved and powers were granted to amend the reports for consistency and to take account of decisions taken at this meeting of Council.

13. MOTIONS

(1) Education International: Donation to Support Teacher Colleagues in Yemen:

The following motion in the name of Andrew O’Halloran, Dumfries & Galloway Local Association was carried:

“That this Council resolve to donate £1,600 to Education International to help support teacher colleagues in Yemen.”

(2) Message of Support: Esmail Abdi, General Secretary of the Tehran Teacher Trade Association:

The following motion in the name of Andrew O’Halloran, Dumfries & Galloway Local Association was carried: "That this Council resolve that the EIS should send a public message of support to Esmail Abdi, General Secretary of the

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Tehran Teacher Trade Association, who remains imprisoned for trades union activism in Iran."

(3) Pupil Equity Funding:

The following motion in the name of David Farmer, Fife Local Association was carried:

"That this Council resolve to investigate and report on the current use of school committees, with trade union participation, which monitor the deployment of Pupil Equity Funding."

(4) School Governance: Regional Partnership and Cooperative Working:

The following motion in the name of David Farmer, Fife Local Association was carried:

“That this Council investigate and report on the current position of all Scottish Local Authorities on regional partnership and cooperative working in relation to school governance.”

(5) UNISON: Pay Up Now March & Rally, 7 October 2017, Edinburgh:

The following motion in the name of Donny Gluckstein, EIS-FELA was carried: “That this Council note:

(1) the significant decline in the value of public sector pay as a result of the UK and Scottish governments’ pay caps;

(2) the 7 October march and rally in Edinburgh against the pay cap called by Unison. Council resolves for the EIS to participate in the march, to publicise it and encourage members to join the march.”

14. APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS 2017/18:

(1) Vacancies:

(a) 1. Scottish Centres (Scottish Environmental and Outdoor Education Centres) – 1 Vacancy 2. Scottish Council on Deafness – 1 Vacancy

It was noted that no nominations had been received. It was agreed to refer this item to the Executive Committee.

15. BOARD OF EXAMINERS:

(1) Two vacancies on the Board of Examiners, Group 3:

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Group 3: Argyll & Bute, Dumfries & Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, Western Isles.

It was noted that no nominations had been received. It was agreed to refer this item to the next meeting of Council.

16. EIS STAFF SUPERANNUATION SCHEME – TRUSTEE VACANCY

(1) One Vacancy for a Council member to act as a Trustee to the EIS Superannuation Scheme.

Tom Britton was approved as the Council nominee.

17. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 24 November 2017.

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MEETING OF COUNCIL 24 NOVEMBER 2017

Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on 24 November 2017 at 10.00 am in the Hilton Grosvenor Hotel, Edinburgh.

1. SEDERUNT: President, Vice-President, Ex-President, General Secretary, Accountant, Assistant Secretaries Belsey, Bradley and Wilson; Officers Brown, Fallow, Flanagan, Franchetti, Gray, McCrossan, McGinty and Scott; A Bamford, D Baxter, M Bayliss, A Bell, T Britton, P Burke, E Burns, S Burns, F Carey, J Chrystal, N Cimini, H Collie, T Connolly, H Connor, R Constable, A Crosbie, R Cullen, P Currie, N Dasgupta, S Davidson, M Delargy, P Dixon, M Dolan, M Dunn, D Farmer, K Fella, C Finlay, A Fullwood, R Fyfe, A Gardiner, G Gillan, A Gillespie, J Gillespie, S Gillespie, L Glen, D Gluckstein, J Gourley, P Gower, A Guy, W Hamilton, J Hill, A Howie, H Hughes, G Hunter, V Inkster, B Mackay, G Jarvie, S Kelly, D Kenny, H Kilgour, S Kordiak, G Laird, P Laverie, A Mackenzie, P Manley, A McAuley, K McCalman, K McClelland, A McClure, M McCrossan, J McCusker, J McDaid, D McDonough, P McEwan, J McKeown, J McNair, J Miller, D Morris, T Munro, A O’Halloran, A Palmer, P Pearce, S Quinn, B Ramsay, M Rideout, C Ritchie, G Roberts, S Rooney, D Ross, I Ross, J Rowe, A Skillen, S Slater, David Smith, G Smith, D Smithyman, P Stewart, A Sutcliffe, S Talboys, S Thomson, C Thorpe, S Tillman, N Watt, J Welsh, C Weston, P Wishart, C Yates, I Young.

Apologies: Officers Buchanan, Keenan and Kemp; N Anderson, M Bell, J Black, M Callaghan, A Cheyne, J Gow, F Gray, J Hutchinson, E Imlah, J Kelly, E Leitch, L McBride, C McCombie, J McIntyre, A Murphy, S Peter, J Pringle, I Scott, L Steele, E Swinley.

Resignations: A Carr, S Shah, D Thompson.

2. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 29 September 2017 were noted.

EXECUTIVE MATTERS

3. Arising from meeting of the Executive Committee held on 10 November 2017 Council took the following decisions:

(1) FINANCE AND ORGANISATION

NB Updates decided on by Executive Committee are marked by an *.

(a) Investments:

(i) Staffing - Independent Schools Officer: The Sub- Committee was circulated with correspondence from

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the Independent Schools Officer which stated that she was suffering from a recurrence of her medical condition and that her doctor was concerned a return to her present remit would have a further negative impact on her health. The correspondence concluded by asking the Institute to consider entering into a settlement agreement to terminate her employment.

The Sub-Committee decided that the Institute should seek a settlement agreement with the Independent Schools Officer and determined the negotiating framework for Officials.

(ii) Charles Stanley & Co – Report to 28 September 2017: The report for the Quarter to 28 September 2017 was noted. The report revealed that there had been a positive return of £30,100 (1.39%) in regard to the company’s Political Fund investments which comprised £32,300 of dividend income received and paid over to the Institute, less a decrease of £2,200 in their market value. The General Sterling Fund investments achieved a positive return of £19,200 (0.39%) with £63,500 of income and a £44,300 drop in market value. Finally, the Professional Sterling Fund also had a positive return of £24,400 (0.43%) comprising £67,700 of income and a fall of £43,300 in market value.

(iii) Charles Stanley & Co Investment Performance Monitoring: The Sub-Committee noted a report which detailed the investment performance of Charles Stanley for the Quarter to 28 September 2017. Performance for the Quarter exceeded the appropriate benchmark for the Political Fund by a margin of 0.9%, and fell below benchmark by approximately 0.1% in the other two Funds. The overall weighted return for the Quarter exceeded the composite index benchmark by £9,000.

(iv) Fossil Fuels: The Sub-Committee approved the report on the remitted AGM motion to Executive Committee and decided that, in the event of Council taking the decision to progress the motion, it would recommend that consideration be given to a phased approach to disinvestment from fossil fuels and that initially this be applied to the Institute’s directly owned investments. The Sub-Committee also recommended that the disinvestment timescale be extended beyond June 2019 and that the process be kept under continuous review with specialist investment advice being sought where required.

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* Following lengthy debate, the following proposal, moved by Helen Connor and seconded by David Baxter was carried by 12 votes to 9 votes: “to take no action on the motion”. Dissent was recorded on behalf of Allan Crosbie and 5 others.

(a) The following proposed amendment to the minute in the name of Allan Crosbie was considered:

Page 2 (c) Fossil Fuels (last paragraph)

Amend to read “That this Council disapprove the decision to take no action on the motion and resolve to take action in favour of disinvestment from companies directly responsible for the extraction of fossil fuels, and to process this in line with the recommended approach from the Finance Sub Committee, as expressed in the minute (2)(b)(i)(c).”

The result of the count was 44 for and 55 against, the proposed amendment fell.

(b) Accounts for Payment – August to September 2017: Authorisation of expenditure was given for the following items:

(a) Purchase Ledger Payments by BACS/Cheque – August to September 2017.

(b) Accounts for Payment – August to September 2017.

(i) Staff Overtime and Temporary Replacements: Authorisation of staff overtime and temporary replacement costs for the months of August to September 2017 was given.

(ii) Independent Schools Officer: The Sub-Committee noted that a settlement agreement had been reached with the Independent Schools Officer which terminated the employment on 6 October 2017.

(iii) Appointments and Resignations:

Appointments

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Natalie Carroll, Administrative Assistant Grade D (Employment Relations) - 11 September 2017

Janice McLeod, Administrative Assistant Grade D (Reception Job Share) - 9 October 2017

Resignations

Colum Bannatyne, Administrative Assistant Grade D (Reception Job Share) - 25 September 2017

Clare Stephen, Independent Schools Officer (0.6FTE) – 6 October 2017

Contract Variation

Patricia Adam, Administrative Assistant Grade C Glasgow Area Office – Reduction in hours from 0.6FTE to 0.4FTE – 1 October 2017.

Pat Fallow, Temporary Area Officer. Contract renewed on expiry of 6-month fixed term on 5 October 2017 with no defined expiry date but will be terminated two months after serving notice by either party.

(d) Institute Properties – Update:

(i) Headquarters – Refurbishment of Basement No. 48 Moray Place: The Sub-Committee was informed that the basement flat had been let to tenants within a week of being placed on the market. The let, which was marketed on a fully furnished basis, is for an eight-month period.

(ii) Glasgow Area Office – Refurbishment of 6 Clairmont Gardens: The Sub-Committee was advised that Glasgow City Council had intimated in a letter to the Architects, Fouin & Bell, dated 6 October its refusal to give listed building planning consent for the proposed internal and external alterations to 6 Clairmont Gardens. The reasons for refusal were given that the proposed platform lift would detrimentally impact upon original features/room proportions, and that partitions proposed at first and third floor levels do not respect the original plan form and layout of the building. The letter further stated that any appeal against the decision of Glasgow City Council to refuse planning consent required to be lodged with the Scottish Ministers within 3 months of 6 October 2017. The Sub-Committee was also circulated with subsequent correspondence between Fouin & Bell and the City Council’s Heritage and Design Department

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and a letter from the General Secretary to the local Glasgow City Councillors. Following discussion, the Sub-Committee decided;

(1) The Institute should lodge an appeal against the decision to refuse planning consent.

(2) That, owing to the urgent nature of the work required, particularly to make the building wind and watertight, to undertake, as soon as practicable, repairs to the building’s roof and cupula at an indicative cost of £75,000.

(3) In light of the possibility of the planning appeal being unsuccessful and the consequent implication of being unable to provide suitable disabled access to the building to resume investigations into possible alternative offices in Glasgow.

(e) * Local Association Subscriptions 2018/19: A paper recommending a 1.0% increase in the local association subscription bandings for 2018/19 was approved.

(f) FELA/ULA Subscriptions: The Sub-Committee gave consideration to a paper which explored the implications of the implementation of a compulsory national FELA/ULA subscription on the Institute’s General Fund, and the impact on local association finances were FELA/ULA members, who currently have the option to pay the appropriate local association subscription but not hold office, vote or otherwise participate, be removed. The Sub- Committee, in discussion, indicated it was minded to support the proposal, and approved the submission of a report to Executive Committee.

* It was agreed to support the proposal for the implementation of a compulsory national FELA/ULA subscription in principle and to seek the views of the FELA/ULA Executive Committees with a view to ensure that the necessary Rule Changes be presented for approval at the 2018 AGM.

(g) Members in Arrears regarding payment of Subscriptions: The Sub-Committee agreed that Officials should bring forward a paper reviewing the current arrangements which have been in operation since 1996, and homologated the waiving of arrears in the particular circumstances described.

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(h) Edinburgh College FELA Branch – Possible Operation of Unofficial Bank Account: The Sub-Committee noted that since its previous meeting;

(1) The Institute’s Auditors, Haines Watts, had indicated in a letter dated 19 September that the Royal Bank of Scotland had refused to provide information regarding the designated bank account held at its Edinburgh Nicholson St. branch without the request being signed by an authorised signatory on the account.

(2) In response to a request by the Sub-Committee seeking confirmation that the designated bank account with the Royal Bank of Scotland had been closed, the Branch Secretary had indicated in correspondence dated 18 September that no Edinburgh College FELA bank account had existed.

(3) No Branch Committee meeting dates had been intimated to headquarters by the Branch Secretary.

The Accountant reported on further correspondence with the Royal Bank of Scotland following the bank’s refusal to provide information to the Auditors, and on a meeting he had held with the branch manager. The branch manager indicated that the designated account had been held at the branch and had been closed on 22 September 2017, however as it is bank policy regarding details of closed accounts to be held centrally it was not possible to state if the account had ever been used, or who were its authorised signatories. The Accountant also stated a response to his correspondence seeking information was awaited.

Following discussion, the Sub-Committee decided that there be a formal investigation into the matter to be conducted by the Convener supported by a designated Institute Official with the process to be followed based on the Institute’s Complaints Procedure. The Sub- Committee also decided that documentation in relation to the investigation be circulated to the Office-Bearers of the branch.

(i) Local Association Accounts 2016/17: The Sub-Committee noted with satisfaction a report which outlined the progress made to date by individual local associations in the submission of quarterly returns required by Headquarters to process financial transactions, reconcile Bank Statements to the accounting records, and prepare draft accounts for submission to the auditor. The report revealed that 29 local associations 2016/17 accounts had been

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submitted to Haines Watts for audit, and that only 1 local association had failed to provide documentation to Headquarters.

(j) EIS Financial Services Ltd:

(a) Directors’ Meeting: The Convener gave an oral report on the meeting of the Board of Directors which had been held on 31 August and advised that the company had made a strong start to its current financial year being 19% ahead of target in the opening months. A fifth financial adviser had been recruited in July with the sixth due to commence in early October – thereby completing immediate staffing requirements. The Convener also advised the Sub-Committee that the company’s Managing Director, Chris Bain, is due to give a brief presentation to the Institute’s local association secretaries at their next meeting to raise awareness of the services available to members.

(b) Accounts for the year ending 31 May 2017: The Convener reported that the Board of Directors had also given consideration to the audited accounts of the company for the year ended 31 May 2017. The pre- tax profit amounted to £230,026 (2016 £245,945) with the Institute due to receive £50,961 under the profit share agreement formula. Additionally, under a separate formula, approximately £103,500 is payable to the Institute by way of dividends – either as an interim payment made in the course of the year or as a final dividend which is paid post year-end on completion of the audit.

(k) Correspondence from Fife Local Association re potential conflict of interest: The Sub-Committee was in receipt of correspondence received from Fife Local Association which referred to discussion at its August 2017 Executive Committee regarding the position of an Executive Committee member who had recently been elected as a Councillor on Fife Council. The correspondence requested that Headquarters clarified the position regarding the possibility of a conflict of interest.

The Sub-Committee noted the prohibition placed on Councillors also working for the authority in which they serve, and decided there would also be a clear conflict of interest where an elected local authority Councillor is also a representative of Institute members in the same local authority. Thus, the Sub-Committee considered the current situation as reported by Fife Local Association to be untenable, and that the member cannot remain on its

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Executive whilst being a Councillor on Fife Council. Additionally, the Sub-Committee re-affirmed that being a local authority Councillor is not in itself a barrier to holding a representative position in a local association, provided the areas represented do not coincide.

(l) Members’ Legal Helpline: The Sub-Committee noted that the members’ legal helpline, now to be operated by Unionline, which is wholly owned by the GMB and CWU trade unions, is to re-open with effect from 1 November 2017.

(m) Local Association Constitution – Highland LA: The Sub- Committee approved proposed changes submitted by Highland Local Association which entailed a reduction in the specified geographical areas used in determining the composition of its Executive Committee from 7 to 4.

(n) Strategy Sub-Committee: The Committee received a report of the Strategy Sub-Committee meeting held on 3 October 2017 and agreed as follows:

NB Updates decided on by Executive Committee are marked by an *.

(i) Pay Campaign – Objective and Strategy - Following a lengthy discussion it was agreed to seek to implement the Pay Campaign resolved at AGM from December 2017 or January 2018 onwards. The final timing and nature of that campaign would be determined by the Executive Committee at its November meeting in light of developments around the 2017-18 pay negotiations. The Committee noted the following points for the Executive’s consideration for that Pay Campaign:

• Use a clear narrative;

• Communicate effectively with members/Local Association Secretaries and Organisers via email, twitter, Facebook etc;

• Headquarters to deliver updates/mailings etc to Local Secretaries and members swiftly;

• Use Organisers to encourage activism by visiting schools and Local Association meetings;

• Produce campaigning ideas for Local Associations i.e. street stalls/petitions/ lobbying MSPs etc;

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• Issue a daily or weekly fact – e.g. contrasting teachers’ pay in Scotland with other OECD countries;

• Use the Political Fund campaign to include discussion on Pay, Workload etc;

• Issue surveys to members for feedback and thoughts;

• Consider setting up a “campaign team”

* It was agreed to devolve powers to the Strategy Sub-Committee to begin processing the action points to implement the pay campaign and to issue campaign packs to Local Association Secretaries as a matter of urgency. It was also agreed that Executive members should attend pay campaign members’ meetings.

* It was further agreed to give powers to the Finance Sub-Committee to proceed with progressing the appointment of a “campaign team”.

(o) Building an Active Union – Report from Residential Executive - The report on Building an Active Union was discussed as part of Item 3 above. The report was noted, with some of the conclusions and lessons learnt from the Residential Executive listed in points listed above in Item 3.

(p) Resolutions Passed from Executive Committee

(a) Teacher Workload: Campaign -

The terms of the resolution were noted as being consistent with ongoing campaigning on workload issues.

(q) Political Fund: Ballot Result: The result of the Political Fund ballot and the subsequent request to the Certification

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Officer for final approval for the Political Fund Rules were noted.

(r) Council, September 2017 Resolutions:

(i) Education International: Donation to Support Teacher Colleagues in Yemen:

The following motion in the name of Andrew O’Halloran, Dumfries & Galloway Local Association was carried:

“That this Council resolve to donate £1,600 to Education International to help support teacher colleagues in Yemen.”

It was noted that the donation of £1,600 has been made to Education International.

(ii) Message of Support: Esmail Abdi, General Secretary of the Tehran Teacher Trade Association:

It was noted that a message of support had been sent.

(iii) Pupil Equity Funding: The following motion in the name of David Farmer, Fife Local Association was carried:

"That this Council resolve to investigate and report on the current use of school committees, with trade union participation, which monitor the deployment of Pupil Equity Funding."

It was agreed that this be raised as a question in the next EIS Representatives Bulletin.

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(iv) School Governance: Regional Partnership and Cooperative Working: The following motion in the name of David Farmer, Fife Local Association was carried:

“That this Council investigate and report on the current position of all Scottish Local Authorities on regional partnership and cooperative working in relation to school governance.”

It was agreed that this motion has been overtaken as regional collaboratives have now been set-up, involving all of Scotland’s local authorities.

(v) UNISON: Pay Up Now March & Rally, 7 October 2017, Edinburgh: The following motion in the name of Donny Gluckstein, EIS-FELA was carried: “That this Council note:

(1) the significant decline in the value of public sector pay as a result of the UK and Scottish governments’ pay caps;

It was noted that this event was publicised and that the event was very well attended.

(s) General Recruitment, Reps, Student Membership and Probationer Recruitment: The recruitment figures since the last meeting of Executive Committee were noted. It was further noted that lists of school representatives had been provided to the Organisers, and they will work together with Local Associations and Area Officers to recruit representatives in those schools currently without a representative.

(2) COMMITTEE REPORTS

(a) Education Committee, 31 October 2017: Susan Quinn, Convener, confirmed that there was one item to be considered under Rule XIII, namely funding towards the cost of the Education Conference in 2018. Attention was drawn, also, to the imminent changes in various overview

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bodies, including the appointment of the General Secretary to the new strategic board for Scottish education.

The financial implications for the Institute, under Rule XIII, for funding towards the cost of the Education Conference in 2018 was approved.

(i) Scottish National Standardised Assessment (SNSA): A memo on standardised assessments was noted and it was agreed that follow up correspondence should be sent to Local Association Secretaries seeking an update on discussions and progress and that further advice should be issued on the issue of declaring a dispute.

(b) Employment Relations Committee, 1 November 2017: Ricky Cullen, Convener, confirmed that there was one item to be considered under Rule XIII, namely the cost of re- printing the Zero Tolerance publicity materials.

The financial implications for the Institute, under Rule XIII, for the cost of re-printing the Zero Tolerance publicity materials was approved.

(i) Memo re Asbestos: Campaign: The memorandum and appended report was noted. It was agreed to continue to seek a broad consensus among other affiliates to the STUC and with Scottish Action on Asbestos. It was further agreed to work, nationally, with Clydeside Action on Asbestos which has a more realistic timetable for the removal of asbestos from all educational establishments in Scotland.

(ii) Memo re Zero Tolerance of Violence: The memorandum was noted. It was agreed to re-issue the existing policy document and publicity materials to all EIS representatives in schools and to branch secretaries in further and higher education establishments.

(c) Equality Committee, 3 November 2017: Nicola Dasgupta, Vice-Convener, confirmed that there was one item to be considered under Rule XIII, namely financial support of approx. £5,000 towards the local level launches of the Older Women guidance (i.e. venue hire, etc).

The financial implications for the Institute, under Rule XIII, for financial support of approx. £5,000 towards the local level launches of the Older Women guidance was approved.

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(3) FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

(a) EIS-FELA Executive Committee:

(i) Memo from EIS-FELA Executive re Glasgow Regional Board: The memorandum was noted. It was agreed to disapprove of the request to call for the resignation of Grahame Smith as STUC General Secretary. It was further agreed that the General Secretary would write to Grahame Smith, in his personal capacity as the Interim Chair of the Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board, outlining the concerns raised by the EIS-FELA Executive around the issues of the proposed pay increase of 17% for the Glasgow Colleges Regional Board Executive Director, asking that he respond to the concerns raised.

(ii) Memo from EIS-FELA Executive re BME Lecturers in FE: It was agreed to carry out a scoping exercise into the research required in both the FE and school sector and to report back to a future Executive Committee.

(4) POLITICAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

(a) STUC:

(i) STUC Congress 2018 – Topics for Motions: It was agreed to submit three motions to the STUC Congress 2018 to include 1) Women at Work (Empowering women regarding sexual harassment); 2) Public Sector Pay and Aging Workforce; and 3) Funding Education, 4) Poverty and the Attainment Gap and 5) Anti-Racism – and the changing face of racism across the EU. It was further agreed to give powers to the Office-Bearers and Officials to agree the final wording of the motions to be submitted.

(ii) STUC – St Andrew’s Day March & Rally: 25 November 2017, Glasgow: It was agreed to continue to promote this event, encouraging members to attend.

(iii) National EIS Banner: It was agreed to proceed with purchasing a new, lightweight, National EIS Banner.

(b) Scottish Government

(i) Response to Consultation from the Scottish Parliament’s Committee on Local Government & Communities: The 2018/2019 Draft Budget: The response was homologated.

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(ii) Response to Education & Skills Committee Report on Teacher Workforce Planning: Following amendment, the response to the Education & Skills Committee Report on Teacher Workforce Planning was approved.

(iii) Consultation on the Provisions of the Education (Scotland) Bill: It was agreed that, in addition to consideration of the Consultation by the EIS Committees, the Office-Bearers, Conveners and EIS Officials would meet also, to consider and coordinate a draft response to this consultation, with the final draft being circulated for approval at the January 2018 Executive. It was further agreed that the Institute position of opposition to the merger of the GTCS into a new Education Workforce Council should be developed as a campaign workstream, alongside the formal response to the Consultation document.

(i) 3rd EI World Women’s Conference, Marrakech, Morocco – 5-7 February 2018: It was agreed to give approval for the President and Assistant Secretary Bradley to attend this Conference.

(ii) EI Conference on School Leadership, Johannesburg, South Africa – 24-26 April 2018: It was agreed to give approval for either the President and/or the General Secretary to attend this Conference.

(d) Freedom for Ocalan Campaign: Affiliation Request: It was agreed to affiliate to the Freedom for Ocalan Campaign at a cost of £200.

(e) Appointments to Outside Organisations 2017/2018: Assistant Secretary Belsey provided an oral update in relation to appointments to the two groups: Scottish Centres (Scottish Environmental and Outdoor Education Centres Association Limited) and Scottish Council on Deafness. It was noted that a nomination was forthcoming from Dundee Local Association for the Scottish Council on Deafness. It was further agreed to seek a nomination from Local Associations for the Scottish Centres vacancy.

(f) ‘Nae Pasaran’ – Documentary on Scottish Solidarity for Chile: Campaign: It was agreed to pledge the sum of £500 to the Nae Pasaran financial appeal.

(g) Youth Music Initiative (YMI) – “What’s Going on Now”: Request for £5,000 Investment: It was agreed to contribute £5,000 towards the cost of the research and to

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ask for a member of the EIS Instrumental Music Teachers’ Network to be involved in the research steering group.

(h) Mary’s Meals – Double The Love Appeal: It was agreed to donate £500 to this appeal.

EDUCATION MATTERS

4. Arising from meeting of the Education Committee held on 31 October 2017, Council took the following decisions:

(1) SECONDARY

(a) SQA:

(i) SQA Advisory Board: The Vice-Convener reported on the meeting held on 4 September 2017. It was noted that the main focus of the meeting had been around the 2017 Exam Diet and that updated Results for National Courses and Awards 2017 were available on the SQA website. The Group is now focussing on the year ahead and the next meeting is scheduled to take place on 6 November. It was noted that appropriate timing of meetings to allow for consideration of published documentation would be raised.

(ii) SQA approaches to marking: The Committee considered an enquiry raised by a member in relation to SQA marking protocols. It was decided that the matter was not for the Education Committee and the member would be communicated with directly.

(2) CROSS SECTOR

(a) Scottish Government:

(i) Assessment and National Qualifications Group:

(a) National 4 Scoping Exercise: It was reported that Assistant Secretary Bradley had attended a meeting on 25 October, with the primary focus being the future of the N4 qualification. There was general agreement around the purposes of N4 and that consideration needs to be given to N4 to N5 progression. It was noted that Scottish Government had accepted the SQA position that changes to N4 were likely to require at least a further academic year for implementation arising from workload demands within SQA.

