Minute of meeting of 20 November 2023
Perth and Kinross Council · 29 May 2024
Back to Learning and Families Committee — 29 May 2024 and its agenda
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JOINT NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE FOR TEACHING STAFF Minute of hybrid meeting of the Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff (JNCT) held in the Council Chambers, 2 High Street, Perth on Monday 20 November 2023 at 2.30pm. Present: Representing Perth and Kinross Council Councillors J Rebbeck, S Carr and C Shiers; S Devlin, L Gordon, G Doogan and D Macluskey (all Education and Children’s Services); P Johnstone (Corporate and Democratic Services). Representing Teachers’ Associations A Dickinson, S Dowling (substituting for J Leslie), L Gibb, L.J. Grant, M Laurie, M Taylor and C Weston (all EIS); M Mackie (SSTA); Shaun Topen-Cooper (NASUWT) In Attendance: B Martin-Scott and S Turner (Education and Children’s Services); A McAuley, Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side); D Williams for Joint Secretary (Management Side). Apologies: S Johnston; J Leslie and C Rose. M Laurie, Convener, Presiding. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were submitted and noted as above. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (ELECTED MEMBERS ONLY) There were no declarations of interest made in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. 3. MINUTES The minute of meeting of the Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff of 11 September 2023 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. MATTERS ARISING It was requested that the slides from presentations delivered at previous meetings be circulated around members. 5. UPDATE ON VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSION F Mackay delivered an update to members on violence and aggression. The working group was being reshaped and a work plan for the coming year formulated. This will involve drawing on a wide range of information on behaviour in Scottish Schools and reviewing the current system of reporting e.g. roles and responsibilities to support staff as well as looking at prevention.
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6. VERBAL UPDATE ON NATIONAL SUMMIT ON VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSION F Mackay delivered a verbal update on the National Summit on Violence and Aggression. F Mackay advised members that the second national summit had focused more on relationships and behaviour than on reporting, making specific reference to the understanding of the links between Additional Support Needs and behaviour, and highlighted the constructive nature of the second summit. F Mackay advised members that the third summit would take place later in November 2023, adding that J Martin would be in attendance, and highlighted the good representation so far from both schools and Trade Unions. C Weston questioned whether it would be possible for J Martin to provide an update following the next summit, raising concern that nothing was being actioned. S Devlin added that she hoped for a positive outcome from summits for the teaching profession, and also hoped that the Perth and Kinross working group could be held up as an example of good practice. 7. CAREER PROGRESSION IN TEACHING There was submitted a briefing note (G/23/150) and accompanying slide- based presentation by B Martin-Scott regarding Career Progression in Teaching. B Martin-Scott advised members that, following evaluation, the ECS Learning Hub had been refreshed, adding that it was now more user-friendly. B Martin- Scott delivered a demonstration of the ECS Learning Hub, including the relevant career progression element. C Weston stated that she welcomed the presentation, adding that she thought the Hub could be a really good tool. C Weston further raised a query regarding concern at fewer promoted posts coming forward, particularly at a secondary level and the accessibility of the posts. In response, B Martin-Scott advised that there was a job opportunities tab on the Hub, which could be utilised in this regard. LJ Grant raised the issue of secondment opportunities not reaching all teaching staff, to which S Devlin responded by advising that this was a communication issue, and that specific examples would be appreciated. The Committee noted the update. 8. VIRTUAL CAMPUS UPDATE There was submitted a report by the Service Manager (Secondary) Education (G/23/151), providing an update on the virtual campus offer. D Macluskey advised that some virtual campus courses had seen joint working with colleagues across Tayside as a Tayside Regional Improvement
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Collaborative (TRIC) offer, and advised that fifty young people in Perth and Kinross were studying a virtual campus course, with most of this number being at an Advanced Higher and Higher level. D Macluskey added that the attainment data was positive, and that while the primacy of in-school education was not disputed, he considered the virtual campus to be a useful offer. LJ Grant raised a query regarding the delivery of STEM without a teacher being present, raising concerns around practical elements, assessment and moderation of courses. D Macluskey advised that at Level 1-3 the virtual campus was used as a resource with no assessment linked, adding that any school that offers a virtual campus course would allow the relevant teacher time for aspects such as marking and preparation and that a forum had been established for teachers who delivered virtual campus courses. LJ Grant raised a further query regarding continued funding to support teaching staff and for any changes with regards to virtual campus courses, to which D Macluskey confirmed that the budget process needs to have representation to ensure that this happens. Resolved The Committee noted the contents of G/23/151. 9. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS P Johnstone advised that work was ongoing between the Council’s Information Security team and the Council’s IT team regarding removable devices. P Johnstone advised that guidance in this regard would be published prior to the next school session but advised that removable devices should not be used with Council devices moving forward. 10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The date of the next meeting of the Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff will be 4 March 2024. 11. VALEDICTORY Councillor Rebbeck delivered a valedictory for Sharon Johnston, who would be retiring from the Council prior to the next meeting of the Committee. Councillor Rebbeck paid tribute to Sharon’s career, thanking her for her support and contribution to this Committee and beyond, and wishing her all the best for the future. C Weston paid her own tribute to Sharon on behalf of the Teachers’ Side, again thanking Sharon for her contribution throughout her career and to this Committee.