Created on: 22 Jan 2018 | Last modified: 26 Apr 2022
Scottish Parliament's Education and Culture Committee on the 2016/17 Draft Budget.
Response to the Consultation from the Scottish Parliament's Committee on Local Government & Communities.
This policy paper, following a resolution of the 2004 AGM, set out advice to members on controlling workload and refers to policies on Teacher Professionalism and Working Time (link) and School Development Planning Policy and Advice to Schools.
“This AGM instructs Council to investigate Absence Management Policies in operation and to resist any attempts to remove occupational sick leave and any move to automatic disciplinary action as a result of poor attendance due to ill-health.”
PUBLICATION; ANTI-ABUSE: Teachers and other EIS members working in educational establishments must follow the guidelines of their authorities to protect children who are subject to direct abuse/violence or emotional or sexual abuse.
This AGM instructs Council to put pressure on Local Authorities to establish the principle that teachers have the right to have access to their pay details outwith the workplace.
This paper develops established EIS policy on assessment in the context of A Curriculum for Excellence.
Response to the Scottish Parliament Education and Skills Committee on Additional Support Needs in Schools
Information on our affiliation with the Scottish Friends of Palestine.
The EIS Education and Equality Department undertook a range of activities to investigate the effect of increasing the statutory age for starting primary school to age seven and the development of a compulsory kindergarten stage.
The EIS submitted evidence on the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Bill.
This AGM calls on all Local Authorities and FE colleges to make a clear statement regarding the unacceptability of any aggressive behaviour.
This briefing aims to support EIS members to advocate for better provision of anti-racist education in their educational establishments.
POLICY; ANTI-RACISM: The EIS recognises the importance of anti-racist policies and the role of education in combating racism and xenophobia. The development and implementation of anti-racist policies is the responsibility of every member of the EIS.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been made aware that two UK laboratory supply companies have supplied schools and potentially other users with gauze mats which contain asbestos. The metal gauze mats are designed for use over Bunsen burners.
The EIS has consistently argued in favour of the presumption of mainstreaming; we welcome diversity in classrooms and in educational communities.
Additional Support Needs: Advice on the Roles and Responsibilities of Class Teachers
Formative assessment based on teacher professional judgement should be the central approach until pupils reach the senior phase and are at the stage of sitting qualifications as set by external bodies.
ADVICE; ANTI-RACISM: Advice on supporting initiatives to end racism against asylum seekers and refugees.
EIS Evidence to the Education and Skills Committee Enquiry into the Attainment and Achievement of School Aged Children Experiencing Poverty
Policy Paper on Bi-Level and Multi-Level Classes following AGM Resolution
PUBLICATION; GENDER: As knowledge of teaching and learning improves, it is accompanied by changes in organisation, teaching methods, assessment and curricula, and a greater awareness and understanding of the barriers to education and learning.
Report on how to build membership engagement through CPD opportunities.
POLICY; ANTI-ABUSE: EIS policy document and advice on tackling bullying and harassment in education.
Advice for members, officers and officials on the etiquette to be followed in the conduct of all case, including discipline, grievance and legal matters.
Advice on Education Scotland Statement on CfE and Benchmarks
"This AGM calls upon Council to provide advice to Local Associations on working time agreements which will be affected by the introduction of a Curriculum for Excellence."
ADVICE; ANTI-RACISM: Challenging racism is part of our responsibility as educators. It is about creating a culture of equality and respect. It is about allowing all learners, children and young people to achieve their potential.
A report on the implications, both positive and negative, of all schools having charitable status.
Guidance to "Named Person" legislation.
Agreed advice which clarifies the working relationships between teachers and classroom assistants.
The frequency of this activity and standard of cleanliness will depend on the nature of the business.
The EIS welcomes the investment in establishing and promoting coaching and mentoring initiatives in Scottish education.
This AGM calls upon Council to revise existing guidelines and policy on the appropriate use and potential misuse of communication technologies, including social networking media
This AGM instructs Council to investigate on the application of competency procedures across local authorities and FE Colleges.
Sets out the entitlement of those on maternity or adoption leave. This should be read in conjunction with either the Maternity Leave or Adoption Leave leaflets.
That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on the implications for teachers in Local Authorities who have indicated their intention to withdraw from COSLA.
A report on the AGM resolve to investigate and report on the impact of the Council Tax Freeze on spending on education and other local authority services.
Curriculum for Excellence sets out a requirement for specific attention to be made to the development of literacy and numeracy
Response to Scottish Government Consultation on the Development of a Digital Learning and Teaching Strategy for Scotland
The EIS responded to a Scottish Government consultation on increasing the employment of disabled people in the public sector, in August 2018.