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The General Secretary reported that in the course of discussions Scottish Government had announced its intention to make a number of changes around existing policy and oversight bodies. Various groups would merge and it was anticipated that three groups would emerge: a Strategic Policy Board, a Curriculum and Assessment Group and a further Group to take forward matters around workforce planning and other non-curriculum related issues. It was decided that it would be for Executive Committee to consider appropriate representation on future Groups and it was agreed to seek clarification and the remits of existing and merged groups from Scottish Government. It was further agreed that Assistant Secretary Bradley and the Education Committee Convener would provide representation, as required, in the interim.

(ii) National Improvement Framework:

(a) Standardised Assessment: The Committee noted various correspondence to local authorities on their plans for the implementation of SNSAs and outlining the EIS position with regards to SNSAs in the context of wider assessment policy; and to Local Association Secretaries providing advice in terms of action at local level. It was decided to Memo Executive Committee to request an update on discussions and progress from Local Association Secretaries.

(b) Improvement Conference for Education: Achieving Excellence and Equity through the use of Performance Data: A Scottish Government hosted Conference with the participation of the majority of members of the International Council of Education Advisers, was attended by the General Secretary, Assistant Secretary Bradley, Convener, Vice-Convener and N Dasgupta. The Committee noted a full report with input from attendees. The Vice-Convener had attended a Seminar on the BGE Improvement Tool and had some concerns about levels of access to data once the toolkit went ‘live’ in January 2018. It was agreed to seek clarity on access and use for the proposed Toolkit.

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(iii) Modern Languages 1+2 Strategic Implementation Groups:

(a) SIG Education Group: The Convener had attended a meeting of the SIG Education Group on 26 October 2017. It was reported that the special interest group was sitting independently of other similar groups and that progress had been limited. Approaches to 1+2 languages remained highly variable both across and within authorities. A draft framework had been developed and would be discussed within Universities. In light of the Scottish Government announcement of its intention to make a number of changes around existing bodies, it was agreed to consider the usefulness of EIS presence at this group in future.

(iv) Parental Involvement Reference Group: The Committee noted that the Parental Involvement Advisory Group had been reconstituted as a Reference Group. The newly constituted Group would advise on the development of amended legal duties on parental involvement and the development of a national action plan on parental engagement. It was agreed that National Officer Jenny Kemp would serve as the EIS Representative on the new Group.

(b) Education Scotland:

(i) Radical New Approaches to Improvement: The Committee noted an Education Scotland Press Release outlining an increase in the number of inspections and a variety of other changes to the inspectorate’s approach. Concerns were raised around the introduction of a programme of ‘young inspectors’ and it was agreed to seek more detail from a forthcoming External Reference Group on 28 November.

(ii) Inspections meeting: Assistant Secretary Bradley provided a written report of a meeting with Education Scotland on 13 September. National Officer Jenny Kemp highlighted that it had been a candid discussion with willingness from Education Scotland to consider feedback. Recurring themes included the size of teams deployed to conduct inspections, the quality of professional dialogue, and the disparity between written and oral feedback. The Committee acknowledged that the EIS advice on Inspections required updating and it was decided to seek to

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update the advice following feedback from the External Reference Group meeting in November.

(c) Headteachers’ and Depute Headteachers’ Network: The Committee noted the Programme for the Headteachers’ and Depute Headteachers’ Conference on 1 December. The Committee noted a request to identify a Primary Headteacher to lead a workshop around Curriculum Design. The Convener advised that Carolyn Darven from Pollokshields Primary had agreed to participate at the event.

(d) General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS):

(i) Review of Professional Standards – National Conversation: The Committee noted an invitation from the GTCS to host a data gathering exercise exploring questions around revising the Professional Standards. It was agreed to invite the GTCS to the next meeting of the CPD Sub Committee on 18 January 2018 and if that date was suitable, an invitation would be extended to interested members of the Education Committee to attend the relevant section of the meeting.

(ii) Professional Learning Awards: The Convener and the President had attended the GTC Scotland event on 21 September to recognise and celebrate the impact of teacher professional learning and leadership of learning. Four groups had received an award for excellent practice. It was reported that Professor Rowena Arshad had received a Professional Recognition Award for Professional Learning. It was decided that participation in and sponsorship of future events would require further consideration.

(e) CPD:

(i) CPD Sub-Committee: The minute of the meeting of the CPD Sub-Committee held on 12 September 2017 was approved by the Committee. Arising from the minute the Education Committee took the following decisions:

(a) CPD Workplan: The Sub Committee noted the workplan containing current streams of work being undertaken. It was further noted that the Sub Committee would discuss relevant actions for AGM resolutions later in the agenda. With regards to ‘dates and times of future meetings’, the Sub Committee agreed an email would be

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sent to members to establish if an am or pm meeting would be preferred. It was also noted that the meeting date of 18 May could possibly be rescheduled to earlier in the year to maximise productivity.

(b) Professional Learning Conference 2017: The Sub Committee noted the programme for the Conference. It was agreed to seek facilitators from the membership of the Sub Committee for each of the 6 workshops. K Farrell, R McKay and P McEwan, along with the Ex President, agreed to facilitate. The Convener said that she was happy to be a facilitator and help in any other way on the day.

(c) City and Guilds: The Professional Learning Co- ordinator explained that City and Guilds’ Business Development Manager, Chris Merry, had vacated his post. The Professional Learning Co-ordinator had made several attempts to make contact with his successor with no response. It was agreed to locate the signed partnership agreement and re- visit the terms with City and Guilds. An update will be provided to the Sub Committee at the next meeting.

(d) Globe Education Shakespeare Workshops: The Professional Learning Co-ordinator provided an oral update to the Sub Committee and advised that despite a great deal of advertising, there were a number of places still available on each workshop. It was agreed to offer the available places to EIS members in Glasgow.

(e) National Learning Rep Network, Vacancies: A paper enclosing a list of vacancies in School establishments and Further and Higher Branches was noted. It was agreed that the status of a Learning Rep who changed local authorities required to be clarified. A number of suggestions were made to attempt to fill vacancies, which included an article in the December SEJ to profile what a Learning Rep does; request relevant Local Association Secretaries raise vacancies at a local meeting; invite EIS Education Committee Convener to raise the subject of Learning Rep Vacancies in her Education Committee report for Council. It was further suggested to memo the Education Committee to request they send a memo to FELA Education Committee in relation

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to Learning Rep Vacancies, highlighting entitlement to facility time and to clarify that members are not elected though need to be approved by the Branch.

(f) Learning Rep Protocol: The Sub Committee noted two tabled papers, the original protocol and a draft updated version. The Sub Committee agreed to send any comments they may have to the Professional Learning Co-ordinator by Tuesday 19 September. The topic of Learning Rep expenses had been raised and it was noted that the sum stated in the original protocol may need to be reviewed. It was agreed to seek the advice of the EIS Accountant on the practice of paying this flat-rate payment.

(g) Learner of the Year Awards: Assistant Secretary Bradley notified the Sub Committee of this award and suggested nominating the EIS Learning Rep Network as a cohort to recognise their work collectively. The short timescale in which to have the EIS nomination submitted was acknowledged and the deadline date of 22 September was noted. It was agreed to seek clarification on a group nomination being viable, and if so, powers would be given to Assistant Secretary Bradley and the Professional Learning Co-ordinator to construct a narrative to submit.

(h) Research and Grants, 2017-18 Interim Report: A paper outlining the development of and proposed next steps for EIS Action Research Grants was noted. It was agreed to suggest to Education Committee that the quality assurance process should involve peer assessment.

(i) AGM Resolutions:

(i) “That this AGM request that Council supports a campaign to establish Holocaust Education as a feature of the Curriculum for Excellence.”

It was agreed to carry out an investigation to seek what CLPL provision was already in place by contacting the Learning Rep Network and Local Association Secretaries in the first instance.

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(ii) “That this AGM call for teachers to have access to purposeful CLPL opportunities that are properly planned and resourced.”

It was agreed to complete a scoping exercise to establish the quality of Professional Learning on offer by communicating with Local Association Secretaries and EIS Learning Reps. Once the gaps have been identified, the Sub Committee would consider how to address them.

(iii) “That this AGM call on Council to promote and re-establish Anti-Racist Education firmly in the curriculum for every year group and sector; including training for all teachers and lecturers in light of the current political climate and as a way to tackle the rise in Racism.”

It was noted that Equality Committee were in the process of gathering information from Local Authorities regarding racist incident reporting. It was agreed to await these statistics. In the meantime, it was agreed to contact Local Association Secretaries and EIS Learning Reps seeking information on the availability of training for teachers in the delivery of anti-racist education.

(iv) “That this AGM call on Council to:

(b) develop recommendations for partners regarding enhancing current provision of equalities education for teachers, both through ITE and through ongoing Professional Learning.”

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It was agreed that Assistant Secretary Bradley would liaise with the Equality Committee and Department on this work. It was agreed to gather intelligence via discussions with ITE providers through meetings and emails, and from a meeting scheduled with Ellen Docherty of the GTCS. The Sub Committee agreed to consider the information gathered and to construct recommendations to be shared with the Education Committee for strengthening current provision.

(j) ISTP:

(i) Agreed actions from the Conference: The Sub Committee noted a paper containing three bullet point actions. It was agreed to seek more information regarding what is envisaged concerning joint working. An email update will be sought from the General Secretary and circulated to Sub Committee members. The initial view of the Sub Committee is that the professional learning designed requires to be comprehensive, covering all aspects of school experience from cost barriers to assessment policy.

(ii) Meeting with Jane Cameron, Positively Speaking, 5 July 2017. The Sub Committee noted a paper regarding the meeting and agreed to fund £250 for Jane to provide EIS Learning Reps with a second workshop.

(k) Proposed dates and times of next meeting. It was agreed to circulate a doodle poll to decide a time for the meeting on 18 January.

(ii) EIS Action Research Grants. The Committee considered a recommendation from the CPD-Sub Committee in relation to the quality assurance process that will underpin final payment for and dissemination of completed research projects. It was agreed that successful applications that met the initial criteria would receive the final payment and that the Institute would use internal processes to determine how best to use the findings.

(iii) Learning Rep Protocol. The Committee considered a revised draft of the existing Learning Rep Protocol

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which included a number of recommendations. Following extensive discussion it was decided that clarification was required in a number of areas and that in the first instance, further consideration should be given to these matters by the CPD Sub-Committee.

(iv) Learning Rep Request for Funding. A request from a Learning Rep for funding to attend training was considered by the Committee. The Learning Rep advised that following completion she would be happy to offer basic training in this area to other EIS Learning Reps or to facilitate at other EIS events. It was decided to agree to this request as a pilot with a view to determining and developing criteria for considering similar future requests.

(f) Education Conference 2017/18. The Committee approved a proposal outlining the date, location and broad theme of the conference in order that detailed planning could get underway.

(3) SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS

(a) The Committee considered applications for funding from the 2017-18 budget and it was decided to support the following organisations:

(i) YDance, £1000 (ii) Glasgow Music/Celtic Connections Education Programme, £3,500 (iii) The Queen’s Hall, £500 (iv) Anim8s, £400

(4) OUTSIDE BODIES

(a) Scottish Parent Teacher Council, Partnership Schools Reference Group. National Officer Jenny Kemp provided a written report of the meeting held on 26 October. Key agenda items included: Challenges, learning and solutions – an update on Year 2; Skills Development Scotland Research; presentations from involved schools; and different models for family learning used by Glasgow City Council. The next reference Group is scheduled to meet in May 2018. In the interim, it was agreed to seek EIS Reps’ perspectives on the impact of the Partnership Schools project in their schools, especially in relation to teaching staff workload.

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EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS MATTERS

5. Arising from meeting of the Employment Relations Committee held on 1 November 2017, Council took the following decisions:

(1) Benevolence:

(a) The excerpt from the meeting on 30 August 2017 was approved as a correct record.

(b) Correspondence: Correspondence from a recipient of a grant was noted.

(d) Grant: It was reported to the Committee that a member had completed an application for the Benevolent Fund. However, before anything could be considered the member sadly passed away. The Vice-Convener and Accountant decided that a grant of £2,500 be awarded to the parents to help towards funeral expenses. The Committee homologated this decision.

(e) Applications for Assistance: Consideration was given to 20 applications. 8 grants from the Benevolent Fund which were authorised by the Convener and the Accountant were homologated. The Committee authorised 19 grants and required an up to date application from 1 member.

Benevolent Fund £38,200

(2) Legal Affairs:

(a) The Minute of the meeting on 30 August 2017 was approved as a correct record.

(b) The Committee considered 15 cases.

(3) AGM Resolutions:

(a) A memorandum from Executive on resolutions arising from the 2017 Annual General Meeting was noted.

(i) Asbestos: Campaign: The Committee considered the contents of a memorandum from Executive Committee which asked the Employment Relations Committee to outline the extent of the issue of asbestos in schools

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and any previous work undertaken. The Committee received an oral report from officials. Following discussion, the terms of a suitable reply were agreed.

(ii) The Impact of Mental Health Matters on Education Staff – 2017 AGM Resolution: The Committee noted that this resolution would now be processed by Executive Committee.

(iii) Zero Tolerance of Violence: The Committee considered the contents of the existing EIS Violence and Disruptive Pupils Policy and the attendant publicity materials (posters). It was agreed to memo Executive recommending that the policy document and the publicity materials be re-issued to all EIS representatives in schools and to branch secretaries in further and higher education establishments.

(4) Health & Safety

The Committee homologated the response to a consultation document on the update of the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1967.

EQUALITY MATTERS

6. Arising from a meeting of the Equality Committee held on 3 November 2017, Council took the following decisions:

(1) Minutes of previous Meeting, 1 September 2017: Minutes of the last meeting were noted by the Committee. The Committee noted the omission of the President from the minute of the previous meeting and it was agreed to amend the minute accordingly.

(2) AGM Resolution 2017: Equality Legislation Training: A written report from National Officer Jenny Kemp was noted by the Committee. The Committee approved the draft letter and it was agreed to circulate this to local authorities. The briefing included in the report was approved by the Committee and it was agreed to circulate this to Local Associations.

(3) Equality Challenge Unit: Scottish Staff Equality Project: A written report from National Officer Jenny Kemp was noted by the Committee. The report highlighted that the ECU’s College Staff Survey had identified high levels of bullying and harassment in the FE sector, and staff experiences being affected by having a protected characteristic. It was noted that the full survey findings would be published soon. The Committee agreed to contact National Officer Keenan regarding participation in any

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future Advisory Group, should the ECU continue its work with colleges.

(4) STUC Union Rep Awards: The award details were noted by the Committee. The Committee noted that there have been no BME recipients of these awards. The Committee agreed to consider this when making future nominations.

(5) RespectMe National Anti-Bullying Service:

(a) National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report detailing a meeting with Professional Learning Co-ordinator Lesley Walker and new RespectMe Director Katie Rafferty. The Committee noted that RespectMe are offering free training for Equality Reps for up to 20 practitioners and agreed to invite the new Director to a future meeting of the Equality Committee as a guest speaker. The Committee agreed to consider asking the new Director to contribute an article to a future edition of the SEJ.

(6) Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland: Discrimination in Education Event, Friday 24 November 2017: A programme for the event was noted by the Committee. The Committee agreed that National Officer Jenny Kemp would attend the event. It was also agreed to circulate information about this event to Equality Reps not on Council, due to the date clashing with a Council meeting.

(7) Education Scotland Staff Training Day: Following an oral report from National Officer Jenny Kemp, it was agreed that the EIS should offer a workshop for this ES event, on 12 December, on equality matters. The Committee gave powers to finalise the theme of the workshop to the Convenor, Vice-Convenor and EIS Office Bearers.

(8) Impact of Poverty in Education Campaign:

(a) Poverty Working Group Minutes, 2 October 2017: Minutes of the last meeting were noted by the Committee. The Committee noted the omission of the Ex-President from the minute of the previous meeting and it was agreed to amend the minute accordingly. The Committee noted that certain schools are still imposing high costs for trips and events, and appear to be taking insufficient account of poverty-related inequalities. It was agreed that the importance of the Impact of Poverty on Education Campaign needs to be reiterated and ongoing campaigning must continue. The Committee agreed for this issue to be considered at the next meeting of the Impact of Poverty in Education Working Group.

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(b) Challenging Poverty Stigma and Promoting Inclusive Practice in Scotland: Knowledge Exchange and Development Roundtable, 25 October 2017: The Convenor delivered an oral report of the event and highlighted that it was targeted predominantly toward NHS members of staff and gave a perspective on how NHS staff become aware of poverty-related issues. The event had highlighted the need for union learning and wider trade union involvement. The Committee agreed to forward the presentation slides from the event to Professional Learning Co-ordinator Lesley Walker.

(9) Gender Issues:

(a) AGM Resolutions 2016:

(i) Older Women and Work: Consultation “That this AGM instruct Council to consult with older women (women aged 50-64 as defined by the STUC and in the Scottish Commission on Older Women Report – Older Women and Work: Looking to the Future) members on the issues which affect them at work and thereafter prepare specific guidance on supporting older women members in the workplace.”

(a) National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report and highlighted a proposal for events to be held at local level, organised by EIS activists. National Officer Jenny Kemp highlighted that potentially suitable locations had been identified and these were Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Kilmarnock and Oban. The Committee agreed to contact Local Associations and activists in these areas with a rubric for a launch event and granted powers to finalise the wording of the rubric to the Convenor, Vice-Convenor and National Officer Jenny Kemp.

(b) AGM Resolutions 2017:

(i) Provision of Free Sanitary Products “This AGM welcomes the initiative taken by South Lanarkshire College to provide free sanitary products to both staff and students.

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(a) A written report from National Officer Jenny Kemp was noted by the Committee. The Committee agreed to contact local authorities and Local Associations to highlight the inconsistencies regarding cost and accessibility of sanitary products outlined in the report. It was further agreed that a companion to Get it Right for Girls, focused on the issues raised, would be drafted. It was noted that the EIS motion on Period Poverty at STUC Women’s Conference had been passed.

(b) The draft response to Monica Lennon MSP’s consultation was noted by the Committee. The Committee agreed for any comments regarding the response to be sent to the Equality Department by 30 November 2017.

(i) Information regarding a Women’s Weekend School on conference skills was noted by the Committee. The Committee agreed to contact Local Associations to make members aware of the event.

(d) International Women’s Day: A written report was noted by the Committee. The Committee discussed the logistics of bringing together an EIS women’s choir to commemorate International Women’s Day in 2018 and agreed in principle that this was a suitable way of marking IWD. The Committee suggested the possibility of holding an event in January with a view to posting a recording of the choir on the website and social media on International Women’s Day. The Committee noted the option of collating multiple recordings from several areas. The Committee agreed to contact Local Associations to gauge interest in forming the choir and to find out what other plans to mark IWD were underway.

(e) Evidence for the Scottish Parliament Equalities and Human Rights Committee on the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill:

(i) Remembering Mary Barbour Campaign. National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report which highlighted that the EIS was yet to receive a formal invitation to the unveiling of the new statue. The

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Committee agreed to contact the STUC Women’s Committee to receive formal confirmation of the invitation and confirm that the presence of union activists with banners would be welcome, and to update Glasgow Local Association once information had been obtained.

(10) Anti Racist Issues:

(a) AGM Resolutions 2016:

(i) Rights of Pupils in a Scottish School: Welcome Pack

Two draft early level booklets were noted by the Committee, one entitled ‘Welcome to Scotland’ and one entitled ‘Going to School in Scotland’. The Committee noted the amendments to the draft booklets resulting from suggestions which came from the last meeting of the Anti-Racist Sub Committee. It was agreed that the text provided would form the basis for additional, age-appropriate guides for other levels, which would now be developed. The booklets received positive feedback overall regarding the inclusion of both traditional and modern aspects of Scotland.

(b) AGM Resolutions 2017:

(i) Islamophobia: EIS Advice

“This AGM instructs Council to refresh EIS advice on Islamophobia, taking into account political and legal developments since the last iteration of our advice on Islamophobia.”

A written report was noted by the Committee. National Officer Jenny Kemp highlighted that there had been nine expressions of interest from members regarding the formulation of a focus group to shape the guidance, and that plans for a meeting were underway. The Committee noted that a draft of the new guidance will be made available at the first Equality Committee Meeting after the focus group is held.

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(ii) Racism and Islamophobia: EIS Survey

“This AGM requests Council to undertake and report on a survey of all EIS members on teachers’ and lecturers’ direct or indirect experiences of racism and Islamophobia.”

Further, that this AGM, in the face of the increased victimisation and demonisation of Muslims in society, call on Council to campaign:

(a) In support of members challenging Islamophobia, including verbal and physical abuse, in Scottish schools and Further Education colleges;

A draft survey provided by National Officer Jenny Kemp was noted by the Committee. The Committee agreed for any comments regarding sample construction, the introductory and closing wording and the proposed survey content to be sent to the Equality department by 10 November 2017, and that the survey should be issued thereafter.

(iii) Anti-Racist Education

“That this AGM call on Council to promote and re- establish Anti-Racist Education firmly in the curriculum for every year group and sector; including training for all teachers and lecturers in light of the current political climate and as a way to tackle the rise in Racism.

A written report from National Officer Jenny Kemp was noted by the Committee. The Committee noted that all 32 local authorities had responded to the FOI request with Glasgow City Council asking for the request to be resubmitted in November 2017. National Officer Jenny Kemp highlighted that the statistics received confirm that the practice of recording racist incidents is very variable and that there is substantial

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room for improvement in how racism is addressed in schools. The Committee agreed to take this forward at the next meeting of the Anti-Racist Sub Committee.

(c) BME People as Teachers: Case studies: National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report and highlighted the under-representation of BME teachers on the Scottish Government teacher recruitment website. The Committee had previously agreed to contact Local Associations for volunteers for case studies and it was noted that this had been undertaken, and so far two members had volunteered. The Committee agreed that further publicity may be beneficial when the new case studies have been added to the website.

(d) SATEAL conference, 17 March 2018: The Committee noted the conference dates for information. The Committee agreed that any volunteers wishing to attend the event should notify the Equality Department.

(e) St Andrew’s Day Anti-Racism March and Rally, 25 November 2017: The dates of the march and rally were noted by the Committee for information. The Committee further noted a poster and leaflet publicising the event and it was agreed to request that the Organisation department included these in the next Council posting. Members were alerted to the need for stewards at the march. It was noted that information about the event had been circulated to Local Association and Branch secretaries, urging attendance, and that information about the Aberdeen event would be shared when available.

(11) LGBT ISSUES

(a) AGM Resolution 2017:

(i) LGBT Specific Training

“This AGM instructs Council to survey members to provide evidence of the level of LGBT+ specific training they have received in the last 5 years and what training opportunities around LGBT+ exist within their local authority or delivered by college employers.”

A draft survey was noted by the Committee. It was suggested that the survey be extended to School Reps and members of Council in order to secure a larger response, and this was agreed. It was further agreed to ask about

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LGBT identity, and to issue the survey, subject to amending minor numbering errors.

(b) LGBT Network: National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report and highlighted that discussions regarding the operational framework for the LGBT Network are ongoing with a view to establishing a more formal model going forward. The Committee noted that National Officer Jenny Kemp and the Convenor had attended a productive meeting with the new Convenor of the LGBT Network Dawn Wilson and further noted that communication is still ongoing between members of the LGBT Network. The Committee agreed that a paper would be considered at the next meeting of the Equality Committee.

(c) LGBTI Inclusive Education Working Group, 24 October 2017: A tabled paper by National Officer Jenny Kemp was noted by the Committee. National Officer Jenny Kemp highlighted the key points from the paper. The Committee noted that this was the fourth meeting of the Working Group and some progress was now being made. National Officer Jenny Kemp informed the Committee that a recurring discussion topic at the meeting has been the adequacy of SEEMiS, and reported related concerns from EIS members that in some local authorities schools are not changing transgender pupils’ gender on SEEMiS but are only amending the ‘preferred name’ of the pupil, causing them some distress. It was agreed to investigate this further.

(d) UK Intersex Association: Meeting: A written report by National Officer Jenny Kemp was noted by the Committee. The Committee agreed to issue a short briefing on intersex issues to be made available on the EIS website. It was further agreed to contact the National Education Union regarding advice on intersex issues, and to check how SEEMiS captures this.

(12) DISABILITY

(a) AGM Resolution 2016:

Reasonable Adjustments: Investigation and Guidance.

“That this AGM Instruct Council to:

(a) investigate the types of “reasonable adjustments” which have been requested from each Local Authority, together with the decisions taken and the reasoning behind the decisions;

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(b) issue guidance to members and representatives on the legal aspects of requesting “reasonable adjustments”.

The final guidance was noted by the Committee for information. It was agreed to ensure that this had been distributed to Local Associations and Branches.

(b) EI survey on children and youth with disabilities. National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report highlighting that she had responded to an online survey by Educational International. The Committee agreed for a written report of the outcomes to be considered at a future meeting of the Equality Committee when available.

(13) EQUALITY REPS

(a) Recruitment and Training. National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report and highlighted that there is currently an extensive waiting list to take part in training events but that training scheduled for October through to December had required to be cancelled due to an inability among members to secure cover. The Committee agreed to consider the current recruitment and training model and look at all possible options in order to garner more participation in future training events and limit cancellations.

(b) Equality Reps Bulletin. A discussion ensued regarding the possibility of an Equality Reps Bulletin. National Officer Jenny Kemp suggested that all relevant resources be collated and sent to Equality Reps regularly, perhaps on a termly basis. The Committee noted that a similar structure had recently been put in to operation in the form of an e- Bulletin to Learning Reps. It was agreed that such a Bulletin would be useful.

SALARIES MATTERS

7. Arising from a meeting of the Salaries Committee held on 2 November 2017 Council took the following decisions:

(1) SNCT:

(a) 2018/19 – Pay Discussion: It was agreed to bring an options paper to the December meeting of the Committee. A lengthy discussion took place after which it was agreed that, while the 2017/2018 pay claim would be accompanied with a narrative, it would be a claim for a percentage rate

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increase for all teachers and associated professionals covered by the provisions of the SNCT Handbook.

(b) Headteachers’ Charter – Discussion: The Committee had been issued with an article from The Sunday Herald newspaper for information. The General Secretary reported that the Headteachers’ Charter will be part of the Education Bill scheduled to be published in the summer of 2018. It was agreed to keep this issue under review.

(c) University of Dundee – Supported Induction Route (SIR): A paper was tabled highlighting the fact that the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) has accredited a new model of Initial Teacher Education developed by University of Dundee. The model integrates a PGCE with an induction programme and qualifying students will graduate into a career in teaching after one full year rather than the current two years. Following discussion, it was agreed to raise concerns through the SNCT structures and in meetings between representatives of the EIS and the University of Dundee.

8. MOTIONS

(1) Digital Communication Strategy:

The following motion in the name of David Baxter, Dundee Local Association was carried:

“That this Council resolve to develop and implement a digital communication strategy.”

(2) EIS Website and EIS App for Members:

The following motion in the name of David Baxter, Dundee Local Association was carried: "That this Council resolve to update and relaunch the EIS website as soon as practically possible. Further, that this Council resolve to develop and launch an EIS app for members."

(3) Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) Campaign:

The following motion in the name of Terri Connolly, South Lanarkshire Local Association was carried:

"That this Council resolve to affiliate to the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) Campaign."

(4) Redistributive and Progressive System of Taxation:

The following motion in the name of Helen Connor, North Lanarkshire Local Association was carried:

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“That this Council support the STUC call for the Scottish Parliament to use its new tax and borrowing powers to establish a more redistributive and progressive system of taxation, which raises revenues for fully funding public services, such as Education, and puts an end to austerity driven recession and stagnation.”

9. BOARD OF EXAMINERS:

(1) Two vacancies on the Board of Examiners, Group 3:

Gavin Roberts, North Lanarkshire was elected.

It was noted that Board of Examiners would run with one vacancy.

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 26 January 2018.

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MEETING OF COUNCIL 26 JANUARY 2018

Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on 26 January 2018 at 10.00 am in the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton Hotel, Edinburgh.

1. SEDERUNT: President, Vice-President, Ex-President, General Secretary, Accountant, Assistant Secretaries Belsey and Bradley; Officers Brown, Buchanan, Fallow, Franchetti, Gray, Keenan, Kemp, McCrossan and McGinty; D Baxter, M Bayliss, T Britton, E Burns, S Burns, M Callaghan, F Carey, A Cheyne, N Cimini, H Collie, T Connolly, H Connor, R Constable, R Cullen, P Currie, N Dasgupta, S Davidson, M Delargy, P Dixon, M Dolan, M Dunn, D Farmer, K Fella, C Finlay, A Fullwood, R Fyfe, A Gardiner, G Gillan, A Gillespie, J Gillespie, S Gillespie, D Gluckstein, J Gourlay, J Gow, P Gower, F Gray, W Hamilton, J Hill, A Holligan, A Howie, H Hughes, G Hunter, G Jarvie, J Kelly, M Kelly, S Kelly, H Kilgour, S Kordiak, G Laird, P Laverie, E Leitch, J Lennon, B MacKay, A Mackenzie, P Manley, A Mansur, A McAuley, L McBride, K McCalman, K McClelland, A McClure, C McCombie, M McCrossan, J McDaid, P McEwan, J McIntyre, J McKeown, J McNair, K Mohammed, D Morris, T Munro, A Murphy, A O’Halloran, A Palmer, M Paul, P Pearce, J Pringle, S Quinn, B Ramsay, M Rideout, C Ritchie, G Roberts, C Rose, D Ross, I Ross, J Rowe, I Scott, A Skillen, S Slater, D Smith, D Smith, G Smith, D Smithyman, L Steele, P Stewart, S Talboys, S Thomson, C Thorpe, S Tillman, N Watt, J Welsh, C Weston, P Wishart, I Young.

Apologies: Assistant Secretary Wilson, Officers Flanagan and Scott; N Anderson, A Bamford, M Bell, P Burke, J Chrystal, A Crosbie, L Glen, A Guy, J Hutchinson, E Imlah, V Inkster, D Kenny, D McDonough, K Mitchell, S Peter, S Rooney, A Sutcliffe, J Swinburne, E Swinley, J Walker, C Yates.

2. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 24 November 2017 were noted.

EXECUTIVE MATTERS

3. Arising from meeting of the Executive Committee held on 12 January 2018 Council took the following decisions:

(1) FINANCE AND ORGANISATION

(a) Investments:

(i) Standard Life Wealth – Report to 30 September 2017: The report for the Quarter to 30 September 2016 was noted. The report revealed there had been a positive return of £34,000 (0.4%) which comprised an

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increase in the market value of the Institute’s total non-charitable investments held by the company.

(ii) Standard Life Wealth Investment Performance Monitoring: The Sub-Committee noted a report which detailed the investment performance of Standard Life Wealth for the Quarter to 30 September 2017. Performance for the Quarter fell short of the appropriate benchmark for the Institute’s non- charitable funds by a margin of 1% (0.4% compared to the benchmark of 1.4%). The overall weighted return for the Quarter was below the composite index benchmark by £76,000.

(iii) Baillie Gifford Ltd – Report for Quarter to 30 September 2017: The report for the Quarter to 30 September 2017 was noted. The report revealed there had been a positive return of £67,000 (1.3%) which comprised an increase of £45,000 (0.9%) in the market value of the portfolio augmented by £22,000 (0.4%) of income which had been reinvested.

(iv) Baillie Gifford Investment Performance Monitoring: The Sub-Committee noted a report which detailed the investment performance of Baillie Gifford for the Quarter to 30 September 2017. Performance for the Quarter exceeded the appropriate benchmarks by margins of 0.3% in respect of the Diversified Growth Fund and 0.7% in respect of the Multi Asset Growth Fund (1.2%/1.5% compared to the benchmark of 0.9%). The overall weighted return for the Quarter was above the benchmark by £23,000.

(v) Walker Crips – Report for Quarter to 30 September 2017: The report for the Quarter to 30 September 2017 was noted. The report revealed there had been a positive return of £182,000 in the period (1.7%).

(vi) Walker Crips Investment Performance Monitoring: Sub-Committee noted a report which detailed the investment performance of Walker Crips & Co for the Quarter to 30 September 2017. Performance exceeded the benchmark on the General Sterling Fund by £31,000 and fell short by £219,000 on the North American Funds. Overall performance was below the benchmark by £188,000 (1.8%) in pure cash terms. After removing the effect of adverse currency movement over the period for the North American Funds, for which Walker Crips has no control since the company has been instructed to

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place these investments in these particular markets, overall investment performance fell short of the benchmarks by £51,000 (0.5%).

(vii) Restructuring of Institute Investments Phase 2 – Disinvestment from Standard Life Wealth: The Sub- Committee gave consideration to a report which indicated that the new Baillie Gifford Positive Change Fund could be a suitable investment choice for the approximate £3.65 million which will become available as a consequence of the disposal of 50% of the Professional Fund’s holding in the Standard Life Wealth Bridge Fund which is scheduled to take place in the current financial year. Baillie Gifford’s Positive Change Fund appears to be a strong investment ethically with four impact themes indicated of “social inclusion and education, the environment, healthcare and quality of life, and addressing the basic and aspirational needs of the billions of people at the bottom of the global ladder.” The report also made reference to the excellent performance record of the company both before and during the Institute’s involvement.

Following discussion, the Sub-Committee decided to advance the second recommendation in the report, that of commissioning First Actuarial to conduct a review of the Investment Strategy later in the year, in order that it can be undertaken as soon as practicable, and prior to the Sub-Committee taking the decision on whether to proceed with the Baillie Gifford proposal.

(viii) Fossil Fuels: The Sub-Committee decided that the Investment Managers responsible for the Institute’s directly owned investments (Charles Stanley & Walker Crips) be instructed that there be no new investments in companies excluded from the FTSE All World ex Fossil Fuels index. The Sub-Committee also decided that other potential measures aimed at reducing the percentage of Institute investments in fossil fuels over time be given consideration in the context of the Investment Strategy Review referred to in (g) above.

(b) Accounts for Payment – October to November 2017: Authorisation of expenditure was given for the following items:

(a) Purchase Ledger Payments by BACS/Cheque – October to November 2017.

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(b) Direct Debits and Standing Orders – October to November 2017.

(i) Staff Overtime and Temporary Replacements: Authorisation of staff overtime and temporary replacement costs for the months of September to October 2017 was given.

(ii) Appointments and Resignations:

Appointments

None.

Resignations

None.

Contract Variation

Karen Nicholson Administrative Assistant (Organisation) Increase in hours from 28 per week to 30 hours from 1 October 2017.

(iii) Legal Support Officer: The Sub-Committee gave consideration to a report from the Assistant Secretary (Employment Relations) which highlighted the budgetary problems experienced in recent years regarding Legal Costs which are largely attributable to almost a fourfold increase in GTCS fitness to teach cases and the work in this regard undertaken by the Institute’s solicitors, Balfour & Manson. The solicitors had proposed a Service Level Agreement at a cost of £22,500 per month (exclusive of VAT) which would encompass all work in preparation for GTCS hearings but not attendance at the hearings themselves. However, the report suggested that most of the service offered under the arrangement could be provided by the creation of an in-house solicitor post which was recommended to be at Officer grade. Following discussion, the Sub Committee decided to proceed with the appointment, which it considered to be a first step in building an in-house legal provision aimed at maintaining the existing levels of service at reduced cost, and approved the Further Particulars for the new post with the intention that it be filled as soon as practicable.

(iv) Campaigns and Policy Research Assistant: The Sub- Committee gave consideration to a report from the

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General Secretary which, following the in-principle decision of Executive Committee to the recruitment of additional temporary staff to support extended campaign work, recommended as a first step the appointment of a Campaigns and Policy Research Assistant. It is anticipated that the duties of the post will primarily relate to the salaries campaign in the first instance and that the appointment will reduce the process workload of Officials, thereby enabling them to focus on their leadership roles in the campaign. The Sub Committee decided:

(1) That the appointment be initially on a fixed term basis for the period up to 30 June 2019 with a salary of approximately £34,000 per annum.

(2) That the funding for the post and related campaign activities be facilitated through a transfer of £100,000 from the Professional Fund to the General Fund in both the current financial year and in 2018/19.

(3) That the President and Vice-President participate in the appointment process for the post with Officials.

(v) Organiser (based in Glasgow): The Sub-Committee gave consideration to a report which outlined the current Institute organising agenda, the work undertaken by the existing staffing complement, and recommended that this could be improved by building capacity through the creation of a further Organiser post based in the Glasgow Area Office. The Sub- Committee approved the proposal.

(vi) Unite (Staff Group) Salary Claim 2018/19: The Sub- Committee was in receipt of correspondence dated 28 November 2017 from the EIS Unite (Staff Group) intimating a salary claim for 2018/19 which stated; “following consultation with Unite Staff Group members it was decided that a 3.5% consolidated increase on all grades (Unite emphasis) be requested for our 2018 annual salary negotiation claim.” The Sub-Committee, following discussion, agreed to offer a 3% consolidated increase in response.

(d) Local Associations Accounts 2016/17: The Sub-Committee noted with satisfaction an updated report which outlined the progress made to date by individual local associations in the submission of quarterly returns required by

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Headquarters to process financial transactions, reconcile Bank Statements to the accounting records, and prepare draft accounts for submission to the auditor. The report revealed that all 32 local associations 2016/17 accounts had been submitted to Haines Watts for audit.

(e) Probationer Recruitment - Subscriptions: The Sub- Committee gave consideration to a report which highlighted the problems experienced in obtaining bank account details of probationers prior to the end of the free membership period, and suggested a number of recruitment incentives aimed at addressing this whilst also recognising that extended free or discounted membership periods were being operated by other competitor education trade unions. The Sub-Committee agreed to undertake a survey of current student members on recruitment incentives, and that a further report be submitted prior to commencement of the 2018 probationer intake.

(f) EIS Financial Services Ltd: The Convener gave an oral report of the meeting of the Board of Directors held on 21 November. The principal item on the Agenda was a visit from Barry Stubbs of Threesixty Services which are the company’s compliance advisers. Mr Stubbs updated the Board on upcoming regulatory changes of which the most important is MiFID2 (Markets in Financial Instruments Directive) which is to be implemented on 3 January and confirmed that the company is very much on track to meet its requirements such as call recording and pre-sale suitability reports. The Directors had agreed at the meeting that a telephone based adviser be recruited to undertake the annual suitability requirements which would require to be undertaken for the approximate 900 clients who pay for the ongoing servicing of their investments, as otherwise the work of the existing consultants would be significantly disrupted. With regard to sales the company is marginally below budget for the current year but with several new consultants the Managing Director intimated he was confident that the position will improve by the year end in May.

(g) TUC/STUC Affiliation Fees: The Sub-Committee received a report which indicated that following the transfer of £150,000 from TUC affiliation fees to STUC affiliation fees in 2017, the Institute had been required to pay an additional £13,100. Whilst the transfer was indicated as being cost neutral the mechanisms adopted, whereby the additional STUC levy was charged on the basis of the Scottish membership and the TUC discount was allocated on the basis of its entire UK membership, were clearly disadvantageous to the Institute. Furthermore, with the

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transfer due to increase to £200,000 in 2018 the additional costs would increase to approximately £17,500. The General Secretary informed the Sub-Committee that he had already raised the matter informally with the TUC through the Depute General Secretary, Paul Nowak, and was due to meet with him in the following week. The Sub- Committee noted its serious concern regarding the issue which disadvantaged the Institute more than any other union in the UK, and authorised the General Secretary to continue discussions with the TUC and to report back to Executive Committee in January regarding possible actions.

(h) Property– Glasgow Area Office Update: The General Secretary informed the Sub-Committee of developments since the previous meeting. Advice received from the architects, Fouin and Bell, indicated the prospect of a successful appeal against the refusal of planning consent for a platform lift to the upper floors of the building was considered to be remote. It would, however, be possible to provide suitable disabled access to the basement and ground floors of the building through a combination of a platform lift to the rear of the building and a portable access facility at the front. The former would require planning consent but indications are that this would be granted. The General Secretary advised that if this proposal was progressed the plans for the internal configuration of the building would require to be reviewed in order that that all the public areas were located on the ground and basement floors. The Sub-Committee agreed that the appeal against the refusal of original planning consent be withdrawn and that the refurbishment project be continued, subject to planning consent being granted for a platform lift to the rear of the building serving the basement and ground floors.

(i) Edinburgh College FELA Branch – Possible Operation of Unofficial Bank Account: The Sub-Committee was circulated with correspondence dated 8 November 2017 from the Business Complaints Team of the Royal Bank of Scotland to the Accountant which indicated, as he was not an authorised signatory on the account, the Bank was unable to supply any information regarding it which had been requested. The Sub-Committee noted the position. The Sub-Committee was also circulated with correspondence, collectively from a number of branch Officials to the Vice- President dated 30 November, but received by her on 12 December. The Sub- Committee noted the correspondence and confirmed that the formal investigation into the matter be continued.

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(j) Strategy Sub-Committee: The Committee received a report of the Strategy Sub-Committee meeting held on 22 November 2017 and agreed as follows:

NB Updates decided on by Executive Committee are marked by an *.

(i) Pay Campaign Plan and Timeline: The General Secretary introduced a starter paper on the Pay Campaign 2018-19 to the Sub-Committee. It was noted that whilst the EIS would be supporting the STUC “Close the Gap” campaign in principle, the AGM in June 2017 had agreed that an EIS pay campaign should also be determined. It was noted that the campaign will have an impact on the workload of EIS staff and that the Finance Sub-Committee would consider appointing additional staff to support the Campaign.

Following a lengthy discussion, the paper was agreed, in principle. A three-phase campaign was therefore agreed with the timelines below on the understanding that moving from one phase to the next would be dependant on events, and thus the timings are fluid.

Phase 1

Phase 1 focusses on the merit of our 2018-19 pay claim, aimed dually at a public audience and our own members.

Phase 2

Phase 2 escalates the campaign towards a dispute if SG/COSLA fail to deliver a just settlement for teachers.

Phase 3

Phase 3 is triggered by the movement into dispute, and the campaign will be informed by events at that time.

* The Committee agreed to recommend that Local Association ABMs have the pay campaign as an item on their agendas. The Committee agreed to hold a plenary session on the pay campaign at the next Council meeting. The Committee also agreed to

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support a series of member surveys and member focus groups during the pay campaign.

(k) Council, November 2017 Resolutions:

(i) Digital Communication Strategy:

The following motion in the name of David Baxter, Dundee Local Association was carried:

“That this Council resolve to develop and implement a digital communication strategy.”

It was noted that work is already underway and that a paper will be produced for a future meeting of the Executive Committee.

(ii) EIS Website and EIS App for Members:

The following motion in the name of David Baxter, Dundee Local Association was carried:

"That this Council resolve to update and relaunch the EIS website as soon as practically possible. Further, that this Council resolve to develop and launch an EIS app for members."

It was noted that the EIS website is about to be re- launched and that a report regarding the launch of an EIS app will be produced for a future meeting of the Executive Committee.

(iii) Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) Campaign: The following motion in the name of Terri Connolly, South Lanarkshire Local Association was carried:

"That this Council resolve to affiliate to the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) Campaign."

It was agreed that this will be dealt with administratively.

(iv) Redistributive and Progressive System of Taxation: The following motion in the name of Helen Connor, North Lanarkshire Local Association was carried:

“That this Council support the STUC call for the Scottish Parliament to use its new tax and borrowing powers to establish a more redistributive and

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progressive system of taxation, which raises revenues for fully funding public services, such as Education, and puts an end to austerity driven recession and stagnation.”

It was noted that work is already underway and it was agreed to note as policy.

(l) AGM Resolution 2017: Child Refugees Admitted to the UK – Response from Home Office: The response from the Home Office was noted. It was agreed to forward this correspondence to the Equalities Committee.

(m) AGM 2021 Onwards: The following dates and venues were agreed:

2021 – 10, 11 and 12 June, Perth; 2022 – 9,10 and 11 June, Dundee; 2023 – 8, 9 and 10 June, Perth; 2024 – 6, 7 and 8 June, Dundee.

(n) FELA/ULA Subscriptions: An oral update was provided and it was noted that discussions will continue with both FELA and ULA, the broad terms of which were outlined. It was agreed to circulate a final Constitutional Amendments paper for the approval at the Executive Committee meeting in February, with a view to presenting proposed amendments to the March meeting of Council.

(o) Pupil Equity Funding Survey: The survey results, circulated for information, were noted. It was agreed that this paper be circulated to Council for information and its findings included in the Education Bill consultation.

(2) COMMITTEE REPORTS

(a) Employment Relations Committee, 6 December 2017: Ricky Cullen, Convener, confirmed that there were no items to be considered under Rule XIII.

(i) Memo re Musculoskeletal Ailments: Teachers of Nursery and Primary Classes – 2017 AGM Resolution: Following discussion around alternative ways in which to progress the resolution, the Convener of Employment Relations agreed to withdraw the request for additional funding for external research.

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(3) FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

(a) EIS-FELA Executive Committee:

(i) Correspondence with Interim Chair of the Glasgow Colleges Regional Board: The correspondence with the Interim Chair of the Glasgow Colleges Regional Board was noted. It was agreed to circulate this correspondence to the EIS-FELA Executive Committee for information.

(4) POLITICAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

(a) STUC:

(i) STUC Congress 2018:

(a) Delegates from Local Associations: It was decided to recommend to Council that the Local Association delegates to the STUC in April 2018 should be Martin Bayliss (Aberdeenshire LA), Murray Swan (Perth & Kinross LA), Michael Dolan (West Dunbartonshire LA) and Sue Burns (Midlothian LA).

It was further agreed to re-visit policy around the delegation structure at a future meeting of the Executive.

(b) Half-Page Advert: It was agreed to place a half-page advert in the STUC Congress Programme 2018 at a cost of £589.50.

(c) Nominations to STUC General Council: It was agreed to recommend to Council that the General Secretary, Nicola Fisher and Susan Quinn should be nominated as candidates for the STUC General Council 2018/2019.

(d) Exhibition Space: It was agreed to hire an exhibition space at the STUC 2018 Congress and for the costs to be covered by the Political Fund.

(e) Motions: The final wording of the three motions to be submitted to the STUC Congress 2018 on 1) Women at Work; 2) Public Sector Pay and Aging Workforce; and 3) Funding Education (& Poverty Attainment Gap) was agreed.

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(b) TUC:

(i) TUC & STUC Affiliation Fees: An oral report regarding recent communications and discussions in relation to the TUC & STUC Affiliation Fees was noted. It was agreed to write formally to both the TUC & STUC asking them to review their position. It was further agreed to bring a paper on TUC payments, options and benefits to the next meeting of the Executive for further consideration.

(c) Correspondence from Chris Keates, NASUWT: Correspondence from Chris Keates, NASUWT was noted. It was agreed, in relation to allegations made by NASUWT, that the General Secretary would raise this issue further with NASUWT and also with the STUC as a formal complaint. It was further agreed to write to NASUWT to raise concerns with ongoing issues on attempted “poaching” of members.

(d) Scottish Government

(i) Response from Scottish Government, Israel & Palestine Teaching Materials by GCRBLG: The response was noted. It was further noted that Education Scotland will provide an update once the next stage of development is determined. An oral report from a meeting of the Project Group on Israel Palestine Teaching Resource on Wednesday 13 December 2017 was noted. It was agreed to await the outcome from the next meeting in March 2018, before responding further to the Deputy First Minister.

(ii) Response on the Provisions of the Education (Scotland) Bill:

(a) Draft Response to the Scottish Government: Following amendment, the response to the Consultation on the Provisions of the Education (Scotland) Bill was approved. It was agreed to give powers to the Officials & Office-Bearers to finalise the document for circulation to Council.

(iii) Education Leaders’ Forum: It was agreed that the EIS President would be the nominee on the Education Leaders’ Forum. It was further agreed that the Vice- President would attend meetings in the President’s absence.

(e) Political Parties Spring Conferences: EIS Fringe Meetings and Stalls: It was agreed to provide Stalls at the following

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Political Party Spring Conferences: Scottish Greens, Saturday 17 March 2018 and Scottish Liberal Democrats, Friday 20 – Saturday 21 April 2018. It was agreed, also, to provide Stalls and Fringe Meetings at Scottish Labour, Friday 9 – Sunday 11 March 2018 and the Scottish National Party (date and venue to be confirmed). It was agreed that the EIS would not participate in the Scottish Conservatives Conference on Friday 2 – Saturday 3 March 2018.

(f) Invitations – Teacher Union Conference: It was agreed that the EIS should be represented at the British and Irish education union conferences as follows:

(i) UTU, 16 March 2018, Newcastle, Co. Down - Ex- President

(ii) TUI, 3-5 April 2018, Wexford – Ex-President

(iii) ASTI, 3-5 April 2018, Cork - Vice-President

(iv) INTO Northern Conference, 2-3 March 2018, Enniskillen – President

(v) NASUWT, 30 March-3 April 2018, Manchester – Vice- President

(vi) NUT, 30 March-3 April 2018, Brighton – President

(vii) SSTA, 18-19 May 2018, Crieff – President

(viii) UCU, 30 May – 1 June 2018, Manchester – ULA Executive Nominee

(ix) INTO, 2-4 April 2018, Killarney - President

(g) EIS Banner: Designs for a new lightweight EIS Banner were noted. It was agreed to proceed with ordering the new lightweight Banner, utilising the existing colour scheme.

(h) Scottish Parent Teacher Council 70th Anniversary Lecture – Request for Sponsorship: It was agreed to provide £1,000 sponsorship for this event.

(i) Positive Action in Housing – Winter Refugee Crisis Appeal – Request for Donations: It was agreed to donate £500 to this appeal.

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(j) Palestine Marathon Documentary – New Media Project: March 2018-May 2018 – Request for Financial Support: It was agreed to donate £400 to cover the cost of sponsoring the running bibs for this project.

(k) Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) – Membership (£900 per annum): An oral report was noted. It was agreed not to take-up membership of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI).

(l) Scotland Declaration on Human Rights: It was agreed to support the Scotland Declaration on Human Rights.

EDUCATION MATTERS

4. Arising from meeting of the Education Committee held on 5 December 2017, Council took the following decisions:

(1) CROSS SECTOR

(a) Scottish Government:

(i) Assessment and National Qualifications Group – Guidance on Changes to the National Qualifications: An online questionnaire to Secondary school representatives on the extent to which the guidance issued, in the interests of workload alleviation, by the Assessment and Qualifications Group on the delivery of altered N5 qualifications is being followed, had been conducted. A tabled paper with an analysis of responses was noted. Responses indicated the vast majority of schools were implementing changes as should be; however a number of concerns were still apparent. It was agreed to circulate the responses, as appropriate, to Local Association Secretaries for information.

(ii) National Improvement Framework:

(a) Local Authority Plans for SNSA Implementation: The Committee noted an analysis and the full detail of responses from Local Authorities around plans for the implementation of the new Scottish National Standardised Assessments. It was clear that there was no consistency of approach across the country. It was agreed to send copies of the individual responses to Local Association Secretaries, as appropriate, to inform discussions.

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(b) Consultation on measuring the attainment gap and milestones towards closing it: The Committee noted the EIS submission in response to the Consultation.

(c) NIF Quarterly meeting with Professional Associations. Assistant Secretary Bradley reported on the meeting of 8 November 2017. Similar discussions to those reported by the General Secretary had taken place. Assistant Secretary Bradley raised concerns that the emphasis on system data and the manner in which it was being proposed that this would be presented, was potentially dehumanising. Some useful elements were considered relating to characteristics; however caution around the use of language and the danger of over-emphasis on this kind of data was highlighted. The tool had been trialled by Scottish Attainment Challenge authorities, with a view to it being in use in 2018. Other matters discussed included an update around the norming study, SNSA training and the Scottish Government stance with regards to the cessation of other forms of standardised assessment. It was reported that concerns around the use of assessment windows had been highlighted and it was decided to share information received from local authorities on their implementation plans with ADES and Scottish Government.

(iii) Education and Skills Committee, Education Reforms Inquiry: The Committee noted the EIS submission to the Education and Skills Committee, on the proposed expanded role of Education Scotland and its performance over the past year.

(b) Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI): The Committee considered a request for a Representative from the EIS to serve on the Group. In addition to representatives from Industry, the Group valued esteemed voices from society. It was agreed that the serving President would be the EIS Representative on the Group.

(2) COUNCIL MOTIONS

(a) The Committee considered the terms of the Council Motion:

“That this Council commission independent research into changes in, and variations of, provision for learning support for pupils, with a view to determining:

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• The different criteria currently used by Local Authorities to establish students’ entitlement to learning support;

• Changes to these criteria over time – particularly how far these changes may have been impacted by budgetary, rather than educational factors – and consequent impacts in educational establishments for both pupils and staff;

• Variations in these criteria per authority, and consequent variations in the ability of educational establishments to meet pupils’ learning needs, as well as variations in the demands placed on staff”.

It was agreed to fund independent research (up to £10,000) and that the Education Committee would take forward the tendering process and revert to Executive for a final decision on funding.

The Committee received a copy of an Interim Report on the Provision for ASN in Scotland. Dr Jenny Spratt and Mishel Moriah of the University of Aberdeen, presented on the interim report to the Committee. 26 local authorities had agreed to participate, 13 of which had yet to respond to the questionnaire and these were being followed up. A clear message constant within the responses was the universal provision of ASN and the role of the classroom teacher in support.

The next stage of the research involved identifying potential interviewees from the responding participants. It was decided, where possible, to seek individuals who were ‘closer to the ground’ during this process. Thereafter the data would be collated and analysed with final discussion of the implications of the findings with the ASN Network. The Committee discussed the importance of teacher voice within the research and were of the view that efforts to capture this may need to extend beyond the ASN Network.

(3) INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

(a) SAGRABIS: The Vice Convener provided a written report of the meeting held on 7 November 2017. A key item highlighted by the Vice Convener was Respect for All, the anti-bullying strategy, which had been updated in light of changes in legislation. It was decided to circulate the link to the publication to the Committee. It was also noted that the Behaviour in Scottish Schools research was still in draft format, however publication was imminent.

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(b) Launch of Holyrood’s ASN provision in education briefing. A report from the Vice Convener of the ASN Network who had attended the briefing on 31 October 2017, was noted. The Committee expressed thanks to the Vice Convener and it was agreed to forward a copy of his report to the ASN Network for information.

(4) SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS

(a) The Committee considered applications for funding from the 2017-18 budget and it was decided to support the following organisations:

(i) Lyra Artspace, £1,000 (ii) Edinburgh International Festival, £1,000 (iii) Maggies Dundee, £1,000 (iv) Glasgow Music Festival, £1,100 (v) Dilliebane Theatre Company, £900.

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS MATTERS

5. Arising from meeting of the Employment Relations Committee held on 6 December 2017, Council took the following decisions:

(1) Benevolence:

(a) The Committee welcomed Carole Clark and Gair Brisbane of Standard Life Wealth. Following the presentation, the Committee asked a number of questions. Ms Clark and Mr Brisbane were thanked for attending and the Committee agreed that Standard Life Wealth be requested to provide an extended presentation in the new year which, having regard to ethical considerations, concentrates on the Benevolent Funds options to revert to direct ownership of investments managed by the company as suggested by Mr Brisbane. The Committee also agreed that members of Finance Sub Committee be invited to attend the presentation.

(b) The excerpt from the meeting on 1 November 2017 was approved as a correct record.

(d) Donations: The Committee noted donations from 2 Local Associations.

(e) Investment Monitoring – Standard Life Wealth: The Committee noted the investment monitoring report submitted by Standard Life Wealth for the Quarter to 30

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September 2017. The report indicated a positive return in the period of £46,800 (1.5%) comprising £31,400 of income paid into the Benevolent Fund plus an increase of £15,400 in the market value of the Fund’s charitable investments held by the company. Investment performance exceeded the benchmark by a margin of 0.1% - the Fund achieved a positive return of 1.5% in comparison to the benchmark of 1.4%.

(f) Applications for Assistance: Consideration was given to 13 applications. 2 grants from the Benevolent Fund which were authorised by the Convener and the Accountant were homologated. The Committee authorised grants. 1 grant was deferred until 5 January 2018 and 1 grant required more information.

Benevolent Fund £27,300

(2) Legal Affairs:

(a) The Minute of the meeting on 1 November 2017 was approved as a correct record.

(b) The Committee considered 22 cases.

(3) AGM Resolutions:

(a) The Committee noted progress on AGM Resolutions.

EQUALITY MATTERS

6. Arising from a meeting of the Equality Committee held on 8 December 2017, Council took the following decisions:

(1) Respect for All: The National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People. The Committee noted the publication for information, and attention was drawn to its potential for supporting efforts to challenge prejudice-based bullying. The Committee further noted that there is ongoing discussion with RespectMe and that an invitation had been extended to the new Director, Katie Rafferty, to attend a future Committee Meeting if possible, to elaborate on their response to prejudice-based bullying and their forthcoming challenging racism/homophobia guidance. The Committee agreed to forward aspects of the publication to all relevant Sub Committees, for information.

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(2) Impact of Poverty in Education Campaign:

(a) Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill. A copy of the Bill (as passed) was noted by the Committee. A discussion ensued during which members welcomed the Bill; however, concerns were raised regarding the lack of previous consultation with the trade union movement, and it was highlighted that legislation alone would prove ineffective without significant resource input. It was agreed that clarity was required around the full membership of the Poverty and Inequality Commission created by the Bill and the process to allow external input to ensure the Institute could feed into any future consultations. It was further noted that the first Delivery Plan for the Bill is expected on 1 April 2018 and that the EIS hopes to have involvement in its development.

(3) Gender Issues:

(a) AGM Resolutions 2016:

(i) Older Women and Work: Consultation

“That this AGM instruct Council to consult with older women (women aged 50-64 as defined by the STUC and in the Scottish Commission on Older Women Report – Older Women and Work: Looking to the Future) members on the issues which affect them at work and thereafter prepare specific guidance on supporting older women members in the workplace.”

(a) National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report and highlighted that clusters of activists had been briefed in relation to holding local launch events for the guidance, ideally in partnership with local WASPI groups. The Committee noted that an updated version of the guidance with revised graphics would be forthcoming. It was further noted that financial support can be made available from EIS Headquarters if necessary to support the local launch events. It was agreed to liaise with the Organisation Department to determine potential Organiser availability to support such activity.

(ii) Provision of Free Sanitary Products

“This AGM welcomes the initiative taken by South Lanarkshire College to provide free sanitary products to both staff and students.

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(a) National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report regarding the availability of free sanitary products. It was noted that the Department had sought clarity from the Employment Relations Department regarding availability within educational establishments that are part of PFI construction schemes, with National Officer McGinty confirming that he was unaware of any PFI buildings that were restricting the number of vending machines that dispense sanitary provisions. The Committee noted that free sanitary provisions are now being made available within EIS premises.

(b) A tabled paper, ‘Distributing period products in schools and colleges: Good practice guidance’ was provided to the Committee. The Committee agreed to granted powers to finalise the content of the guidance to the Convener, Vice-Convener and Officials. The Committee was invited to send any comments to the Department by Monday 11 December 2017.

(b) STEP Conference, 3 March 2018: Workshop on ‘Get it Right for Girls’: National Officer Jenny Kemp reported that the EIS had been invited to deliver a workshop at this event and that she had accepted and was seeking a volunteer to co-deliver the workshop. It was agreed to approach Dawn Wilson in the first instance. The Committee noted that either of EIS President Nicola Fisher or Ex-President Margaret Smith could potentially attend if required.

(c) International Women’s Day, 8 March 2018: A tabled paper was noted by the Committee. It was agreed to press ahead with holding a one-day choir event for women members, and to film content from this, to be used in various ways. It was agreed that National Officer Jenny Kemp contact the preferred song leader, Penny Stone, in the first instance with regards to identifying the most suitable room for holding the choir event within EIS Headquarters. The Committee agreed that depending on the level of interest from those wishing to attend the event it may be necessary to source an external venue if necessary. The Committee granted powers to the Convener, Vice-Convener and Officials to take forward future planning and organisation of this event.

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(d) Sexual Harassment:

(i) National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report on a project regarding challenging sexual harassment in schools. It was noted that there are two pilot schools participating in Zero Tolerance and Rape Crisis Scotland’s ‘Equally Safe At School’ project. It was agreed to contact each school for further details in the first instance. It was further noted that the EIS was likely to be asked to participate in an advisory group in the future.

(e) Review of the Gender Recognition Act 2004: Scottish Government consultation: A link to the publication was noted by the Committee. The Committee noted that the consultation closes on 1 March 2018. The Committee agreed to contact the STUC regarding their position on the reform of the Gender Recognition Act. It was agreed that a draft response to the consultation would be made available at the next meeting of the Committee.

(4) Anti Racist Issues:

(a) STUC St Andrew’s Day March and Rally against Racism, 25 November 2017:

(i) The programme advert was noted by the Committee. The Committee noted their disappointment in the lack of BME representation within the advert. Though this was a result of an editing error, it was agreed that the Department will strive to ensure diversity in any future images that it has published.

(ii) The cost of the advert was homologated by the Committee.

(b) BME Teachers:

(i) A tabled paper was noted by the Committee. It was agreed that the EIS would contribute information to the short term working group on diversity in the teaching profession, with any comments to be sent to the Department by 22 December 2017. The Committee granted powers to the Convener and Vice- Convener to finalise the content of the contribution.

(c) Show Racism the Red Card SAC Meeting, 29th November 2017. The Convener delivered an oral report of the meeting and highlighted that Show Racism the Red Card are currently operating at full capacity and would only be able to expand if more resources were to be made available.

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The Committee noted a substantial donation to Show Racism the Red Card from another Union to fund initial teacher training in Scotland. It was agreed to bring this to the attention of the Organisation Department. The Committee further noted the recent activity of the ‘Football Lads Alliance’ and a discussion ensued regarding what would be the most effective response to this group. It was agreed to ask the General Secretary to raise the issue of the FLA’s activity in Scotland with STUC General Council members in the first instance. It was also agreed to seek a further meeting with the Campaign Manager Nicola Hay.

(5) LGBT ISSUES

(a) Developing the LGBT+ Network: National Officer Jenny Kemp reported that a discussion paper is forthcoming and that it will be made available at a future meeting of the Equality Committee after consideration by Officials.

(b) STUC LGBT+ Workers’ Conference, 8-9 June 2018: National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report highlighting that the date of the Conference clashes with the 2018 EIS AGM. The Committee noted their disappointment at the scheduling conflict given the long-standing affiliation with the STUC and active participation in this conference. It was agreed to ask the General Secretary to write to the STUC expressing this dismay and to convey that this would be an unsuitable date in future years. The Committee noted that discussions re. identifying a delegation to attend the event and a servicing official would take place among Officials.

(c) Supporting Transgender Young People in Education: A new guidance document produced by LGBT Youth Scotland was noted by the Committee for information. It was agreed to forward the guidance to the LGBT+ Network.

(d) Stonewall Scotland School Report: Reception, 13 December 2017: The date of the reception taking place at the Scottish Parliament was noted by the Committee for information. It was agreed that those interested in attending the reception should notify the Department.

(6) DISABILITY

(a) STUC Disabled Workers’ Conference 2017, 18-19 November 2017: A written report from National Officer Jenny Kemp was noted by the Committee. The Committee noted that the delegation had been extremely active, discussing a wide range of issues throughout the weekend. It was further noted that there was a strong theme across the weekend relating to poor treatment of staff with cancer. It

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was agreed to Memo the Employment Relations department in the first instance to seek their views on the matter.

(7) EQUALITY REPS

(a) Recruitment and Training: National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report highlighting that she had met with the TUC Education Officer in order to discuss the current model of recruitment and training. The Committee noted that a poll had been circulated to members on the waiting list, which had shown that a two-day course over two Fridays in consecutive months would be the most favourable model to adopt, with no members wishing to attend Saturday training, and that dates would now be sought. The Committee further noted that a news bulletin for Equality Reps was in development. The Committee agreed to liaise with the TUC regarding the threshold for the minimum number of participants required for equality training.

SALARIES MATTERS

7. Arising from a meeting of the Salaries Committee held on 7 December 2017 Council took the following decisions:

(1) SNCT:

(a) 2018/19 – Pay Claim: A paper providing information and guidance on development of the 2018/2019 Pay Claim was considered by the Committee. Following discussion, it was agreed that the pay claim would be a straight percentage figure of 10% across all grades. It was agreed also that a copy of the paper on the 2018/2019 Pay Claim should be provided to the next meeting of Council for information.

(b) Correspondence to John Swinney: The Committee noted the content of the letter from the General Secretary to Mr Swinney which outlined EIS concerns relating to the Headteachers’ Charter.

(2) AGM Resolutions: The Committee noted progress on AGM Resolutions.

8. MOTIONS

(1) UN Anti-Racism Day: Anti-Racist Demonstration, Glasgow, Saturday 17 March 2018:

The following motion in the name of Donny Gluckstein, EIS-FELA was carried:

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“That this Council resolve that the EIS:

(a) supports the 17 March 2018 anti-racist demonstration in Glasgow on UN Anti-Racism Day;

(b) encourage EIS members to attend; and

(2) EIS Training Suite: Commemorative Plaque:

The following motion in the name of Jayne Rowe, Glasgow Local Association was defeated: "That this Council resolve to rename the training suite at EIS HQ the Lyn McClintock training suite. A plaque to commemorate her work in establishing and developing the EIS Learning reps should be displayed in the suite."

9. STUC 2018 CONGRESS: APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL DELEGATES: The following members of Council were appointed to the EIS delegation to the 2018 STUC Congress:

Sharon Kelly, East Renfrewshire Local Association; Megan McCrossan, North Lanarkshire Local Association.

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 9 March 2018.

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MEETING OF COUNCIL 9 MARCH 2018

Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on 9 March 2018 at 10.00 am in the Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor Hotel, Edinburgh.

1. SEDERUNT: President, Vice-President, Ex-President, General Secretary, Accountant, Assistant Secretaries Belsey, Bradley and Wilson; Officers Brown, Buchanan, Fallow, Flanagan, Franchetti, Gray, Keenan, Kemp, McCrossan and O’Neill; A Bamford, D Baxter, M Bayliss, A Bell, T Britton, P Burke, S Burns, M Callaghan, F Carey, A Cheyne, J Chrystal, N Cimini, H Collie, T Connolly, H Connor, R Constable, A Crosbie, R Cullen, P Currie, N Dasgupta, S Davidson, M Delargy, P Dixon, M Dolan, M Dunn, D Farmer, K Fella, C Finlay, A Fullwood, R Fyfe, A Gillespie, J Gillespie, S Gillespie, D Gluckstein, J Gourley, P Gower, F Gray, W Hamilton, J Hill, A Holligan, A Howie, H Hughes, G Hunter, J Hutchinson, E Imlah, V Inkster, J Kelly, S Kelly, H Kilgour, S Kordiak, G Laird, E Leitch, J Lennon, B Mackay, P Manley, A Mansur, A McAuley, L McBride, K McCalman, K McClelland, A McClure, C McCombie, J McDaid, D McDonough, J McKeown, J Miller, K Mitchell, K Mohammed, A Murphy, A O’Halloran, A Palmer, S Peter, S Quinn, B Ramsay, M Rideout, C Ritchie, G Roberts, C Rose, D Ross, J Rowe, A Skillen, S Slater, D Smith, D Smithyman, P Stewart, A Sutcliffe, J Swinburne, S Talboys, S Thomson, C Thorpe, N Watt, J Welsh, P Wishart, C Yates, I Young.

Apologies: Officers McGinty and Scott; N Anderson, M Bell, E Burns, A Gardiner, G Gillan, L Glen, J Gow, A Guy, G Jarvie, D Kenny, P Laverie, A Mackenzie, M McCrossan, J McCusker, P McEwan, J McIntyre, J McNair, D Morris, T Munro, M Paul, P Pearce, I Ross, I Scott, L Steele, S Tillman, C Weston.

2. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 26 January 2018 were noted.

EXECUTIVE MATTERS

3. Arising from meeting of the Executive Committee held on 23 February 2018 Council took the following decisions:

(1) FINANCE AND ORGANISATION

NB Updates decided on by Executive Committee are marked by an *.

(a) Investment Strategy Review Update: The Sub-Committee gave consideration to an Investment Strategy Update Report which it had commissioned from First Actuarial, and received a presentation from its author, Andrew Overend. Following the presentation and questions the Sub-

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Committee thanked Mr Overend for continuing his work on behalf of the Institute, and decided to implement the report’s recommendations as follows;

(ii) That the Institute now proceeds with the previously agreed disinvestment of £3,700,000, representing approximately 50% of its Professional Fund holdings from Standard Life Wealth equating to £3,700,000, and invests £2,665,000 of this in the Baillie Gifford Diversified Growth Fund, with the remaining £1,035,000 being invested in the Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equity Fund.

(iii) That the Institute disinvests its remaining Professional Fund holdings with Standard Life Wealth in September 2018 at the commencement of the new financial year and invests approximately 89% of the proceeds in the Baillie Gifford Positive Change Fund with the remaining 11% being allocated to Walker Crips for investment in its North American portfolio (Professional Dollar Fund).

(b) Investments:

(i) Baillie Gifford Ltd – Report for Quarter to 31 December 2017: The report for the Quarter to 31 December 2017 was noted. The report revealed there had been a positive return of £75,000 (1.5%) comprising an increase in the market value of the portfolio. Performance for the Quarter exceeded the benchmark of outperforming the UK Base rate by 3.5% per annum (net of fees) over rolling 5-year periods in respect of both Funds - by a margin of 0.3% for the Diversified Growth Fund and a margin of 0.6% for the Multi Asset Growth Fund. In monetary terms this translated to an outperformance of £21,000. A separate report indicated outperformance for the year to 31 December 2017 amounted to £193,000.

(ii) Walker Crips Ltd – Portfolio Performance Reports for the Quarter to 31 December 2017: The report for the Quarter to 31 December 2017 was noted. The report revealed there had been increases in the market value of the Institute’s investments held by the company over the period of £511,000 (7.3%) for the General and Professional Dollar Funds and £88,000 (2.3%) for the General Sterling Fund.

(iii) Walker Crips Ltd Investment Performance Monitoring: The Sub-Committee noted a report which detailed the

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investment performance of Walker Crips for the Quarter to 31 December 2017. Performance for the period fell short of the benchmarks on the North American Funds by £210,000 and fell short by £105,000 on the Sterling Funds. Overall performance was short of the benchmark by £315,000 (2.9%) in pure cash terms. After removing the effect of adverse currency movement over the period for the North American Funds, for which Charles Stanley has no control since the company has been instructed to place these investments in these particular markets, overall investment performance fell short of the benchmarks by £246,000 (2.3%)

(i) Purchase Ledger Payments by BACS/Cheque – December 2017.

(ii) Direct Debits and Standing Orders – December 2017.

(d) Staffing:

(i) Staff Overtime and Temporary Replacements: Authorisation of staff overtime and temporary replacement costs for the months of December 2017 and January 2018 was given.

(ii) Appointments and Resignations:

Appointments

None.

Resignations

None.

Contract Variation

Brenda McKinlay Administrative Assistant (Organisation). Reduction in hours from 35 per week to 28 hours from 1 February 2018.

(iii) EIS Unite (Staff Group) Salary Claim 2018: The Convener reported that the EIS Unite (Staff Group) had accepted the Institute’s offer of a 3% increase to all salary scale points with effect from 1 April 2018.

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(iv) Flexible Retirement – Request by Scheme member to access Pension: The Sub-Committee, for its part, approved a request from a pension scheme member to access their pension whilst remaining in the employment of the Institute in accordance with Rule 11.1 of the Scheme which states that if a member requests, and the Trustees and the Institute consents, the member may draw their pension whilst remaining in service if they meet the specified requirements. The Sub-Committee was advised that the consent of the Trustees was also required, and that the request would be submitted to their next meeting.

(e) Institute Accounts 2016/17:

(i) The Sub-Committee gave consideration to, and then approved the draft accounts for the year ended 31 August 2017 which had been submitted on a “near final” basis. The Sub-Committee gave powers to the Convener to authorise any subsequent amendments as a consequence of audit to permit the Institute’s Annual Return to the Certification Officer, which requires audited accounts, to be lodged as soon as is practicable.

(ii) The Sub-Committee decided to recommend to Executive Committee that in terms of Rule XXI.2(b) of the Constitution a transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Professional Fund should not be made for the year ended 31 August 2017.

(iii) The Sub-Committee also agreed that due to the significant impact application of the Financial Reporting Standard on Pension Fund Accounting (FRS 102) has on the published General Fund Accounts, a separate statement be produced for internal use which excludes such FRS102 adjustments and reinstates the actual pension costs incurred in the year by the Institute.

(f) Property – Glasgow Area Office Refurbishment: The Sub- Committee approved a tender in the sum of £161,638 exclusive of VAT which had been submitted by PM Sinclair Ltd for roof, external walls and window repairs to the Institute’s Glasgow Area Office. The tender was the lowest of 5 which had been submitted and the Sub Committee was advised the company had previously refurbished the Institute’s basement residential properties at Headquarters. The General Secretary updated the Sub-Committee on progress regarding the proposed internal refurbishment of

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the property and indicated it is likely, following meetings and discussions with Glasgow City Council, that planning consent for the revised project will be given, although the drawings will require refinement as the planning officers have intimated the proposed sub-division of a number of the larger offices in the building into smaller rooms would be opposed if included in the application.

The General Secretary advised the Sub-Committee that it may prove possible to undertake the internal refurbishment as an add-on to the original contract, thereby enabling a single continuous project to both minimise disruption to occupants and reduce costs, but this will be dependent on the receipt of planning consent and is therefore out-with the control of the Institute at this time.

The Sub-Committee confirmed that the Institute should proceed with the internal refurbishment on receipt of planning consent, that it should be to a high standard, and that there be as much flexibility over the final configuration of rooms and the layout as is possible given the planning constraints.

(g) First Actuarial Led – Provision of FRS 102 Pension Disclosures Fee Review: The Sub-Committee approved a quotation from First Actuarial for the provision of FRS 102 pensions disclosure information for the 2017-18 Institute Accounts in the sum of £6,828, exclusive of VAT. This represents an increase of £153 on 2016-17.

(h) Edinburgh College FELA Branch – Possible Operation of an Unofficial Bank Account: The Convener updated the Sub- Committee on progress since the previous meeting. The Branch Committee had indicated its members were unwilling to meet individually with the Convener and Assistant Secretary Belsey but had agreed to meet collectively. The proposal by the Branch Committee for a collective meeting had been accepted by the Convener and was scheduled to take place on 21 February. The Sub Committee, whilst noting the position, made clear that the meeting would comprise part of the formal investigation it had instructed to be undertaken at its meeting on 27 October 2017 and that participants could be questioned individually. The Sub-Committee also decided that the meeting be chaired by the President.

(i) Website Development Costs: The Sub-Committee agreed that costs incurred in development of the Institute’s new website, which indicatively are anticipated to be in the order of £50,000, should be capitalised and written off over a five-year period.

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(j) Elections Protocols Working Group: The Convener gave an oral report of the two meetings held to date by the Working Group and advised the Sub-Committee that, as a consequence of the increased use of electronic voting, it was considering the feasibility of shortening the annual Council and Committee election process by up to two months, thereby commencing it in February as opposed to December at present. The Convener further advised that the Working Group would not be in a position to report its recommendations regarding changes to the electoral timetable for consideration at the 2018 AGM; however, it requested that the Sub-Committee put forward to Executive Committee a change to the current Rule XII 2 - Nomination of Candidates - reducing the requirement for 5 members to sign the Nomination Form to 2. This, the Working Group felt, in conjunction with the acceptance of electronically submitted Nomination Forms, would facilitate candidates standing for elections from smaller and more remote establishments. The Sub Committee agreed to take forward the proposed Rule Change.

In discussion reference was also made to problems experienced by elected members who had been unable to obtain leave of absence to attend Council or Committee meetings due to difficulties in obtaining supply cover. Additionally, there was concern expressed over the time pressures on activists who had substantial local association commitments at local level combined with representation on national Committees and Sub-Committees, as it was felt the time pressures could hinder such activists from standing for election at national level. The difficulties were accentuated for members who represented local associations which were distant from Edinburgh. The Sub- Committee also agreed to bring the issues to the attention of Executive Committee.

(k) Members’ Subsistence & Expenses Claims: The Sub- Committee instructed Officials to draw up a protocol for consideration at a future meeting regarding the payment of travel and subsistence claims for members attending Institute meetings, training events and conferences.

(l) Political Fund Rules: It was agreed to make two changes to the Political Fund Rules requested by the Certification Office and to present these to Council for final approval.

(m) Strategy Sub-Committee: The Committee received a report of the Strategy Sub-Committee meeting held on 19 January 2018 and agreed as follows:

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(i) Pay Briefing Paper: A briefing paper which had been distributed amongst the Committee members was noted.

(ii) Communications Strategy: A communications update paper on the 2018 Pay Campaign was circulated amongst the members of the Strategy Sub- Committee. It was noted that the various press releases over the Christmas period had attracted good media attention and had prepared the ground for the formal launch of the 2018 Pay Campaign at the forthcoming January Council meeting. Following discussion, it was agreed to:

• name the campaign - Value Education Value Teachers;

• use the 10% image as the pay campaign logo;

• use the 10 key messages and #hashtag for Social media activity on reasons why teachers deserve a pay rise and justifying the 10% claim;

• provided pictures and vox pops of Council members supporting the campaign which can then be utilised on social media, EIS website, SEJ cover etc;

• seek national speakers from Council to attend Local Association Annual Business Meetings to discuss the pay campaign with members;

• issue brightly coloured posters, leaflets to school as soon as possible following the Council meeting;

• issue various brightly coloured postcards with the 10 key messages to be send to MSPs etc;

• tweet Monday to Friday 1 of the 10 reasons over a ten-day period to members;

• keep Local Associations up to-date and provided them with current literature and materials on the campaign;

• survey a targeted group of members for their views as the campaign progresses.

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Additional actions were agreed and the actions proposed in the Campaign Group Note were also approved:

• Continue focus on messaging members on the rationale of the campaign – ABMs, school meetings etc;

• Various campaign materials produced: badges, stickers, leaflets, staffroom magnets; mugs;

• Profile FAQs on web and social media;

• Cost Billboards on thematic messages;

• Lobby party conferences with bespoke leaflets;

• Template letter for members to send to Councillors and MSPs;

• Possible lobby of COSLA;

• Parental letter and leaflets to be produced with focus on Value Education arguments;

• Poster setting out to members the consequences on failure to vote;

• Same messaging for parents’ publicity to create new social media content that members can use in other campaigning conversations;

• Prepare for “Pay Protest” turnouts at May Day demos with printed banners;

• Next Bulletin after extended joint chairs process has begun;

• AGM street stall;

• Mapping exercise and Campaign timeline to be refreshed.

The Campaign Communications Report and the list of speakers at ABM meetings were noted.

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(n) Council, January 2018 Resolutions:

(i) UN Anti-Racism Day Demonstration, Glasgow:

The following motion in the name of Donny Gluckstein, EIS-FELA was carried:

“That this Council resolve that the EIS:

(a) supports the 17 March 2018 anti-racist demonstration in Glasgow on UN Anti-Racism Day;

(b) encourage EIS members to attend; and

It was noted that this event has been publicised and transport has been arranged.

(o) AGM 2018:

(i) Executive Committee: Proposed Motions: It was agreed to submit a motion on (1) Pay Campaign, (2) Poverty and the Impact of the Budget Cuts, (3) Democratic Schools within the context of the forthcoming Education Bill and (4) Workload Campaign, with powers being given to Officials and Office-Bearers to approve the wording.

(ii) AGM 2018: Proposed Changes to Rules and Standing Orders:

(a) A proposal was made to change Rule XII Section 2 (Nomination of Candidates) line 6; replacing the need to have five signatories supporting nominees to Council on nomination forms with two signatories. Following a vote, with 10 voting for and 10 voting against the proposed change to the Rules and Standing Orders was not carried.

(b) The following Rules and Standing Orders changes were approved for presentation to Council:

Section 1: SGA Subscriptions:

(1) Rule II 7. Membership of Local Associations

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Line 1 delete at start “Subject to the proviso contained in this Rule” Line 2 after “Scotland” insert excepting members of self-governing associations,” Line 4 delete all after “employment”

(2) Rule III 3. b Annual Subscription of Members

Line 2 delete “or self-governing association” Line 3 delete “or self-governing association”

(3) Rule III 2 (c) (Annual Subscription of Members)

Delete Rule III 2. (c) and insert;

“The annual subscriptions received by the Institute as represents the self-governing association subscriptions shall be included as General Fund income, with proportions allocated to the self-governing associations as set out in a scheme agreed by Council.”

(4) Rule VII 1. (Election of President & Vice- President)

Line 1 after “local” insert “and self- governing” Line 3 after “local” insert “or self-governing” Line 4 at start delete “called for the purpose” Line 4 after “local” insert or “self-governing”

(5) Rule VIII 4. (Annual General Meeting)

Line 3 after “education.” delete “Members employed in further and higher education cannot stand for election to the AGM as local association delegates”.

(6) Rule XII 1. (Election of the Council)

Line 13 after “next.” delete “Members employed in further and higher education cannot stand for election to Council as local association representatives”.

(7) Rule XIV 4. (Self-Governing Associations)

Delete Rule XIV 4. Insert;

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“Each self-governing association shall intimate to the General Secretary on or before 7 April in each year the Association Subscription applicable from 1 September in that year.”

(8) Rule XIV 5. (Self-Governing Associations)

Line 1 delete “any” and replace with “the” Line 3 delete “administration and control” and replace with “control and use” Line 3 after “of” insert “the proportion of” Line 4 after “subscription” insert “as allocated to them according to a scheme agreed by Council”

(9) Rule XVI

Delete Rule XVI 6.

(10) Rule XX 1. (Funds)

Line 1 after “members” insert and the self- governing subscription of members”

Section 2 AGM & Council; Delegates & Elections

(11) Rule VIII 4. (AGM Delegates)

Delete Rule VIII 4. and insert;

“The Annual General Meeting of the Institute shall consist of the Office Bearers of the Institute, members of the Council for the preceding year, delegates from local associations and Self-Governing Associations. The number of delegates to the Annual General Meeting to be elected by each association, subject to a minimum of three delegates for any one association shall be in proportion to the number of ordinary members of the association on 31 August of the preceding year and shall be calculated to bring the total to approximately three hundred and fifty-six, including the office bearers and the members of the Council. In the calculation of the representatives of associations, fractional parts of more than one half shall give an entitlement to one additional delegate. Delegates shall be elected by

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direct election of members of the association according to a scheme determined by the association and approved by the Council. Associations shall also make provision for the election of reserve delegates according to a scheme determined by the association and approved by the Council.”

(12) Rule VIII 5. Annual General Meetings

Add at end “Elections for the Self- Governing Associations delegates and reserve delegates shall be conducted by Headquarters according to a scheme approved by Council to enable the General Secretary to declare before 7 April a list of delegates and reserve delegates.”

(13) Rule IX 3. (d) Special General Meetings

Delete Rule IX 3. (d) and insert;

“A Special General Meeting of the Institute shall consist of the Office-Bearers of the Institute, the members of the existing Council, the delegates (and in the case of any vacancy, the appropriate reserve delegates) from the local associations and self-governing associations. In the case of a Special General Meeting fixed for a date not less than fifteen working days after 7 April and before the date of the Annual General Meeting, delegates from local and Self- Governing Associations shall be the elected delegates to the Annual General Meeting in that year.”

(14) Rule XII 1. Number of Council Members

Delete Rule XII 1.and insert;

“Number of Members - Each local association and self-governing association shall be represented by at least two members. The number of members to be elected by each local association and self- governing association shall be in proportion to the number of ordinary members on 31 August of the preceding year and shall be calculated to bring the

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number of members to 139 inclusive of the three office-bearers. The election of local association Council members will be by the ‘First Past the Post’ method of election, and on the basis of an equal number elected from those members employed in each of the primary/nursery and secondary/special sectors. Local association members who are not employed in either of these categories may stand in either category (but not both) as appropriate to their employment or area of professional expertise. Where a local association is entitled to return an odd number of Council members, the final member will be the runner up with the highest number of votes in either sectoral category. The election of self-governing association members shall be based on the STV method of proportional representation and will be governed by a scheme approved by Council. The members of the Council shall be elected annually and shall hold office from the close of one Annual General Meeting to the close of the next.”

(15) Rule XII 2. Nomination of Council Members

Line 4 insert after “associations” “and Self- Governing Associations” Line 7 delete “local”

(16) Rule XII 3. Eligibility to Vote

Line 1 insert after “association” “or Self- Governing Associations” Line 2 insert after “association” “or Self- Governing Associations”

(iii) Request for Stalls: It was agreed to give powers to the President and Officials to decide on all requests for stalls to the AGM 2018.

(iv) Costs for Dundee AGM Set and Audio Visual: Assistant Secretary Belsey provided an oral update on the additional funding costs for the Dundee AGM Set and Audio Visual. The costs were agreed.

(p) Timetable of Committee Meetings 2018-2019: The timetable of Committee Meetings for 2018-2019 was approved.

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(2) COMMITTEE REPORTS

(a) Equality Committee, 9 February 2018: Bill Ramsay, Convener, confirmed that there were no items to be considered under Rule XIII.

(i) Memo re Pay Campaign – Utilisation of EIS Choir: It was agreed to remit this memo to the Strategy Sub- Committee for further consideration.

(3) POLITICAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

(a) STUC:

(i) STUC Unions Into Schools Young Persons’ Fringe Event at Annual Congress - £75: It was agreed to homologate the sponsorship payment of £75.

(ii) STUC LGBT+ Workers’ Committee Fringe Meeting - £150: It was agreed to provide £150 sponsorship to assist with the costs associated with this fringe meeting.

(b) TUC:

(i) TUC Leading Change 2018/19: It was agreed to nominate Assistant Secretary Belsey to the ‘Leading Change’ training and development programme.

(i) 3rd EI World Women’s Conference, Marrakech, Morocco – 5-7 February 2018: A written report from the 3rd EI World Women’s Conference was noted. It was agreed to refer the report to the Equality Committee.

(d) NEU (NUT):

(i) Delegation to Palestine: 10-16 February 2018: An oral report from the President on the NEU (NUT) Palestine visit was noted as was the fact that a SEJ article was being prepared on the visit. It was further noted that a full delegation report will be circulated at a future meeting, once this becomes available.

(e) Invitations – Teacher Union Conference: It was agreed that the EIS should be represented at the ATL Annual Conference as follows:

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(i) ATL, 9-11 April 2018, ACC, Liverpool - President

(f) Scottish Solidarity with Kurdistan: Scotland Appeal to Build a Scottish School in Kobane – Request for Financial Support: It was agreed to donate £1,000 to this appeal.

(g) ISTP 2018, Lisbon, 21-23 March 2018: It was agreed to give approval for the General Secretary to attend this Summit.

(h) Atlantic Rim Collaboratory (ARC), San Diego, 8-11 September 2018: It was agreed to give approval for the General Secretary to attend this Summit.

(i) Stand Up To Racism March and Rally, 17 March 2018 – Request for Financial Support: It was agreed to donate £500 to this appeal.

(4) POLITICAL FUND RULES

Council approved that the Political Fund Rules of the union be amended as provided in the proposed amended rules (paper 1) before Council as recommended by the Executive Committee.

EDUCATION MATTERS

4. Arising from meeting of the Education Committee held on 6 February 2018, Council took the following decisions:

(1) The Committee received a presentation, as part of SCEL Professional Learning Scoping Exercise, from Yvonne McCracken, SCEL Associate, around the coherence and emerging future of professional learning across Scotland to inform national work following the Governance Review. The purpose of the exercise was to tap into the collective capacity of the teaching profession and capture the voices of teachers, professional organisations and other stakeholders across Scotland on a range of issues on Professional Learning with a report of the findings to be completed by the end of March. Members’ comments and views were invited. It was noted that a half-day event for an engagement workshop for EIS members had also been arranged for 17 March 2018 in Stirling with details to be publicised. The Committee thanked Yvonne for her presentation.

(2) Matters Arising from the Minute and not otherwise provided for on the Agenda:

(a) Scottish Education Council: The General Secretary provided a full report of the 2nd meeting of the Council held on 30th January. The main focus of the meeting was around Regional Improvement Collaboratives (RIC) and their

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approaches; it was noted that all RIC leads were on this body. Other agenda items were not overtaken and the next meeting was scheduled to take place in 8 weeks.

The Convener provided an update around the Regional Collaboratives and EIS links. Contact had been made with the 6 collaboratives to see what progress was being made. It was reported that some links had been contacted directly by their local authority, while others had not yet been advised how they may be involved. It was decided that the General Secretary would make contact with EIS links for the RICs to provide an update following the meeting of the Scottish Education Council. A support system was yet to be developed and it was noted that engagement varied in different areas; however, consideration would be given how to support Local Association Secretaries and adopt a consistency of approach.

(3) SECONDARY

(a) Digital Assessment Futures – Making a Difference: 12th Assessment Tomorrow Conference, 1 February 2018: The Committee homologated the attendance of the Convener at the Conference. The Convener reported that there was little reference to digital assessment until late on in the first session and little detail provided about how digital assessment might develop. Keynote presentations were by SQA, Scottish Government and Education Scotland. Case studies highlighted practice in North East College and West Calder High School.

(4) CROSS SECTOR

(a) Scottish Government:

(i) National Improvement Framework:

(a) Curriculum and Assessment Board (CAB): The Committee noted a written report of the first meeting of the Board held on 6 December 2017, from Assistant Secretary Bradley. The first part of the meeting outlined the new arrangements covering various groups. Thereafter the focus was around potential work themes for CAB which included key messages from inspection for Primary and Secondary around current development needs in the system. Another work theme was N4 -Way Forward and the Committee was asked to consider the alternative proposal for N4 and take a view on the future direction of the qualification. A copy of the confidential

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proposal paper was circulated to the Committee for consideration and return. Following discussion, it was agreed to proceed with discussions about an alternative model for N4, with various caveats. Comments would be submitted to the Chairs of the Group.

(b) Cyber Resilience Learning and Skills Action Plan Draft: The Committee noted the EIS response to the Scottish Government’s draft Learning and Skills Action Plan which underpins “Safe, secure and prosperous: a cyber-resilience strategy for Scotland” which had been co-produced across three departments.

(b) Education Scotland:

(i) SCEL Stakeholder Forum: The Committee noted that the proposed meeting for 30 January 2018 had not taken place and an email update providing a written summary was provided setting out some key aspects of work over the last couple of months. The Convener reported that SCEL were continuing with all workstreams going into the merger with Education Scotland and the Framework for Educational Leadership would continue. It was noted that recruitment for the Teacher Leadership Programme, Into Headship, In Headship and Towards Headship would be open until 31 March. It was agreed to keep a watching brief on the development of the merger. Reference was made to data on the breakdown of users of the Framework and it was decided to circulate this information if permission to share it was granted by SCEL.

(ii) Scottish Learning Festival 2018 Management Board: The Committee noted a report of the meeting held on 5 December 2018 from the Professional Learning Coordinator. Discussions had focussed on feedback from the 2017 event, maximising attendance, professional discussions and structure. A ‘Young People’s Village’ is to be included in 2018 to reflect the Year of Young People (YOYP), which is to be the overall theme. Sub themes include STEM, ‘Empowerment, collaboration and engagement’ or similar and young people’s participation in decisions that affect them. It was noted that a call for seminar proposals at the event had been received, with a deadline of 19 February. It was decided to consider proposals for the following: Impact of Poverty, Action Research Grants, and in conjunction with the Equality

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Committee, Myths of Immigration and/or Get it Right for Girls. Powers were given to the Convener and the Assistant Secretary to finalise the seminar proposals.

(iii) UK CC (Coaching) Qualifications/teaching physical education: An invitation to join a short life working group to create a briefing for all teachers to remind them of the parameters of their degree qualification and to work with Governing Bodies of Sport to ensure they understand the standards for teaching in Scotland, had been received. The first meeting was scheduled to take place on 21 May 2018 and it was agreed to invite Craig Carson to be the EIS Representative on this group.

(c) Scottish Teachers for Enhancing Practice (STEP) Conference: An invitation to sponsor the STEP annual conference on 3 March 2018 had been received. Sponsorship of the Conference was homologated. It was noted that assistance for the EIS stall at the Conference had been sought from Learning Representatives. Included in the sponsorship was a delegate place at the Conference. Members of the Committee were invited to express their interest in attending and it was agreed that the Vice Convener would attend.

(d) CPD:

(i) CPD Sub Committee: The minute of the CPD Sub- Committee held on 19 January 2018 was approved by the Committee. Arising from the minute the Education Committee took the following decisions:

NB Updates decided on by Education Committee are marked by an *

(a) Events update for session 2017-18: The Sub Committee noted the paper of events into which HQ had some input. It was agreed to ask Local Associations what is happening within their area in terms of professional learning to contribute to the overall paper in future and assist in sharing of practice.

(b) Globe Education Shakespeare Workshops: The Sub Committee noted an oral report from the Professional Learning Co-ordinator, stating that Globe have indicated they would return to Scotland to facilitate more workshops. It was noted that timing was an issue last year and it was agreed to consider recruiting delegates

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before receiving confirmation of workshops to ensure maximum uptake.

(i) UWS Coaching and Mentoring: The Sub Committee noted that there is a significant difference in the number of Learning Reps who start the course compared to the number who complete it. The Sub Committee further noted comments from two Learning Reps who had undertaken the course, who each had differing views of the relevance of some aspects of the course. It was agreed to possibly open it up to other members such as Principal Teachers and Head Teachers, School PL Co-ordinators and to members in FE. It was decided to forward this suggestion to Education Committee for approval in light of potential costs to EIS. The proposed subsidised cost of £825 person is based on a minimum of 10 participants.

* It was decided to explore alternative options for delivery of this type of programme in the first instance.

(ii) Education Scotland on SAGRABIS outcomes: The Sub Committee noted an oral report from the Convener and the suggestion of some future joint training with Education Scotland on approaches to behaviour management given the findings of the recently-published BISS research. It was agreed the Convener would communicate with Maggie Fallon of Education Scotland at their meeting on 31 January on the best way to take this forward. The Sub Committee decided to give powers to the Convener and Assistant Secretary Bradley to explore this further.

(iii) Place2B: In response to a suggestion that the EIS delivers joint training with Place2B, the Sub Committee noted that this charity lists on its website Teach First (though not operational in Scotland) as one of the organisations that it works with and that it offers training and support to Teach First graduates in England, among other

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teachers. It was further noted that Place2B delivers programmes costing £8000 to improve pupil, teacher and parent wellbeing. It was decided to give powers to the Convener and Assistant Secretary Bradley to explore further the feasibility of any future training.

(iv) Respect Me: The Sub Committee noted that Katie Rafferty, Director, had been invited to attend an Equality Committee meeting to discuss the focus on prejudice-based bullying within the recently published anti- bullying framework. The Sub Committee raised some concerns about Respect Me’s definition of bullying. It was agreed to investigate possibilities of possible joint training after Katie Rafferty’s meeting with Equality Committee.

(d) National Learning Rep Network, vacancies: It was noted that there are more vacancies than last year. It was suggested that Masters level training may not in fact be required and may be putting members off applying to become Learning Reps. It was agreed to explore options around a different, potentially less onerous training method. It was agreed to communicate with TUC Education in the first instance then report back at the next meeting of the Sub Committee.

(e) Learning Rep Course 2018: The Sub Committee noted that an induction date had been scheduled for 5th February; however, currently we do not have the minimum 10 participants required for TUC training. It was decided to continue to try and recruit students and enter into discussions with TUC Education about a potential alternative model to the one currently provided by the University of the West of Scotland.

(f) Learning Rep Protocol: The Sub Committee noted the draft protocol which has been to Education Committee. The Sub Committee noted three main issues to address and agreed they all sit within the individual Local Association’s Learning Agreement and at the Secretary’s discretion. The Sub Committee decided the £75 termly payment should remain for multi- establishment Learning Reps who support

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members in school and further decided that F&HE Learning Reps should be given the same.

(g) Learning Rep E-bulletin: The first Learning Rep e- bulletin was noted by the Sub Committee. It was further noted that the Learning Reps had found the termly e-bulletin interesting and helpful. It was agreed that it should be circulated to Local Association secretaries also.

(h) Scottish Union Learning: Learning fund courses: The Sub Committee noted an oral report from the Professional Learning Co-ordinator, who explained some courses had been over subscribed and had created a basis for ongoing demand applications. It was agreed to approach course providers directly to ascertain costs of meeting any unmet ongoing demand within EIS budget and thereafter to bring a proposal to the March meeting of Education Committee for consideration of future professional learning provision.

(i) General Subjects: ISTP actions, union-led PL on Equity: The General Secretary explained that discussions had taken place with Fiona Robertson, Scottish Government Director of Learning, who is very supportive in taking this forward. It was decided Equality Reps and Learning Reps would have involvement in this. The Sub Committee agreed the proposal in principle. The proposal, which would require increased staffing, would now be further developed and costed.

* Education Committee approved submission of a bid for funding.

(j) SCEL commissioned Professional Learning scoping exercise: The Sub Committee noted a tabled paper which the Professional Learning Co- ordinator addressed. It was further noted that there was a tight timescale surrounding this. It was decided to take this forward and invite Yvonne McCracken, SCEL Associate to the next meeting of the Education Committee.

(ii) Research Grants: The Committee noted the timeline and was provided with an outline of potential themes, which was approved, for the EIS Action Research Grants for 2018-19.

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(e) European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), “Strengthening the Capacity of Education Trade Unions to Represent Teachers’ Professional Needs in Social Dialogue: The Committee homologated the attendance of Assistant Secretary Bradley and the Convener at the Conference scheduled to take place 5-6 March 2018 in Berlin.

(5) COUNCIL MOTIONS

(a) The Committee considered the terms of the Council Motion:

“That this Council commission independent research into changes in, and variations of, provision for learning support for pupils, with a view to determining:

• The different criteria currently used by Local Authorities to establish students’ entitlement to learning support;

It was agreed to fund independent research (up to £10,000) and that the Education Committee would take forward the tendering process and revert to Executive for a final decision on funding.

The Committee had previously discussed the importance of teacher voice within the research and were of the view that efforts to capture this may need to extend beyond the ASN Network. Discussions with the researchers had been ongoing about how best to capture this. It was agreed that the EIS would convene a focus group of classroom teachers at the meeting of March Council to gather data which could be an addendum to the research report. The research was reported to be on track.

(b) Council Motions to the Annual General meeting 2018: The Committee gave consideration to Council Motions to the Annual General Meeting 2018 to be submitted to Council on behalf of the Education Committee by 23 February 2018. Themes suggested included Regional Collaboratives and their role in supporting pedagogy; Health and Wellbeing in

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the Curriculum; Small Data; Professional Learning for Teachers; and National Assessments. It was agreed to give powers to the Convener and the Assistant Secretary on the wording of motions.

(6) AGM 2017 RESOLUTIONS

(a) Holocaust Education: CfE

“This AGM requests that Council supports a campaign to establish Holocaust Education as a feature of the Curriculum for Excellence.”

Information had been received from the University of the West of Scotland in response to a request in progressing the resolution on Holocaust Education. A recent article on Holocaust Education, “Why teaching this generation about past genocides remains important” in the GTCS Scotland magazine by Vision Schools Scotland (University West of Scotland) was noted. A request for support had been received from the University of the West of Scotland to subsidise teacher attendance at a Holocasut education seminar at Yad Vashem, Jerusalem in July 2018.The Committee decided that the request was beyond its remit and it was agreed to refer this matter to the Executive Committee.

(7) INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

(a) SAGRABIS, Short Life Working Group on Recording and Monitoring Incidents of Bullying in Schools. The Vice- Convener reported on the meeting held on 31 January 2018. The Group considered amendments to the current SEEMiS Bullying and Equalities Module; however only minor changes could be made in time for August. A number of matters remained unresolved and it was agreed to seek clarity from the Employment Relations Department around the legal implications of these.

(8) SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS

(a) The Committee considered applications for funding from the 2017-18 budget and it was decided to support the following organisations:

(i) Catherine Wheels Theatre Company, £1,000; (ii) Edinburgh Competition Festival 2018, £1,000; (iii) Lyth Arts Centre, £960; (iv) Music for Youth, £1,000; (v) Imaginate, £1,000;

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(vi) Edinburgh International Book Festival, £3,000

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS MATTERS

5. Arising from meeting of the Employment Relations Committee held on 7 February 2018, Council took the following decisions:

(1) Benevolence:

(a) The excerpt from the meeting on 6 December 2017 was approved as a correct record.

(b) Donations: The Committee noted donations from 2 Local Associations.

(c) Benevolent Fund Accounts 2016/17: The Committee approved the draft Trustees’ Report & Accounts of the Fund for the year ended 31 August 2017 and, following completion of the audit, for their submission to the Office of the Charities Regulator (OSCR). The Committee also noted that the accounts would be submitted, for information only, to the AGM of the Institute.

(d) Standard Life Wealth Investment Report for Quarter to 31 December 2017: The Committee noted the investment report submitted by Standard Life Wealth for the Quarter to 31 December 2017 together with accompanying reports on investment performance. The investment report indicated that a positive return in the period of £144,100 (4.6%) comprising £16,900 of income paid into the Benevolent Fund plus an increase of £127,200 in the market value of the Fund’s charitable investments held by the company. Investment performance exceeded the benchmark by a margin of 0.5% or £16,000- the Fund achieved a positive return of 4.6% in comparison to the benchmark return of 4.1%. Performance for the year ended 31 December 2017 exceeded the benchmark by 2.7% - equivalent to £79,000 based on the opening market value of investments at 1 January 2017.

(e) Applications for Assistance: Consideration was given to 14 applications. 3 grants from the Benevolent Fund which were authorised by the Convener and the Accountant were homologated. The Committee authorised 12 grants. 2 applications did not meet the criteria.

Benevolent Fund £27,500

(2) Legal Affairs:

(a) The Minute of the meeting on 6 December 2017 was approved as a correct record.

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(b) The Committee considered 21 cases.

(3) AGM Resolutions:

(a) The Committee noted progress on AGM Resolutions. The Committee agreed to survey local association secretaries on the incidence of musculoskeletal ailments (such as lower back pain and sciatica) to ascertain whether appropriate adjustments are being made by employers to accommodate the occupational health needs of sufferers from these ailments.

(4) Council Motions to AGM 2018:

(a) Memorandum from Organisation Department: The Committee agreed to submit motions to Council for inclusion in the 2018 AGM. Powers were given to the Convener, Vice Convener, and Officials to produce the final wording for motions.

EQUALITY MATTERS

6. Arising from a meeting of the Equality Committee held on 9 February 2018, Council took the following decisions:

(1) AGM 2018:

(a) The Committee noted that the deadline for the submission of Council Motions to the next AGM is 10am on 23 February 2018. A discussion ensued regarding the possible themes for motions, including unaccompanied refugee children’s access to education; supporting non-binary and transgender pupils and members; disability equality; and sexual harassment in schools. It was agreed to give powers to the Convener, the Vice-Convener, Assistant Secretary Bradley and National Officer Jenny Kemp to finalise the theme and wording of the remaining motions.

(b) The Committee noted possible themes for a Fringe Meeting to be held at the next AGM. It was agreed to incorporate sexual harassment, older women in the workplace, and women’s state pension inequality into an overall theme pertaining to women’s issues. As is normal, the target audience of the event would be all delegates attending the AGM.

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(2) GENDER ISSUES:

(a) International Women’s Day, 8 March 2018: Choir event, 27 January 2018:

(i) A tabled report from National Officer Jenny Kemp was noted by the Committee. The Committee noted that there was 100% attendance, and a good geographical spread of delegates. National Officer Jenny Kemp highlighted that the aims for the day were met in terms of providing a positive experience for engaging members whilst producing engaging content about women’s equality to share on International Women’s Day 2018. The Committee noted the tremendously positive event feedback. The Committee noted the potential utility in involving a choir as part of the 2018/19 pay campaign. It was agreed to Memo the Executive Committee in this regard as well as consideration of the participation of the choir in the AGM.

(ii) A short film clip highlighting the day’s events was shown and the Committee noted that a finalised version is forthcoming. The Committee agreed to explore all possibilities for incorporating the footage into future events such as the AGM.

(iii) The Committee noted that the unveiling of the statue remembering Mary Barbour will take place in Govan on 8 March 2018 to coincide with International Women’s Day. The Committee noted that a formal invitation to attend is anticipated and agreed that those interested in attending should contact the Department in the first instance.

(b) STUC Women’s Committee:

(i) A report from Assistant Secretary Bradley was noted by the Committee. Assistant Secretary Bradley highlighted that the Committee had reviewed the 2017 Women’s Conference, and it was noted that the Conference had been a success. The Committee further noted that a letter from Kirkcaldy Foodbank had been received thanking delegates for their collection of sanitary products over the course of the Conference, to which the EIS had contributed. The Committee noted that the 2018 Women’s Conference will be held in the Caird Hall, Dundee on Monday/Tuesday 29/30 October. The Committee discussed the possibility of utilising the EIS Women’s Choir at the next Women’s Conference or at the

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forthcoming social event and agreed to contact the STUC Women’s Committee in the first instance regarding this. The issue of affiliates ensuring diverse delegations had been reiterated and it was agreed that the EIS would continue to incorporate this aim into its communications around the conference.

(c) Equally Safe at School Advisory Group. Invitation: The Working Group noted an invitation for an EIS representative to attend meetings of a new advisory group on the topic of violence prevention. It was agreed that T Connolly would be the EIS representative on the group.

(d) Review of the Gender Recognition Act 2004: Scottish Government Consultation: The Committee noted that a consultation on gender recognition is now open and closes on 1 March 2018. The draft response was noted by the Committee and some minor amendments suggested. The Committee further noted that the response is based on the need to balance more support for transgender and Non- Binary people with continued efforts to challenge gender stereotypes and sex discrimination. The Committee agreed that any additional comments would be emailed to the Department no later than Wednesday 14 February 2018. It was further agreed to share the draft response with the FELA Education & Equalities Sub Committee.

(e) Invitation to join the Close the Gap Advisory Group: The Committee noted the invitation to join the advisory group on women’s equality in the labour market. It was agreed that Assistant Secretary Bradley could attend these quarterly meetings if no other member of the Committee were able to do so. It was decided to seek clarification regarding the advisory group meeting dates, and to circulate these to the Committee in order to ascertain member availability, with the possibility of alternating attendance depending on the level of interest from members.

(f) 'The road to closing the gender pay gap in Scotland'. Close the Gap's conference, Glasgow, 15 February 2018: The event details were noted by the Committee. It was agreed that P Currie would attend the Conference, with any others wishing to attend to email the Department in the first instance.

(g) WASPI demonstration, Friday 2 March2018, Aberdeen. Approval of subsistence costs: The Committee agreed to cover subsistence costs and overnight accommodation for S Burns and T Connolly to attend the WASPI demonstration in Aberdeen on behalf of the EIS. The Committee noted that

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this was approved due to the exceptional circumstances of accommodation being more cost-effective than securing rail travel and that this does not set a precedent for future attendance at demonstrations.

(4) ANTI RACIST ISSUES:

(a) AGM RESOLUTIONS 2017: Islamophobia: EIS Advice:

“This AGM instructs Council to refresh EIS advice on Islamophobia, taking into account political and legal developments since the last iteration of our advice on Islamophobia.”

The Committee examined the content of the draft policy document in detail and made amendments. The Committee agreed these suggestions and powers were granted to Officials, the Convener and the Vice-Convener to finalise content. It was agreed to share the draft policy with FELA Officials and for an updated version to be made available at the next meeting of Council.

(b) Scottish Government Race Equality activity:

(i) The Race Equality Adviser’s report was noted by the Committee. It was agreed to write to both Kaliani Lyle and Angela Constance MSP regarding the issues raised in the report and to signal the Institute’s expectation of being involved in taking these matters forward.

(c) Child Refugees Admitted to the UK: The Home Office response to a letter from the EIS was noted by the Committee for information. The Committee agreed to forward the response to the Anti Racist Sub Committee.

(d) UAF Holocaust Memorial Day Event, University of Edinburgh, 24 January 2018. Assistant Secretary Bradley delivered an oral report detailing key elements of her speech given whilst attending the event. The Committee noted that the theme of the speech was on the ‘power of words’ and referred to the trade union movement’s responsibility to counteract hate speech. Assistant Secretary Bradley highlighted the importance of anti-racist education especially given the current political climate. The Committee agreed to explore the possibility of publishing the speech in a future issue of the SEJ.

(5) LGBT ISSUES

(a) Getting it Right for LGBT Teachers event, 7 February 2018: National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report. The

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Committee noted that the event was well attended by EIS activists. It was agreed to seek a full report of the event for the next meeting of the Committee.

(b) Children in Scotland in partnership with LGBT Youth Scotland: ‘An Equal Future’ Conference, 1 February 2018: The cost of the event was homologated by the Committee.

(i) The Committee noted that the deadline for the submission of motions to the next STUC LGBT Workers’ Conference was 9th March 2018. The Committee considered potential themes and it was agreed to organise a meeting of the LGBT+ Informal Network to further discuss this. Powers were granted to the Convener, National Officer Jenny Kemp and Assistant Secretary Bradley on the wording of the two motions, to be finalised before the next meeting of the Committee.

(ii) The Committee noted that the date of the Conference clashes with the 2018 EIS AGM which would create difficulties in forming a delegation. The Committee agreed to make Local Association Secretaries aware of this scheduling conflict and ask them to consider this when making nominations for the delegation. It was noted that the General Secretary had written to the STUC asking for this conflict to be avoided in future.

(d) Pride event, Glasgow, Kelvingrove Park, July 14-15. The dates of the event were noted by the Committee. It was agreed to hold a stall at the event, and to publicise dates to LGBT Network members, and ensure the EIS continues to maintain a strong presence at the event.

(e) Scotland Office LGBT Reception, 22 February 2018. An invitation to the event was noted by the Committee. The Committee noted that the date of the reception clashes with the film screening and panel discussion to be held by STUC LGBT Workers’ Committee. It was agreed to circulate the invitation to the LGBT Network.

(6) DISABILITY

(a) Disability Rights UK. Organisational membership fee: The organisational membership fee was homologated by the Committee.

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(7) EQUALITY REPS

(a) Equality Reps Meeting: The Committee discussed the possible format for the next meeting of Equality Reps. It was agreed to hold a residential training event after the summer break. It was also decided to explore the possibility of organising a single day event that would be held at EIS Headquarters before the end of the 2017/18 session. It was further agreed that members of the Committee would submit any suggestions relating to meeting content to the Department in the first instance.

SALARIES MATTERS

7. Arising from a meeting of the Salaries Committee held on 8 February 2018 Council took the following decisions:

(1) Pay Agreement 2017/18 (SNCT Pay Agreement Circular SNCT 17/61):

(a) Career Pathways: Following discussion, the Committee agreed to seek to establish an SNCT Working Group to examine career progression pathways. This SNCT Working Group would be separate from, and additional to, the Extended Joint Chairs which would continue to examine the issue of pay. Discussions would take place at the Extended Joint Chairs on the remit and membership of this SNCT Working Group.

(2) AGM Resolutions:

(a) Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (Named Person Act): The Committee considered 2 resolutions regarding this issue: one from the 2016 EIS AGM and the other from the 2017 EIS AGM. The Committee then considered a paper from National Officer McGinty which outlined the lack progress through the Scottish Parliament of the Children and Young People (Information Sharing) (Scotland) Bill. Following discussion, the Committee noted that no further work could be undertaken by the Committee on these resolutions before September 2018 at the earliest. The Committee also agreed to carry forward the resolutions to be part of the work of the Salaries Committee for 2018- 2019.

(b) NPA 60 to NPA 65 -68: Campaign: The Committee considered the provisional decisions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal, published on 30 January 2018, into two parallel judgements involving the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and the Judges. These cases considered age discrimination compliance and increases to the normal pension age. The Committee then considered a summary paper from the

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advising solicitors, Dentons, which outlined the options for the EIS and suggested timings by Dentons. Following discussion, the Committee agreed to defer making a final decision on seeking actuarial advice until these legal cases have concluded, and further consideration given to any legal pathways open to the Institute. The Committee further agreed to ask the Scottish Government for its comments of these cases and to inform the Scottish Government that it may need to bring forward changes to the 2015 Teachers' Pension Scheme once the courts have disposed of these matters.

(3) Council Motions to AGM 2018:

(a) Memorandum from Organisation Department: The Committee agreed to submit 3 motions to Council for inclusion in the 2018 AGM. Powers were given to the Convener, Vice Convener, and Officials to produce the final wording for motions relating to seeking a reduction in class contact time, age discrimination and increases to the normal pension age, and better career progression pathways for Scotland’s teachers.

(4) Pensions:

(a) Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme Advisory Board – Nomination of members 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2021: Following discussion it was agreed that the Convener of the Salaries Committee, Louise Wilson (Assistant Secretary), Ricky Cullen and Jayne Rowe, would serve as members of the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme Advisory Board from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2021.

(b) Scottish Teachers’ Pension Board – Nomination of members 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2021: Following discussion, it was agreed that National Officer McGinty and Drew Morrice would be nominated to serve on the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Board from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2021.

8. MOTIONS

(1) Renewal of the Royal Charter:

The following motion in the name of Andrew Fullwood, Glasgow Local Association was defeated:

“That this Council instruct the Executive Committee to prepare a report on the status and renewal of the Royal Charter in the event of the death or abdication of the current monarch”.

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9. PROPOSED MOTIONS TO BE PRESENTED TO THE 2018 AGM IN THE NAME OF COUNCIL

The following motions were approved to be presented to the Standing Orders Committee, and if deemed competent, to be presented to the 2018 AGM in the name of Council:

(1) Impact of the Occupation on Palestinian Children: Campaign

“That this AGM call on Council to highlight the impact of the occupation on Palestinian children and to campaign, in particular, on the issue of child prisoners in the Occupied Territories.”

(2) Pay Campaign

“That this AGM commends the work being done in the current pay campaign and instructs Council to continue to communicate regularly with members on all aspects of the pay campaign; to send bespoke communications to address different member groups such as younger members; to escalate the intensity of the campaign; building towards a state of “strike readiness”; and to prepare for a ballot of the members during the next session.”

(3) Poverty and the Impact of the Budget Cuts

“That this AGM instructs Council to highlight the impact of local authority budget cuts on pupils from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.”

(4) Democratic Schools

“That this AGM asserts support for democratic and collegiate schools by instructing Council to campaign for the establishment of representative School Committees in every school to lead on pedagogic and curriculum areas, alongside Finance Committees to exercise oversight of delegated school finances in order to empower schools, the profession, and for the promotion of sound learning.”

(5) Workload Campaign

“That this AGM resolves to continue to campaign on excessive workloads for teachers and to seek further action from all relevant bodies to tackle this issue.”

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(6) Regional Collaboratives

“That this AGM instructs Council to monitor the development of Regional Improvement Collaboratives. Such monitoring should focus on:

(a) the extent and quality of the pedagogical support being offered to schools, including fully resourced opportunities for professional collaboration within and across local authorities; (b) the impact, if any, on School Improvement Plans and collegiate decision-making on their content; (c) the impact, if any, on teacher and Headteacher workload.”

(7) Data-gathering and analysis

“That this AGM, in response to the growing emphasis by Scottish Government on the need for schools and teachers to collect and analyse data on their pupils and students using digital platforms, instructs Council to:

(a) produce guidance for members on data-handling; (b) reaffirm and publicly highlight the importance of a holistic approach to the education of children and young people; (c) reaffirm and publicly highlight the purpose of assessment and the role of teacher-led formative assessment as a generator of valuable learner-centred data for teachers; (d) monitor the workload impact of new developments in digital data collection and analysis.

(8) School Inspections

“That this AGM instructs Council to assess the current range of arrangements for HMIE inspection of schools and to update the relevant EIS advice accordingly.”

(9) Health and safety legislation

“That this AGM instruct Council to campaign with the STUC and other interested organisations for the repeal of Section H2 in Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998 in order that all health and safety legislation affecting Scotland’s teachers and other workers is devolved to the Scottish Parliament.”

(10) Asbestos

“That this AGM call on the Scottish Government to publish comprehensive and detailed advice regarding the management and removal of asbestos in Scotland’s schools, colleges and universities.”

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(11) Promoting disability equality

“That this AGM resolves to instruct Council to:

(a) reaffirm its commitment to promoting equality for disabled people in educational establishments; (b) raise the profile of issues affecting teachers with disabilities, through various means; (c) develop a plan to encourage greater activism amongst disabled members; and (d) encourage local authorities, colleges and universities to take robust approaches to equality monitoring, to better enable them to meet the needs of disabled staff, and support such staff to access their rights, including to reasonable adjustments.”

(12) Unaccompanied refugee children and young people: access to education “That this AGM calls on Council to: (a) reaffirm the rights of unaccompanied refugee children and young people to education; (b) gather information on the gaps in educational provision for this group; and, (c) lobby the Scottish Government, Scottish Funding Council and local authorities for improved provision.”

(13) Sexual harassment in schools “That this AGM instruct Council to

(a) review EIS advice on sexual harassment in schools, and Further and Higher education; and

(b) campaign to raise awareness of sexual harassment in schools, and Further and Higher education.”

(14) Non-Class Contact Time in Primary Schools

“That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on the operation of non-contact time in Primary schools and thereafter issue advice to all primary members.”

(15) Age Discrimination and Increases in Normal Pension Age

“That this AGM reaffirm its opposition to the conscription of members from NPA 60 to NPA 67/68 and instruct Council to continue to campaign for a negotiated settlement with the Scottish Government whereby those members so conscripted may retire earlier than the provisions of the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme currently provide, such campaign to include, in its furtherance, the procurement of legal and actuarial advice where deemed necessary.”

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(16) Career Progression Pathways

“That this AGM instruct Council to negotiate with the other sides of the SNCT to establish additional career progression pathways for Scotland’s teachers beyond the top of the main grade scale.”

10. PROPOSED CHANGES TO RULES AND REGULATIONS AND STANDING ORDERS:

The following proposed change to Rules, Regulations and Standing Orders were approved to be presented to the Standing Orders Committee and, if deemed competent, to be presented to the 2018 AGM in the name of Council:

(b) The following Rules and Standing Orders changes were approved for presentation to Council:

Section 1: SGA Subscriptions:

(1) Rule II 7. Membership of Local Associations

Line 1 delete at start “Subject to the proviso contained in this Rule” Line 2 after “Scotland” insert excepting members of self- governing associations,” Line 4 delete all after “employment”

(2) Rule III 3. b Annual Subscription of Members

Line 2 delete “or self-governing association” Line 3 delete “or self-governing association”

(3) Rule III 2 (c) (Annual Subscription of Members)

Delete Rule III 2. (c) and insert;

(4) Rule VII 1. (Election of President & Vice-President)

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Line 1 after “local” insert “and self-governing” Line 3 after “local” insert “or self-governing” Line 4 at start delete “called for the purpose” Line 4 after “local” insert or “self-governing”

(5) Rule VIII 4. (Annual General Meeting)

Line 3 after “education.” delete “Members employed in further and higher education cannot stand for election to the AGM as local association delegates”.

(6) Rule XII 1. (Election of the Council)

Line 13 after “next.” delete “Members employed in further and higher education cannot stand for election to Council as local association representatives”.

(7) Rule XIV 4. (Self-Governing Associations)

Delete Rule XIV 4. Insert;

“Each self-governing association shall intimate to the General Secretary on or before 7 April in each year the Association Subscription applicable from 1 September in that year.”

(8) Rule XIV 5. (Self-Governing Associations)

(9) Rule XVI

Delete Rule XVI 6.

(10) Rule XX 1. (Funds)

Line 1 after “members” insert and the self-governing subscription of members”

Section 2 AGM & Council; Delegates & Elections

(11) Rule VIII 4. (AGM Delegates)

Delete Rule VIII 4. and insert;

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(12) Rule VIII 5. Annual General Meetings

Add at end “Elections for the Self-Governing Associations delegates and reserve delegates shall be conducted by Headquarters according to a scheme approved by Council to enable the General Secretary to declare before 7 April a list of delegates and reserve delegates.”

(13) Rule IX 3. (d) Special General Meetings

Delete Rule IX 3. (d) and insert;

“A Special General Meeting of the Institute shall consist of the Office-Bearers of the Institute, the members of the existing Council, the delegates (and in the case of any vacancy, the appropriate reserve delegates) from the local associations and self-governing associations. In the case of a Special General Meeting fixed for a date not less than fifteen working days after 7 April and before the date of the Annual General Meeting, delegates from local and Self-Governing Associations shall be the elected delegates to the Annual General Meeting in that year.”

(14) Rule XII 1. Number of Council Members

Delete Rule XII 1.and insert;

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proportion to the number of ordinary members on 31 August of the preceding year and shall be calculated to bring the number of members to 139 inclusive of the three office- bearers. The election of local association Council members will be by the ‘First Past the Post’ method of election, and on the basis of an equal number elected from those members employed in each of the primary/nursery and secondary/special sectors. Local association members who are not employed in either of these categories may stand in either category (but not both) as appropriate to their employment or area of professional expertise. Where a local association is entitled to return an odd number of Council members, the final member will be the runner up with the highest number of votes in either sectoral category. The election of self-governing association members shall be based on the STV method of proportional representation and will be governed by a scheme approved by Council. The members of the Council shall be elected annually and shall hold office from the close of one Annual General Meeting to the close of the next.”

(15) Rule XII 2. Nomination of Council Members

Line 4 insert after “associations” “and Self-Governing Associations” Line 7 delete “local”

(16) Rule XII 3. Eligibility to Vote

Line 1 insert after “association” “or Self-Governing Associations” Line 2 insert after “association” “or Self-Governing Associations”

11. DEGREE OF FEIS 2018: Recommendations by the Board of Examiners for the award of the degree of FEIS were approved.

12. ELECTION OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT 2018-2019: The President declared that the following had been elected in terms of Rule VII:

(i) EIS President 2018/2019 Alison Thornton was the sole candidate for President and is therefore elected President for 2018/2019.

(ii) Vice-President 2018/2019 Bill Ramsay was the sole candidate for Vice-President and is therefore elected Vice-President for 2018/2019.

13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 11 May 2018.

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MEETING OF COUNCIL 11 MAY 2018

Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on 11 May 2018 at 10.00 am in the Hilton Grosvenor Hotel, Edinburgh.

1. SEDERUNT:- President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Accountant, Assistant Secretaries Belsey, Bradley and Wilson; Officers Brown, Buchanan, Fallow, Flanagan, Franchetti, Gray, Keenan, Kemp, McCrossan and Scott; A Bamford, D Baxter, M Bayliss, A Bell, M Bell, T Britton, P Burke, E Burns, M Callaghan, A Cheyne, J Chrystal, N Cimini, H Collie, T Connolly, H Connor, R Constable, R Cullen, P Currie, N Dasgupta, M Delargy, P Dixon, M Dunn, D Farmer, K Fella, C Finlay, A Fullwood, R Fyfe, G Gillan, A Gillespie, J Gillespie, L Glen, D Gluckstein, J Gourley, P Gower, A Guy, W Hamilton, J Hill, A Holligan, A Howie, H Hughes, G Hunter, J Hutchinson, V Inkster, G Jarvie, J Jowers, J Kelly, S Kelly, D Kenny, *S Kordiak, P Laverie, E Leitch, P Manley, A McAuley, L McBride, K McClelland, C McCombie, J McCusker, P McEwan, J McKeown, J McNair, J Miller, K Mitchell, K Mohammed, D Morris, T Munro, A Murphy, A O’Halloran, A Palmer, M Paul, S Peter, S Quinn, B Ramsay, M Rideout, G Roberts, C Rose, I Ross, J Rowe, I Scott, A Skillen, S Slater, D Smith, D Smith, G Smith, D Smithyman, P Stewart, E Swinley, S Talboys, S Thomson, C Thorpe, N Watt, J Welsh, C Weston, P Wishart, C Yates, I Young.

Apologies:- National Officer McGinty; N Anderson, J Black, S Burns, F Carey, A Crosbie, S Davidson, M Dolan, A Gardiner, S Gillespie, J Gow, F Gray, E Imlah, M Kelly, H Kilgour, J Lennon, M Backay, A Mansur, A McClure, M McCrossan, J McDaid, J McIntyre, P Pearce, C Ritchie, D Ross, L Steele, A Sutcliffe.

Those members marked * submitted apologies for lateness.

2. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 9 March 2018 were noted.

EXECUTIVE MATTERS

3. Arising from meeting of the Executive Committee held on 27 April 2018 Council took the following decisions:

(1) FINANCE AND ORGANISATION

NB Amendments or updates agreed by Executive Committee are marked by an *.

(a) Investments:

(i) Standard Life Wealth Report to 31 December 2017:

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The report for the Quarter to 31 December 2017 was noted. The report revealed there had been a positive return of £151,000 (2.0%) which comprised an increase of £47,900 (0.6%) in the market value of the Institute’s total non-charitable investments held by the company and £103,100 (1.4%) of dividend income (net) paid over to the Institute.

(ii) Standard Life Wealth Ltd – Investment Performance Monitoring: The Sub-Committee noted a report detailing the investment performance of Standard Life Wealth for the Quarter to 31 December 2017. Performance for the Quarter was below the appropriate benchmark by a margin of 2.1%. The overall weighted return for the Quarter fell short of the composite index benchmark by £161,000. In respect of the Year to 31 December 2017 performance of the non-charitable Funds managed by Standard Life Wealth fell short of the benchmark by a margin of 1.9%, with the overall relative return for the year being £147,000 below the index. The Sub- Committee noted that £3,700,000 of the Professional Fund investments included in the reports had now been transferred from Standard Life Wealth to Baillie Gifford as part of the strategy review decisions.

(iii) Charles Stanley Ltd – Portfolio Performance Reports 3 Months to 28 December 2017: The report for the three months to 28 December 2017 was noted. The report revealed there had been a positive return of £543,000 (4.3%) comprising an increase of £430,000 (3.4%) in the market value of the Institute’s investments held by the company over the period and dividend income paid over to the Institute of £113,000 (0.9%).

(iv) Charles Stanley Ltd Investment Performance Monitoring: The Sub-Committee noted a report which detailed the investment performance of Charles Stanley for the 3 months to 28 December 2017. Performance for the period fell short of the benchmarks on the three Funds by margins ranging between 0.4% and 1.1%. Overall performance was below the benchmark by £65,000 (0.5%).

(b) Annual Return 2017 – Submission to Certification Officer: The Sub-Committee noted the Institute’s Annual Return for the year to 31 August 2017 which had been submitted to the Certification Officer on 9 February, and the related Statement to Members required under the Trade Union

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Reform and Employment Right Acts 1993 which is to be included in the March edition of the SEJ.

(c) Authorisation of Expenditure – January to February 2018: Authorisation of expenditure was given for the following items:

(a) Purchase Ledger Payments by BACS/Cheque – January & February 2018.

(b) Direct Debits and Standing Orders – January & February 2018.

(d) Staffing:

(i) Staff Overtime and Temporary Replacements: Authorisation of staff overtime and temporary replacement costs for the month of February 2018 was given.

(ii) Appointments and Resignations:

Appointments

Laura O’Neill - Legal Officer 5 March 2018.

Resignations

None.

(iii) Contract Variation:

Anita Stewart - Administrative Assistant Organisation Department (F&HE). Moves from 33.75 hours per week part-time contract to 29 hours per week part- time contract from 1 April 2018.

(iv) Living Wage Accreditation: The Sub-Committee noted with pleasure that the Institute is now an Accredited Living Wage Employer. Whilst salaries in respect of the Institute’s own employees have always been in excess of the living wage, arrangements were made over the past few months to ensure that regular service providers to the Institute such as cleaners and caterers have also committed to paying their staff at least the living wage.

(v) Temporary Area Officer: After hearing the General Secretary outline current staffing pressures, the Sub- Committee agreed to his suggestion that the contract of the Temporary Area Officer, which currently has an

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unspecified end date but requires the serving of two months notice by either the employee or the Institute for it to be terminated, be continued beyond the return to work of the substantive post-holder until 30 June 2018, in order to create additional capacity around the pay campaign and to address an excessive workload issue which had arisen within the Officer group. The General Secretary further advised the Sub- Committee that an update on the staffing situation would be provided at the next meeting.

(e) Edinburgh College FELA Branch – Possible Operation of an Unofficial Bank Account: The Sub-Committee gave consideration to the report by the Vice-President into the possible operation of an unofficial EIS Bank Account by the EIS FELA Edinburgh College Branch. The report concluded the formal investigation which the Sub-Committee had instructed to be undertaken at its meeting on 27 October 2017. Following discussion, the Sub-Committee decided:

* (a) That instructions be re-issued to all EIS FELA Branches and the EIS FELA Executive advising that there should be no EIS FELA Branch bank accounts or EIS-FELA controlled bank accounts as there is no structure in place to audit these accounts to meet statutory duties. The advice would make clear the need to close any existing or historical accounts, with balances transferring as deemed appropriate and that a procedure should be put in place for HQ to facilitate the need for any branch to process cash amounts e.g. solidarity collections.

(b) That a communication be issued from the Sub- Committee to the Branch Secretary intimating that her conduct, in replying in ambiguous and misleading terms to correspondence, fell below the standard of openness and collegiate practice that the Institute would wish to see.

(f) Travelling and Subsistence Expenses Protocol: The Sub- Committee approved for submission to Executive Committee a proposed Travel and Subsistence Expenses Protocol which is intended to be brought into use from the commencement of the new Committee cycle in August 2018.

(g) Probationer Recruitment - Subscriptions: The Sub- Committee gave consideration to an updated report which included the results of a recent survey of student members

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on recruitment incentives, and outlined possible methods by which the recruitment process for student members and probationers could be both streamlined and further incentivised. It was noted that the Constitution of the Institute has no category defines as probationer members. Following discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed:

(a) That current student members who will become probationary teachers in August 2018 will have their membership automatically transferred into full membership which will be free up until December 2019. Provision of bank details to the Institute during this period will secure a further nine-month period to 30 September 2020 at a 50% discount on subscriptions.

(b) That newly qualified teachers (NQT’s) taking up post in August 2018 continue to enjoy free membership to 31 December 2018, and that provision of bank details by this date will entitle NQT’s to a 50% discount on membership subscriptions until 30 September 2019.

(c) That further investigations be undertaken into the development of an insurance incentive package in conjunction with EIS Financial Services/Cornmarket with it being intended that a presentation be made to the Sub-Committee at its next meeting.

(d) That, also in conjunction with EISFS/Cornmarket, further consideration be given to the possibility of a free gift, such as a power bar with appropriate logos, being provided on provision of bank details by probationer members.

(h) Membership Benefits – Countdown Discount Scheme Update & Potential Renewal 2019: The Accountant reported that this item required to be deferred until the next meeting as the requested updated scheme usage statistics had not been provided by the company.

(i) EIS Financial Services Ltd:

(a) Oral Report of Directors’ Meeting 20 February 2018: the Convener provided an oral report of the Board of Directors meeting held on 20 February 2018. The main item was consideration of the company’s 2018/19 Business Plan and Budget which, following the recent expansion of the number of financial advisers from 4 to 6, was for a year of consolidation and review prior to any consideration of further developments. The Convener also reported that in

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relation to the current financial year management accounts to 31 January indicate that the company is now slightly over its profits target.

(b) Interim Dividend 2017/18: it was reported that, based on the estimated profits for the 6-month period to 30 November 2018, a payment of £63,956 had been made to the Institute as an interim dividend for the year to 31 May 2018, as determined by the prescribed formula.

(j) Salaries Campaign Expenditure: The Sub-Committee noted a report which outlined expenditure incurred to date on the campaign and agreed that updates be provided to future meetings as the campaign progresses.

(k) Dates of Next Meetings:

(a) Special Meeting – Institute Planned Expenditure 2018/19 – Friday 28 April 9.30am.

(b) Additional Business Meeting - Tuesday 8 May 10.00am.

(l) Travelling and Subsistence Expenses Protocol: The Travelling and Subsistence Expenses Protocol was approved for adoption from August 2018 and it was agreed to monitor its implementation to ensure no detriment on the subsistence allowances.

(m) Finance Sub-Committee: The Committee received a report of the Special Finance Sub-Committee meeting held on 27 April 2018. The Sub-Committee gave consideration to a draft Statement of Planned Expenditure for 2018/19 together with a projection of out-turn expenditure for 2017/18 based on the first seven months actual costs. The Sub-Committee approved a number of changes to the circulated statement which reduces the Operating Deficit from £394,000 to £341,000, and decided to make the following recommendations to Executive Committee:

(a) Donation of Subscriptions to Benevolent Fund: That there be no donation of members’ subscriptions in 2018/19.

(b) Allocation of Subscriptions to the Professional Fund: That there be no allocation of subscriptions to the Professional Fund in 2018/19.

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(c) Determination of 2018/19 Members’ Subscriptions: That members’ subscriptions be increased by 4.0% (3% plus 1%) from 1 September 2018. The Sub-Committee noted that the increase amounts to 44p per month for full time members paying by direct debit with the maximum increase payable being £5.50 in respect of members paying annually by cheque.

* The Committee approved the recommendations.

(n) Political Fund Rules: It was noted that formal approval of the Political Fund Rules had been received from the Certification Office.

(o) Pay Campaign:

(i) Strategy Sub-Committee, 28 March 2018:

(a) Pay Campaign:

(i) Report on Pay Negotiations: The members of the Strategy Sub-Committee received an oral update on the Extended Joint Chairs meeting held on Tuesday 27 March 2018. It was noted that a 3/2% increase had been offered by COSLA and instantly rejected by the Teachers’ side. It was further noted that all EIS members were to be issued with copies of the EIS press release on the rejection and that they were to be advised that negotiations with COSLA and the Scottish Government are still on-going.

(ii) Report on Pay Campaign including AGMs: The Sub-Committee was informed that the attendance at the local ABMs were generally higher than normal and that the awareness and importance of the campaign was rising amongst members. It was noted, from the discussions taking place, that rural areas required more targeted resources and staff to help with the campaign. It was also noted that campaign resources for younger members should also be developed. The Sub- Committee was also informed that lobbies had been held at both the Scottish Green Party Conference in Greenock and the Scottish Labour Party Conference in Dundee. The “Lobby your Councillor” was noted as having been a successful endeavour, including a COSLA Lobby, by EIS members,

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just before the pay negotiations meeting at the Paisley Townhall on Tuesday 27 March.

(iii) Communications Strategy Update: The Communications Report was noted. The Sub- Committee members were advised that the campaign key messages were being shared via Twitter, the EIS website, photo images, SEJ, campaign bulletin, the 10 to 10 video (which is also going to be made available on the EIS website) and PowerPoint presentations. Following discussion, it was agreed to reserve a two-week package, (around the AGM) to use outdoor advertising for the pay campaign on various billboards situated in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and 4 other Scottish locations at a cost of £20,000.

(iv) Memo re Pay Campaign – Utilisation of EIS Choir: It was noted that the choir had been for a specific purpose and that video material would be utilised at the AGM. It was agreed that there was potential to use a similar approach around the pay campaign and that an element of “choir / singing /performance” should be incorporated into public activities.

(b) Pay Campaign – Next Steps: The following next steps in the Pay Campaign were agreed:

• Organise a campaign meeting for Local Association Secretaries and Area Officers/Organisers at the end of April/beginning of May;

• Organise a Focus Group;

• Organise Billboard Campaign;

• Move from lobbying councillors to lobbying MSPs by postcard and email;

• Issue postcards to schools for a campaign activity e.g. cards being sent to MSPs;

• Continue to survey members on the campaign;

• Develop testimonials materials on website, including targeting public figures around “valuing a teacher”;

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• Develop virtual presentation for members in rural areas

• In line with STUC plans, urge all local associations to attend May Day demonstrations with full pay campaign materials.

* An oral update was provided by the General Secretary and it was noted that almost all the agreed next steps have already been actioned or were in hand, with the following updates:

A parental leaflet had been produced and was being distributed, with a more generalised variation also to follow for use at public events.

The May postcard campaign would take the form of a “Message the Minister” and would focus on school responses.

Active consideration was being given to a major demonstration in the Autumn.

It was further agreed to seek the permission of Council to hold a Special Meeting of Council before AGM to consider an Emergency Motion to AGM on the Pay Campaign if requested by the negotiators, with powers being granted to the President to convene such a meeting.

(p) AGM 2018:

(i) Amendments to Motions: Motions for the AGM 2018, as found competent by the Standing Orders Committee, were considered and the following amendment was agreed to be submitted in the name of the Executive Committee for the approval of Council:

Motion 15 (Paper C) “That this AGM resolve to ensure that video conference facilities are made available for all EIS committees and reps' training events at national level, and to actively promote such facilities for local and regional events.”

EIS-FELA

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Amendment

Replace ‘ensure that’ in the first line with ‘investigate and report to Council on the feasibility of’ and replace ‘are’ in the first line with ‘being’.

(ii) Executive Committee Report to AGM 2018: The Executive Committee section of the report to the AGM was approved, with powers given to Officials and Office-Bearers to edit and update as appropriate. The Committee noted the fact the Complaints Procedure Working Group had yet to complete its work but that it was hoped to overtake this within the current session.

(iii) AGM 2018: Arrangements/Fringe Meetings: Assistant Secretary Belsey provided an oral update on matters relating to the organisation of the AGM on 7-9 June 2018 which was noted. It was agreed to give powers to the Officials and Office-Bearers to approve the stalls at the AGM.

(q) Investigating Fiscal Measures: 2017 AGM Resolution: Following minor amendment, the paper was approved.

(r) Charitable Status of GTC(S): 2017 AGM Resolution: The paper was noted.

(s) EIS Teacher Education Partnership Informal Network: The paper was approved.

(t) Complaints Panel: An oral report in relation to a complaint, which was not upheld, was provided.

The General Secretary further indicated that he had received a memo from the Complaints Panel recommending that HQ support be provided to a named Local Association to address generalised issues identified by the Panel. The Committee noted that this would be taken forward by the General Secretary.

(2) COMMITTEE REPORTS

(a) Employment Relations Committee, 21 March 2018:

(i) Additional Meeting Request: It was agreed to give permission for an additional meeting of Employment Relations Committee to take place following Council on 11 May 2018.

(b) Equality Committee, 23 March 2018:

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(i) Additional Meeting Request: It was agreed to give approval to establish an Ad-Hoc LGBT+ Sub- Committee.

(i) Additional Meeting Request: It was agreed to give permission for an additional meeting of the Salaries Committee to be held in the event of developments in the pay negotiations.

(3) FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

(a) Memo from EIS-FELA Executive re EIS-FELA Constitutional Amendments: EIS-FELA Constitutional Amendments which were approved by the EIS-FELA Annual Conference held on 16 March 2018 were approved.

(4) POLITICAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

(a) STUC:

(i) STUC/TUC Affiliation Fees: The paper and its recommendations were approved:

(1) to note that it is considered unlikely that any request submitted by the Institute for a review of the TUC/STUC transfer of resources mechanism prior to 2020/21 would have a successful outcome.

(2) As it is recognised by the TUC in particular that the current position regarding affiliation fees is an unintended consequence of the mechanism adopted for the transfer of resources agreement the Institute formally requests both the TUC and STUC that this be addressed as a priority as part of the 2020/21 review of the arrangement.

(3) approves the changes to the recording of membership statistics as detailed in this report.

(4) agrees to pursue with the TUC the possibility of “in-kind” services which may help in mitigating the detrimental impact of the refund mechanism.

(ii) STUC Meeting with First Minister, 5 March 2018: An oral report of the STUC Meeting with the First Minister on 5 March 2018 was noted. It was noted that the main issues discussed were 1) Protocol around pay deductions due to adverse weather; 2) Fair Work Convention; 3) Facility Time, and 4) The Economy.

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(iii) STUC General Council, 7 March and 4 April 2018: An oral report of the STUC General Council meetings held on 7 March and 4 April 2018 was noted.

(iv) STUC Congress, Aviemore, 15-18 April 2018: Assistant Secretary Belsey introduced a report from the STUC Congress which was noted.

(b) Education International:

(i) ETUCE Committee Meeting, Brussels, 19-20 March 2018: An oral report was provided by the General Secretary.

(ii) ISTP 2018, Lisbon, 22-24 March 2018: A written report from the ISTP 2018 was noted. It was agreed to circulate a more customised report to Local Association Secretaries for their information.

(c) Invitation from American Federation of Teachers (AFT) for General Secretary to attend their National Convention 2018: July 12-16th, David L Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: It was agreed to give approval for the General Secretary to attend the AFT National Convention 2018.

(d) Report of Meetings:

(i) Scottish Education Council, 3rd Meeting, 21 March 2018: An oral report was provided by the General Secretary.

(e) Lobbying Act (Scotland): An oral report was provided by Assistant Secretary Belsey. It was noted that the EIS had registered under this Act and that lay member lobbying did not fall under the regulations.

(f) Positive Action in Housing: Room for Refugees – Refugee Hosting Programme: It was agreed to circulate to Local Association Secretaries and to publicise via social media.

(g) Scottish Refugee Council: Creative Communities Festival Strand – Request for Sponsorship (£4,000): It was agreed to provide £4,000 sponsorship to the Scottish Refugee Council for the Creative Communities Festival Strand on the basis that this donation be utilised across the Country.

(h) Nelson Mandela Centenary Gala Dinner, Friday 24 August 2018, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow – Invitation to Host a Table: It was agreed to host a table at a cost of £990.

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(5) PAY CAMPAIGN

(a) Pay Campaign Update: The General Secretary provided an oral update in relation to the pay campaign.

EDUCATION MATTERS

4. Arising from meeting of the Education Committee held on 20 March 2018, Council took the following decisions:

(1) CROSS SECTOR

(a) Scottish Government:

(i) National Improvement Framework

(a) NIF Professional Association: The Convener reported on the meeting held on 7 February 2018. An update had been provided on the BGE dashboard and an invitation from the NIF team to present the BGE Benchmarking Tool and school level information dashboard to the Education Committee, had been received. It was suggested that this would offer a clear and helpful picture and it was noted that the June Education Committee date had been offered to the NIF team. It was noted that an additional norming exercise had been carried out in relation to the Standardised Assessments and this was a one year only exercise.

(b) SNSA: The Convener confirmed that the implementation and the use of Standardised Assessments was a matter for Local Associations and local negotiating committees. Reports had been received that SNSAs were being used not as expected and that concerns had been raised by teachers regarding the inaccessibility of some of the language to young learners, and the inappropriateness of some content to the Scottish context. It was agreed to reissue assessment advice in the bulletins and to reiterate that members concerned about the handling of SNSAs, should seek further advice from the Local Association Secretary or EIS Headquarters.

(c) GIRFEC Practice Development Panel: The Committee noted that the Convener had attended the first meeting of the independently chaired GIRFEC Practice Development Panel in connection with the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act

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2014, Part 4, (Provisions of Named Persons) and Part 5 (Child’s Plan) on 13 February 2018. Representatives attended from: ADES, the NHS, Social Work, Police Scotland, third sector children’s organisations, NPfS, Unite and Scottish Government with the EIS being the only education union represented on the group. The terms of reference for the group were discussed. Thereafter Assistant Secretary Bradley tabled a written report providing an update from the subsequent meeting of 14 March. There was substantial presentation and thereafter discussion on the implications of general data protection regulations for information sharing and consideration had been given to a Framework for Primary Legislation. Consideration was given to the function of the EIS and purpose of remaining on the group and the degree of risk involved in collaborating on the writing of a new Code of Practice to accompany the information sharing elements of the Named Person legislation. It was decided to raise the issue of continued EIS representation with the General Secretary ahead of the next meeting scheduled to take place in May 2018.

(d) Insight Project Board: The Committee noted a report from Matt Hodgman of the meeting held on 6 February. Matters discussed included: Tariff Review, Grade Neutral Tariff, inclusion of special schools, BGE improvement tool and risk register. The EIS had raised the question of literacy units N5 in English and Maths being double counted as tariff points. Evidence to support the claim was required and it was decided that further investigations would be pursued. An additional Project Board date, specifically to review evaluation work undertaken on the Grade Neutral Tariff, had been arranged. The Vice Convener was unable to accommodate this date and it was noted that Matt Hodgman would represent the EIS at the meeting on 30 April 2018. Correspondence issued to Directors of Education regarding the Insight February 2018 Update was circulated and noted by the Committee. It was agreed to keep a watching brief on the introduction of Regional Improvement Collaboratives (RICs) within the Insight establishment hierarchy.

(e) Education and Skills Committee. The Committee noted the launch of an Inquiry into the impact of experiencing poverty on the attainment and wider

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achievement of school aged children. Assistant Secretary Bradley reported on a meeting with the Committee Clerk and lead parliamentary researcher, highlighting the considerable work undertaken by the EIS around this agenda and the key resource and pedagogical interventions required to maximise the capacity of schools to mitigate the impact of poverty on children’s and young people’s educational experiences and outcomes. The Education and Skills Committee is keen to hear from individual teachers. It was agreed to contact Local Association Secretaries to ask that they consider making a response on behalf of the Local Association and to encourage Branches of the Local Association to respond to the inquiry, with a caveat that care should be taken to anonymise individuals- both pupils and staff- and schools, in responses. It was noted that a response would be submitted by the EIS as an organisation.

(b) Education Conference 28 April 2018: The Committee noted the outline of the Programme and Workshop details for the forthcoming Education Conference. Assistance was sought from Committee members, to take responsibility for workshop introductions and notes. It was agreed to email all members of the Education Committee seeking expressions of support in this area.

(i) Proposal for EIS and SCEL: The Committee considered a proposal that would see SCEL work in partnership with the EIS to offer a more sustainable and flexible model of leadership learning to members, as a way of meeting the significant demand for this type of learning. The Committee approved the proposal for the partnership.

(ii) Research Grants: It was reported that the first cohort of recipients of the Research Grants were reaching the deadline for submissions. The Committee was reminded that a recommendation had previously been approved to hold an event to mark the completion of projects by grant recipients. The Committee noted an outline of the informal awards event with the President and the General Secretary attending and input invited from the external organisations which have supported the project throughout. It was proposed that if possible, the event would coincide with the first meeting of the

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new cohort of grant recipients, with a convenient date being sought for early June. The Committee considered the possibility of requests for minor adjustments around the deadline for submission of final research reports. It was agreed to give powers to the Convener, Vice Convener and appropriate Officials to consider such requests, and that the final grant payment would not be payable until final submissions received.

(d) European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), “Strengthening the Capacity of Education Trade Unions to Represent Teachers’ Professional Needs in Social Dialogue, 5-6 March 2018, Berlin: The Committee noted a full written report from Assistant Secretary Bradley on what was reported to have been an interesting extended workshop focused on building the capacity of trade unions to represent teachers’ professional needs in terms of ITE and professional leaning and to enhance the focus on professional issues within collective bargaining. It was agreed to forward the report to the CPD Sub-Committee for further consideration. It was further agreed to forward to the Salaries Committee in light of information around workforce planning and different models of ITE experience.

(e) Education Trade Union Committee for Education, “Supporting young teachers as a tool for quality education” under the auspices of the Bulgarian EU, Presidency, 27-28 March 2018: The Committee homologated the attendance of the Convener at the Conference, in the absence of the President being able to attend.

(2) AGM 2018

(a) Draft Annual Committee Report. The Committee was provided with copies of the Convener’s reports for the current session for information. It was agreed that these reports and minutes of the Committee would form the basis of the annual Education Committee report for 2018.

(b) AGM Resolutions 2017: The Committee received a draft paper outlining the progress of work undertaken and the current status of the 2017 Resolutions passed to the Education Committee. It was noted that work was ongoing in some areas and it was agreed to give powers to the Convener and the Assistant Secretary to finalise the report.

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(3) SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS

(a) The Committee considered applications for funding from the 2017-18 budget and it was decided to support the following organisations:

(i) Govanhill Baths, £1,000 (ii) Orkney Folk Festival, £1,250 (iii) Hopscotch Theatre, £1,690.

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS MATTERS

5. Arising from meeting of the Employment Relations Committee held on 21 March 2018, Council took the following decisions:

(1) Benevolence

(a) Investments - Standard Life Wealth Presentation: The Committee welcomed back Carol Clark and Gair Brisbane of Standard Life Wealth (SLW) who gave a presentation on an alternative approach for the management of the Benevolent Fund’s investments which they had suggested be considered at a previous meeting. Implementation of the proposal would entail the sale of the Fund’s holding in the pooled Newton Growth & Income Fund and reinvestment in a directly owned bespoke portfolio, the criteria for which would be determined by the Committee in its role as Benevolent Fund Trustees. The SLW representatives advised the Committee that directly owned shares would facilitate Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) considerations which, for example, could be used for the screening of investments to exclude criteria/companies which were felt not to be in alignment with the Fund’s purposes. It was further suggested by the SLW representatives that, as a first step, the Committee should consider the preparation of an Investment Policy Statement as it was recognised that individual members may have differing views on the criteria which should be adopted, and an approved Statement would ensure a collective viewpoint had been reached. The SLW representatives offered to assist the Committee in this regard. Following discussion, the Committee agreed that the proposal be taken forward for further consideration in its 2018/19 cycle, and to invite the SLW representatives and their colleague Julia Hutchison to attend the June meeting.

(b) Donations: The Committee noted a donation form 1 Local Association.

(c) Applications for Assistance: Consideration was given to 13 applications. 3 grants from the Benevolent Fund which were authorised by the Convener and the Accountant were

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homologated. The Committee authorised 12 grants. 2 applications did not the criteria.

Benevolent Fund £ 19,500

(2) Legal Affairs:

(a) The Committee considered 19 cases.

(b) It was noted that settlements amounting to £84,150 had been secured on behalf of 3 members.

(3) AGM Resolutions:

(a) Musculoskeletal Ailments – A paper on incidence of musculoskeletal ailments among teachers of nursery and primary classes was approved.

(4) AOB: The Committee agreed to seek permission from Executive Committee for an additional meeting to be held at the end of Council on 11 May to discuss benevolent and legal casework.

EQUALITY MATTERS

6. Arising from a meeting of the Equality Committee held on 23 March 2018, Council took the following decisions:

(1) AGM 2018:

(a) The fringe meeting proposal was noted by the Committee and the proposed format was agreed. It was further noted that the title of the meeting is yet to be confirmed with suggestions welcome. The Committee noted that the Vice- President had agreed to chair the event and agreed to explore the possibility of members being involved in a supplementary capacity as well as seeking a representative from WASPI to speak at the meeting.

(2) Annual Committee Report:

(a) The Committee noted the draft grid of actions and outcomes from 2017 AGM resolutions, with a final draft to be submitted to the forthcoming AGM. The Committee agreed that any other actions that may have been omitted be emailed to the department in the first instance.

(3) AGM Resolutions 2017:

(a) Equality Matters Within ITE Programmes:

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“This AGM call on Council to:

(b) develop recommendations for partners regarding enhancing current provision of equalities education for teachers, both through ITE and through ongoing Professional Learning.”

National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report highlighting that investigation is ongoing regarding equality matters within ITE programmes. The Committee noted that National Officer Jenny Kemp has met with several universities, with approaches to equality varying across institutions and programmes. Discussions had also been held with the GTCS. A discussion ensued amongst the Committee regarding preferred equality content in ITE. Consensus was reached that coverage of equality should be a core topic for all trainee and newly qualified teachers, taking into account all protected characteristics, with a central focus on the Equality Act, with the option of deeper study in electives. The Committee also recommended that Headship qualifications should include equality matters, and that professional standards could be more robust on equality.

(b) Holocaust Education: CfE:

“This AGM requests that Council supports a campaign to establish Holocaust Education as a feature of the Curriculum for Excellence.” National Officer Jenny Kemp delivered an oral report highlighting that data has been gathered which will form the basis of a briefing for Equality Reps on Holocaust Education. The Committee noted that the briefing is currently in the early stages of development and it was agreed that a final version would be issued to Equality Reps once approved by the Committee.

(4) ETUCE Standing Committee for Equality, Brussels, Belgium, 19-20 February 2018: A written report was noted by the Committee. The Committee noted that Assistant Secretary Bradley had attended the event as the EIS representative on the ETUCE Standing Committee for Equality. Assistant Secretary Bradley highlighted some of the key themes arising, including sexual

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harassment at work, the under-representation of women in leadership roles, equality issues in collective bargaining, work-life balance, and a relatively narrow discourse around race, with a focus on migrants. The Committee agreed that sections of the report would be sent to all relevant Equality Sub-Committees and Working Groups for the first meeting of the new committee cycle.

(5) Impact of Poverty in Education Campaign:

(a) AGM Resolutions 2017:

(i) Impact of Poverty: Children’s and Young People’s Educational Experience:

“This AGM resolves to:

(b) publicly reaffirm its commitment to the universal provision of free school meals;

(c) lobby Scottish Government to ensure adequacy, and consistency across local authorities in the level of clothing grants awarded as per the terms of the Education Act (2016);

(d) lobby local authorities to maximise access to clothing grant entitlements and to ensure that school uniform requirements are universally affordable.”

The Committee noted the letters to MSPs and to both Directors of Education and Conveners of Local Authority Education Committees. It was further noted that a separate letter is to be sent to John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education, reaffirming the Institute’s position on the impact of poverty on children’s and young people’s school experience and outlining proposals to help to mitigate the damaging impact of socio-economic disadvantage on children’s and young people’s wellbeing and educational experiences and outcomes.

(b) Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit – Glasgow Caledonian University: Local Contributions to Tackling Poverty and Inequality in Scotland: The research report was

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noted by the Committee for information. The Committee noted that the report referenced the ongoing work of the Institute in tackling poverty in schools citing the ‘Face Up to Child Poverty’ publication as a significant intervention and an effective resource for offering guidance on everyday anti- poverty practices. It was agreed for this report to be forwarded to the Impact of Poverty in Education Campaign Working Group and for the content of the report to inform future activity going forward.

(6) GENDER ISSUES

(a) 3rd EI World Women’s Conference, Marrakech, Morocco – 5-7 February 2018. A written report from Assistant Secretary Bradley and referred from the Executive Committee was noted by the Committee. The Committee noted that both EIS President Nicola Fisher and Assistant Secretary Bradley had attended on behalf of the Executive Committee with the over-arching theme of the conference relating to the complex ‘labyrinth’ of institutional and social barriers that women in employment have to navigate. It was further noted that there was much to consider from the conference in relation to future EIS policy development and organising. It was agreed that the report would be assigned to the Gender Issues Working Group for further consideration.

(b) STUC Women’s Conference, 29-30 October 2018:

(i) The Committee noted interest from S Burns, T Connolly, J Hutchinson, C Thorpe and C Yates in attending the STUC Women’s Conference. The Committee agreed to process delegates for attendance at the 2018 Conference in the usual manner.

(ii) The Committee discussed possible themes for two motions to be submitted to the STUC Women’s Conference, including the gender pay gap, the need for STUC specific sexual harassment guidance, and enhancing the participation of women in trade union activity. It was agreed to give powers to the Convener, the Vice-Convener, Assistant Secretary Bradley and National Officer Jenny Kemp to finalise the wording of the two motions.

(7) ANTI RACIST ISSUES

(a) AGM Resolutions 2017:

(i) Islamophobia: EIS Advice:

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“This AGM instructs Council to refresh EIS advice on Islamophobia, taking into account political and legal developments since the last iteration of our advice on Islamophobia.”

The EIS policy on Challenging Anti-Muslim Prejudice was noted by the Committee. The Committee noted that all textual content is finalised after being approved at the last meeting of Council. It was agreed to liaise with the Communications Department regarding graphics for the booklet. The Committee noted that the launch of the booklet will be scheduled in session 2018/19 but is dependent on staffing capacity given the ongoing pay campaign and other Institute commitments.

(ii) Racism and Islamophobia: EIS Survey:

“This AGM requests Council to undertake and report on a survey of all EIS members on teachers’ and lecturers’ direct or indirect experiences of racism and Islamophobia.

Further, that this AGM, in the face of the increased victimisation and demonisation of Muslims in society, call on Council to campaign:

(a) In support of members challenging Islamophobia, including verbal and physical abuse, in Scottish schools and Further Education colleges;

A tabled report was noted by the Committee. National Officer Jenny Kemp highlighted key aspects of the survey data and the Committee noted that the survey was completed by 79 members. It was further noted that while this is a relatively small sample, and care will subsequently have to be given to the use of the data, it is the largest body of evidence collected by the EIS to date on BME members’ experiences of racism and Islamophobia and is insightful regarding their experiences. The Committee discussed possibilities for using the findings, including a poster campaign and training, which could draw on members’ words from the survey comments, which were felt to be powerful. It was agreed to forward the report to the Anti Racist

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Sub-Committee for further consideration, and to proceed with the recommendations outlined in the paper. It was agreed that the findings would also be discussed with EIS Equality Reps at their next event.

(iii) Anti-Racist Education:

“That this AGM call on Council to promote and re- establish Anti-Racist Education firmly in the curriculum for every year group and sector; including training for all teachers and lecturers in light of the current political climate and as a way to tackle the rise in Racism.

(a) A tabled paper, namely a member briefing on Anti- Racist Education, was noted by the Committee. The Committee noted that this was the initial first draft of the briefing and is very much a work in progress with content provided from EIS Learning Reps still to be incorporated. The Committee agreed that any additional briefing content would be sent to the department in the first instance. Powers were given to the Convener, Vice- Convener and Officials to finalise the content of the briefing.

(b) A discussion ensued regarding how best to organise an EIS BME member event in session 2018/19, which could be a focal point for the launch of the new guidance on Challenging Anti- Muslim Prejudice. The Committee agreed to organise an event at which BME members can relay shared experiences, in recognition of the importance of informal networking for this part of the membership. It was also agreed that this should be an inclusive event which would bring together BME members with the wider membership, to discuss how best to revitalise anti- racist education and to encourage a shared focus on anti-racist matters in education more generally. It was agreed to proceed with planning for such an event for early in the new session.

(b) Show Racism the Red Card – Creative Competition, Glasgow, 12 and 22 March 2018: Assistant Secretary Bradley delivered an oral report of the event highlighting that the

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competition had received approximately 1,000 entries, including a banner, pieces of music, works of poetry and various other pieces of visual art. As a member of the Scottish Advisory Committee, she had been invited to help judge the competition entries and to present an award at the final ceremony. The Committee noted that both Angela Constance MSP and Monica Lennon MSP were in attendance at the awards event, as well as sports personalities and other trade unionists. The Committee agreed to explore the possibility of including coverage of the event in a future edition of the Scottish Education Journal.

(c) STUC Black Workers’ Network book launch, 31 March 2018 – No Problem Here: Understanding Racism in Scotland: The date of the event was noted by the Committee for information. It was agreed that those wishing to attend should contact the Department in the first instance.

(d) STUC Black Workers’ Conference, 5-7 October 2018:

(i) The Committee agreed to process delegates for attendance at the 2018 Conference in the usual manner.

(ii) The Committee discussed possible themes for two motions to be submitted to the STUC Black Workers’ Conference including the increasing prevalence of far right-wing politics internationally, media strategies to counteract racial stereotyping, mentoring for BME workers, and fair work and diversity. It was agreed to give powers to the Convener, the Vice- Convener, Assistant Secretary Bradley and National Officer Jenny Kemp to finalise the wording of the two motions.

(8) LGBT ISSUES

(a) AGM Resolution 2017:

LGBT Specific Training:

A tabled report detailing the results of the survey was noted by the Committee. The Committee noted that the survey responses revealed that LGBT+ specific training is not being offered to teachers and lecturers on a regular basis. It was further noted that over two-thirds of respondents had not

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received any training over the last 5 years. The Committee noted that despite illustrating a broadly positive picture in relation to respondents’ desire to promote equality and challenge LGBT+ specific prejudice, the survey contained a minority of responses highlighting the need for greater widespread awareness of the provisions of the Equality Act. It was agreed to proceed with the recommendations outlined in the paper.

(b) LGBT Equality Activity:

(i) A written proposal to establish an LGBT Sub-Committee of the Equality Committee was noted by the Committee. The Committee noted that the Informal LGBT+ Network has grown substantially since its inception. It was agreed to form a proposal for the Executive Committee to establish an ad-hoc sub- Committee involving members of the Equality Committee and co-opted members with lived experience of LGBT+ issues, elected from among the membership, to enhance EIS activity on this aspect of equality.

(i) The Committee agreed to process delegates for attendance at the 2018 Conference in the usual manner.

(d) Pride Events:

(i) The cost of holding a stall at the Glasgow Pride event on 14 July 2018 was formally homologated by the Committee. It was noted that three members have volunteered to attend the event and staff the stall thus far.

(ii) The Committee agreed to hold a stall at the Edinburgh Pride event on 16 June 2018. It was noted that three members have volunteered to attend the event and staff the stall thus far.

(9) DISABILITY

(a) STUC Disabled Workers’ Conference, 17-18 November 2018:

(i) The Committee agreed to process delegates for attendance at the 2018 Conference in the usual manner, beginning early to take account of the needs of disabled people to arrange travel assistance, carers etc.

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(ii) The Committee noted that there may be an opportunity to deliberate potential themes for motions at the next meeting of the Committee depending on the final submission date being confirmed. It was agreed to give powers to the Convener, the Vice-Convener, Assistant Secretary Bradley and National Officer Jenny Kemp to finalise the theme and wording of the two motions, in consultation with disabled members.

(10) EQUALITY REPS

(a) Equality Rep Meeting/Residential. The Committee discussed the possible format for the next meeting of Equality Reps. It was agreed to hold a one-day event in the next session with the next residential training event to take place in session 2019/20.

SALARIES MATTERS

7. Arising from a meeting of the Salaries Committee held on 22 March 2018 Council took the following decisions:

(1) SNCT

(a) Extended Joint Chairs: The Convener provided an oral report on the Extended Joint Chairs meetings which took place on 1 March and 14 March 2018.

The Committee approved arrangements for the SNCT Career Pathways Panel on which the EIS is to have two representatives. The Committee decided to appoint Jayne Rowe (Vice Convener) to the Panel. As well as a Salaries Committee representative on the Panel, it was agreed that Education Committee would be asked to provide the other EIS representative on the Panel.

(2) AGM Resolutions:

(a) Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): A paper was discussed and approved.

(b) Review of Current Attendance Monitoring Procedures – A paper was discussed and approved.

(3) Pensions:

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(a) EIS Appointment to Scottish Teachers’ Pension Board: The Committee approved the appointment of Area Officer Leah Franchetti to the Scottish Teacher’s Pension Board.

8. AGM 2018

(1) Amendments to Motions: An amendment to motion 15 (Paper F) from the Executive Committee was approved for consideration by the Standing Orders Committee.

(2) Attitudes to AGM Motions and Amendments and Proposed Changes to Rules and Standing Orders: Following consideration of AGM motions, amendments and changes to Rules and Standing Orders, Council decided to adopt attitudes to support all motions, amendments and changes to Rules and Standing Orders proposed by Council, to take an attitude of opposition to motion 28 (Paper F2), and to take no attitude on all other motions. A number of speakers were agreed to speak on behalf of Council with respect to its attitudes at the AGM.

9. COUNCIL REPORT TO AGM: The draft Committee reports were approved, and powers were granted to amend the reports for consistency and to take account of decisions taken at this meeting of Council.

10. MOTIONS

(1) World Teacher Day:

The following motion in the name of Andrew O’Halloran, Dumfries & Galloway Local Association was carried:

“That this Council instruct the EIS to plan a celebration to mark World Teacher Day on 5th October 2018 to demonstrate the Institute’s solidary with fellow professionals across the globe and to publicise teachers’ contribution to society in the context of the current pay campaign.”

(2) Message of Condolence to FECODE:

The following motion in the name of Andrew O’Halloran, Dumfries & Galloway Local Association was carried: "That this Council instruct the EIS to send a message of condolence to FECODE, the main teacher trade union in Colombia, offering solidarity and support following the torture and murder of the activist Efren Zúñiga Dorado in April."

(3) Kathy Finn Commemoration:

The following motion in the name of David Farmer, Fife Local Association was carried:

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"That Council instruct the Executive Committee to discuss and advise on the most practicable way of commemorating the work done on behalf of the EIS by the late Kathy Finn."

11. RESULTS OF ELECTIONS FOR COUNCIL & ITS COMMITTEES 2018/2019: The results of elections for Council & its Committees for 2018/2019 were noted.

12. POWERS TO EXISTING COMMITTEES/CONVENERS: Powers were granted to existing Committees/Conveners to transact urgent business until new Committees take over.

The President closed the meeting by thanking those members of Council who would not be returning next year.

13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: The first meeting of the 2018/2019 Council will take place on 28 September 2018.

243 Index Page

1+2 Language Training for Primary Teachers Beyond 2020 46

A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century: Campaign 32 Absence Review Procedures: One-Off Surgical Procedures 31 Absence Review Procedures: Myalgic Encephalomyeltis (ME/CFS) 31 Accelerated Incremental Progression: Review 31 Accounts 34 Ad-Hoc LGBT+ Sub-Committee 226 Additional Fiscal Measures to Increase Overall Revenue 37 Additional In-Service Day 81 Address by Dan Montgomery, President, American Federation of Teachers 39 Affiliations 2017/2018 60 Affiliations 2017/2018 79 AGM 2018 186 AGM 2018 224 AGM 2018 242 AGM 2018: Proposed Changes to Rules, Regulations and Standing Orders 212 AGM 2018: Proposed Motions in Name of Council 209 AGM 2015 Resolution: Rights of Pupils in a Scottish School: Welcome Pack 107 AGM 2015 Resolution: Homophobia and Transphobia in Education 109 AGM 2016 Resolution: NPA 60 to NPA 65-68: Campaign 207 AGM 2016 Resolution: Older Women and Work: Consultation 145 AGM 2016 Resolution: Older Women and Work: Consultation 172 AGM 2016 Resolution: Reasonable Adjustments: Investigation & Guidance 110 AGM 2016 Resolution: Reasonable Adjustments: Investigation & Guidance 150 AGM 2016 Resolution: Rights of Pupils in School: Welcome Pack 147 AGM 2017 Resolutions passed to Executive Committee 70 AGM 2017 Resolutions passed to Education Committee 84 AGM 2017 Resolutions passed to Education Committee 138 AGM 2017 Resolutions passed to Employment Relations 100 AGM 2017 Resolutions passed to Employment Relations 142 AGM 2017 Resolutions passed to Equality Committee 104 AGM 2017 Resolutions passed to Equality Committee 147 AGM 2017 Resolutions passed to Equality Committee 149 AGM 2017 Resolutions passed to Salaries Committee 111 AGM 2017 Resolution: Child Refugees Admitted to the UK 163 AGM 2016/2017 Resolution: Named Person Act 207 AGM 2017 Resolution: Anti-Racist Education 238 AGM 2017 Resolution: EIS Teacher Education Partnership Informal Network 225 AGM 2017 Resolution: Charitable Status of GTC(S) 225 AGM 2017 Resolution: Equality Legislation Training 143 AGM 2017 Resolution: Equality Matters Within ITE Programmes 233 AGM 2017 Resolution: Holocaust Education: CfE 200 AGM 2017 Resolution: Holocaust Education: CfE 234 AGM 2017 Resolution: Impact of Poverty 235 AGM 2017 Resolution: Inappropriate Comments on Social Media 80 AGM 2017 Resolution: Investigating Fiscal Measures 225 AGM 2017 Resolution: Islamophobia: EIS Advice 205 AGM 2017 Resolution: Islamophobia: EIS Advice 236 AGM 2017 Resolution: LGBT Equality Activity 240 AGM 2017 Resolution: LGBT Specific Training 239 AGM 2017 Resolution: Musculoskeletal Ailments 163 AGM 2017 Resolution: Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 241 AGM 2017 Resolution: Provision of Free Sanitary Products 145 AGM 2017 Resolution: Provision of Free Sanitary Products 172 AGM 2017 Resolution: Racism and Islamophobia 237 AGM 2017 Resolution: Review of Current Attendance Monitoring Procedures 241 AGM 2017 Resolution: Temporary and Fixed-Term Contracts 241 AGM 2021 Onwards 163 Alternative to Exclusion: Campaign 38 Annual General Meeting 2019 24 Anti-Racist Education 26 Anti-Racist Issues 107 Anti-Racist Issues 174 Anti-Racist Issues 205 Anti-Racist Issues 236 Appeals Committee 2017/2018 48 Appointment of Auditors 34 Appointments to Outside Organisations 2017/18 117 Appointments to Outside Organisations 2017/18 132 Approval of Minutes 24 Atlantic Rim Collaboratory (ARC), San Diego, 8-11 September 2018 192 Asbestos: Campaign 42 Asbestos: Campaign 130 ASN Provision in Education: Priorities, Potential and the Ten-Year Strategy 97 Assessment and National Qualifications Group 91 Assessment and National Qualifications Group 133 Assessment and National Qualifications Group 167 Attainment Fund 38

Benevolence 99 Benevolence 142 Benevolence 170 Benevolence 201 Benevolence 232 BME Lecturers in FE 131 BME People as Teachers: Teacher Recruitment Campaign 108 Board of Examiners 117 Board of Examiners 153 Budget Allocations to Publicly Funded Educational Establishments 37 Building an Active Union 80 Building an Active Union 127

Challenge Poverty Week, 15-21 October 2017 105 Charitable Status of the GTCS 37 Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill 172 Child Refugees Admitted to the UK 37 Children in Scotland 98 CLPL Opportunities 47 Committees of Council 56 Comprehensive Education 28 Conditions of Service Handbook: Sickness Allowance 31 Consultation on 2018-2019 Draft Budget 131 Consultation on the Provisions of the Education (Scotland) Bill 132 Consultation on the Provisions of the Education (Scotland) Bill 165 Consultation on Registration of Independent Schools 95 Consultation: Review of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 174 COSLA Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce (DYW) Event 62 Council 2017/2018 15 Council, May 2017 Resolutions 59 Council, September 2017 – Resolutions 128 Council, November 2017 – Resolutions 162 Council, January 2018 - Resolutions 186 CPD 96 CPD 136 CPD 195 CPD 230

Defibrillators in Schools 42 Degree of FEIS 2018 215 Disability 110 Disability 150 Disability 206 Disability 240 Disciplinary Committee 2017/2018 48

Edinburgh World Justice Festival 82 Education Conference 2017/18 97 Education Conference 2017/18 141 Education Conference, 28 April 2018 230 Education International: Solidarity with Victims of Recent Hurricanes & Floods 82 Education International: 3rd EI World Women’s Conference, Marrakech 132 Education International: 3rd EI World Women’s Conference, Marrakech 191 Education International: 3rd EI World Women’s Conference, Marrakech 236 Education Leaders’ Forum 165 Education Matters 82 Education Matters 133 Education Matters 167 Education Matters 192 Education Matters 228 Education Scotland 135 Education Scotland 194 Educational Practitioners: Bridging the Funding Gap 38 EIS Health and Safety Representatives 42 EIS Staff Superannuation Scheme – Trustee Vacancy 118 EIS ‘Poverty-Proofing’ Award 27 Election of President and Vice-President 2017/2018 215 Emergency Sub-Committee, 16 May 2017 55 Employment Relations Matters 99 Employment Relations Matters 142 Employment Relations Matters 170 Employment Relations Matters 201 Employment Relations Matters 232 Equality Challenge Unit: Scottish Staff Equality Project 143 Equality Legislation Training 27 Equality Matters within ITE Programmes 26 Equality Matters 103 Equality Matters 143 Equality Matters 171 Equality Matters 202 Equality Matters 233 Equality Reps Meeting/Residential 241 ETUCE, Berlin, 5-6 March 2018 231 ETUCE, Bulgaria, 27-28 March 2018 231 ETUCE, Brussels, 19-20 February 2018 234 ETUCE, Brussels, 19-20 March 2018 227 Executive Matters 50 Executive Matters 119 Executive Matters 154 Executive Matters 178 Executive Matters 216

Face Up to Child Poverty: Survey Session 2016/2017 105 Fair Funding Consultation 81 FELA/ULA Subscriptions 123 FELA/ULA Subscriptions 163 Folio Assessment 44 Fossil Fuels: Divest EIS Funds 36 Freedom for Ocalan Campaign 132

Gender Issues 105 Gender Issues 145 Gender Issues 172 Gender Issues 203 Gender Issues 236 Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board 131 Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board 164 Governance Consultation Update 81 GTCS 95 GTCS 136 GTCS: Professional Guidance on Use of Electronic Communication & Social Media 43 GTCS Registration Fees: Methods of Payment 38 GTCS Review: Correspondence Issued to Members 43

Hardship Fund 60 Holocaust Education: CfE 28 Home-Start Parliamentary Reception 94

ICT Strategies and Policies 47 Impact of Increasing Number of Pupils with Social, Emotional & Mental Health Issues 29 Impact of Mental Health Matters on Education Staff 39 Impact of Poverty: Children & Young People’s Educational Experience 28 Impact of Poverty on a Child’s Educational Progress 27 Impact of Poverty in Education Campaign 104 Impact of Poverty in Education Campaign 144 Insight Project Board 93 International Summit on the Teaching Profession 95 International Women’s Day 146 International Women’s Day 173 International Women’s Day Postcard Campaign 106 Investments 34 Investments 50 Investments 62 Investments 119 Investments 154 Investments 179 Investments 216 Investment Strategy Review Update 178 Invitations – Teacher Union Conferences 2018 166 Invitations – Teacher Union Conferences 2018 191 Islamophobia: EIS Advice 25 Israel/Palestine Teaching Materials (GCRBLG) 81 Israel/Palestine Teaching Materials (GCRBLG) 165 ISTP 140 ISTP 2018, Lisbon, 21-23 March 2018 192 ISTP 2018, Lisbon, 22-24 March 2018 227 IT Systems 33

Kindred Organisations 3

Legal Affairs 100 LGBT Network 109 LGBT Issues 109 LGBT Issues 149 LGBT Issues 175 LGBT Issues 205 LGBT Issues 239 LGBT Specific Training 26 Lobbying Act (Scotland) 227

Mary’s Meals – Double The Love Appeal 133 Maximum Class Contact Time – 2017 AGM Resolution 81 Membership Records 36 Migration Advisory Committee Consultation 81 Musculoskeletal Ailments: Teachers of Nursery and Primary Classes 42

‘Nae Pasaran’ – Documentary on Scottish Solidarity for Chile 132 Named Person: Administrative Support 35 NASUWT 165 National EIS Banner 131 National EIS Banner 166 National EIS Health and Safety Committee 40 National Improvement Framework 83 National Improvement Framework 92 National Improvement Framework 134 National Improvement Framework 167 National Improvement Framework 193 National Improvement Framework 228 National Standardised Testing: Boycott 47 Nelson Mandela Centenary Gala Dinner, 24 August 2018 227 New Approaches to ITE 47 New National Qualification Course Design and Assessment 44 New Routes to Teaching 94 NPA 60 to NPA 65-68: Campaign 33

Obituary 3 Older Women Guidance 130 Organisers’ Outputs – Training Courses 80

Page Scholarship for 2017/18 59 Palestine Marathon Documentary – New Media Project 167 Palestine Solidarity Visit (NUT/NEU) 61 Palestine Solidarity Visit (NUT/NEU) 191 Pay Campaign – Objective and Strategy 126 Pay Campaign Plan and Timeline 161 Period Poverty: Cost and Availability of Sanitary Provision 106 Pensions 115 Pensions 208 Physical or Verbal Violence 41 Political Fund Ballot 34 Political Fund Ballot 79 Political Fund: Ballot Result 127 Political Fund Rules 192 Positive Action in Housing – Winter Refugee Crisis Appeal 166 Positive Action in Housing – Room for Refugees 227 President’s Retiring Address 4 Pride 2017 110 Pride Events 2018 240 Professional Registration: GTCS Registered FE Lecturers 28 Provision for Learning Support for Pupils 61 Provision of Religious Observance in Scottish Schools 95 Provision for Free Sanitary Products 25 PSE Programmes in Schools 45 Pupil Equity Funding 33 Pupil Equity Funding Survey 163

Racism and Islamophobia: EIS Survey 25 Reception of New Fellows 14 Reduction of Maximum Class Contract Time 32 Remembering Mary Barbour Campaign 146 Remembering Mary Barbour Campaign: Memorial Statue 107 Removal of GTCS Qualified Teacher from Early Years Learning & Childcare 45 Report of Council and its Committees 24 Representative in Every School 35 RespectMe National Anti-Bullying Service 144 Response: Teacher Workforce Planning 132 Restoration of Salaries to the Value of the McCrone Settlement: Campaign 33 Review of Complaints Procedure 80 Review of Current Attendance & Monitoring Procedures: Staff Absences 30 Review of Resourcing of the Education (ASL)(Scotland) Act 2009 29 Review of the Life Chances of Young People in Scotland 105 Rules and Standing Orders 25

Salaries Matters 111 Salaries Matters 151 Salaries Matters 176 Salaries Matters 207 Salaries Matters 241 School Finance Committee 41 Scotland Declaration on Human Rights 167 Scotland’s Teachers: Working Conditions and Wellbeing Research Report 115 Scottish College for Educational Leadership (SCEL) 96 Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) 167 Scottish National Standardised Assessment (SNSA) 80 Scottish National Standardised Assessment (SNSA) 130 Scottish Parent Teacher Council 70th Anniversary Lecture 166 Scottish Political Party Conferences: EIS Fringe Meetings and Stalls 165 Scottish Poetry Library – Tools of the Trade 62 Scottish Refugee Council: Creative Communities Festival Strand 227 Scottish Socialist Voice Forum 62 Scottish Solidarity with Kurdistan: Scotland Appeal to Build a School 192 Scottish Universities Supporting Palestinian Students (SUSPS) 61 Sexual Harassment 174 Show Racism the Red Card 108 Show Racism the Red Card, Creative Competition 238 SNCT 241 SNCT 2018/19 – Pay Claim 176 SNCT 2018/19 – Pay Discussion 151 SNCT Handbook: Family Leave 32 SNCT Handbook: Practical Subjects 33 SNCT Negotiations 115 Social Media 38 Solidarity with Education Employees in Colombia 62 Sponsorship of the Arts 2016-2017 90 Sponsorship of the Arts 2016-2017 98 Sponsorship of the Arts 2017-2018 141 Sponsorship of the Arts 2017-2018 170 Sponsorship of the Arts 2017-2018 200 Sponsorship of the Arts 2017-2018 232 SQA 82 SQA 133 SQA ‘Fit for Purpose’ Qualifications System 44 SQA: High Quality Resources 43 St Andrew’s Day March, Saturday 25 November 2017, Glasgow 131 Stand up to Racism March and Rally, 17 March 2018 192 Standing Orders Committee 2017/2018 47 Standing Orders Committee, 27 March 2017 23 Standing Orders Committee, 11 May 2017 23 Standing Orders Committee, 30 May 2017 24 Strategy Sub-Committee, 3 October 2017 126 Strategy Sub-Committee, 22 November 2017 161 Strategy Sub-Committee, 19 January 2018 183 Strategy Sub-Committee, 28 March 2018 222 Street Harassment of BME Women: Film Screening 26 May 2017 109 STUC Black Workers’ Committee 108 STUC Black Workers’ Conference, 7-8 October 2017 108 STUC Black Workers’ Conference, 5-7 October 2018 239 STUC Black Workers’ Network Book Launch, 31 March 2018 239 STUC Congress 2018 164 STUC Congress 2018: Appointment of Council Delegates 177 STUC Congress 2018 – Topics for Motions 131 STUC Congress 2018 227 STUC Disabled Workers’ Committee 111 STUC Disabled Workers’ Conference, 18/19 November 2017 175 STUC Disabled Workers’ Conference, 17/18 November 2018 240 STUC LGBT+ Workers’ Committee 191 STUC LGBT Workers’ Conference 20-21 May 2017 110 STUC Union’s Into Schools 191 STUC Women’s Committee 106 STUC Women’s Committee 203 STUC Women’s Conference, 30-31 October 2017 106 STUC Women’s Conference, 29-30 October 2018 236 STUC/TUC Affiliation Fees 226 Student Sponsorship 2017-2018 80

Teacher Workload: Campaign 34 Teachers Workload: Campaign 127 Temporary and Fixed-Term Contracts 32 The Effect of Increase in Statutory Age for Starting Primary School to Age 7 46 The Impact of Mental Health Matters on Education Staff – AGM Resolution 2017 80 The Role of the SNCT 30 The Role and Function of the SNCT and LNCTS 35 The Right Help at the Right Time in the Right Place 95 TIE Campaign: Affiliate 35 Timetable for Committee Meetings 2018-2019 190 TUC Congress 2017: Motions 61 TUC & STUC Affiliation Fees 165

Unifying the Care Commission and Education Scotland Quality Assurance Inspection 46

WEA Membership 82 Wealth Taxes 36 ‘Welcome Packs’ 81 Welfare in Scotland’s Schools 105 Widening EIS Membership to include Classroom Assistants/Early Years 36 Work Associated with GIRFEC and Young Person’s Planning Meetings 30 Work-Related Stress 32 Workload Issues: New Qualification Assessment 43

Youth Music Initiative (YMI) – “What’s Going on Now” 132

Zero Tolerance of Violence in Educational Workplaces: Campaign 41 Zero Tolerance of Violence – 2017 AGM Resolution 81 Zero Tolerance of Violence 130