Response to the Scottish Government Discussion Paper on Early Learning and Childcare 11.40 hours Expansion
EIS Response to the Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Consultation.
Written submission on the key elements which are included in the new Education (Scotland) Bill.
A detailed freedom of information request was issued to local authorities subsequent to the AGM, and the data received was reviewed by the Education and Equality Department.
Local Association Secretary Briefing August 2019
The EIS welcomes the decision to suspend the introduction of the Education Bill and to seek a more collaborative approach to school governance between local and national government.
This AGM instructs Council to investigate the number of education related risk assessment cases in Scotland in the last 3 years which have involved direct Health and Safety Executive intervention.
This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report on the work load and contractual implications for teachers and lecturers of e-learning initiatives.
This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report on the impact of the UK Government’s employment law reforms and further instructs Council to organise a campaign of resistance to any deterioration in members’ employment rights.
EIS Submission to Empowering Schools: A Consultation on the Provision of the Education Bill
Consultation on the Memorandum on Entry Requirements for Initial Teacher Education Programmes in Scotland.
Both FOISA and EIR regulations came into effect from 1 January 2005. This policy paper outlines both sets of regulations and sets out advice for local association secretaries and individual members on use of the regulations.
EIS evidence on the proposed Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill.
The EIS submitted written evidence to an inquiry on the enforcement of the Equality Act, in October 2018.
In September 2017 the EIS wrote to all Heads of School at Universities offering ITE programmes in Scotland, requesting a discussion of these matters.
Evidence to the Scottish Parliament Education and Skills Committee on CfE Priorities and Challenges
Response to the Scottish Government Consultation A Blueprint for 2020: The Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland
Response to Scottish Government’s Fair Funding Consultation
This AGM calls upon the EIS nationally to develop comprehensive strategies for responding to false and defamatory allegations against teachers and lecturers.
During the summer term, the Education Department emailed all members of the English Subject Specialist Network (six) and Secondary members of Council who teach English (six).
The 2018 AGM passed the following Resolution: “That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on models of current forward planning and assessment practices in local authorities and how they relate to workload.”
This AGM instructs Council to seek to ensure agreement is reached to enable the requirements of school and local authority moderation for a Framework for Assessment to be met without detriment to teachers’ contractual working hours.
Response to the Commission of the Future Delivery of Public Services in Scotland
Empowering Teachers, Parents and Communities to Achieve Excellence and Equity in Education.
Resolve to investigate and report on the phenomenon of ‘Groupthink’ and on how training and practices to detect and avoid it might be organised and deployed within the EIS.
Response to GTCS Consultation on the Review of Registration and Standard Rules.
Response to the Scottish Government Consultation on the Future Status of the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
GTCS Registered Teachers: Classes of Children under the age of 16
Consultation on the Draft Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 2011.
GTCS Registered Teachers: Classes of Children under the age of 16
PUBLICATION; ANTI-RACISM: There is no one simple definition of Gypsy/Traveller. There are minority ethnic, professional, trade, craft and business communities which travel, each with a rich history, culture, religion, dialect or language.
The EIS response to the Scottish Government's Hate Crime consultation, February 2019.
Response to Consultation on Draft Head Teacher and Training Standards (Scotland) Regulations
This AGM instructs Council to investigate the impact of the UK government’s proposals to deregulate existing H&S protections in the workplace and to organise a campaign to resist any deterioration in staff and pupil’s h&s at work.
This information leaflet sets out “Questions and Answers” on entitlement to this benefit.
Advice to Members on Workload Implications of the HGIOS Family Learning Quality Indicator - AGM 2016 Resolution
This briefing aims to support EIS members in their provision of Holocaust Education.
This document updates and consolidates a number of previous policy papers and policy decisions of the Institute regarding industrial action involving both the Institute and other trade unions.
AGM Resolution 2016: Instrumental Music Teachers: National Qualifications in Music
ADVICE; ANTI-RACISM & RELIGION: Advice and guidance on combatting Islamophobia and racism against the background of recent events but which apply in any conflict situation.
This policy complements the policy paper “Offensive or Abusive Parents – Advise to Members” and advises members who are subject of complaint on both legal and contractual matters which may arise during such complaints.
This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report on Local Authority insurance protection for staff injured in the course of their duties.
This AGM instructs Council to issue urgent advice to all educational establishments concerning the threat of Lyme Disease in Scotland and the UK.
This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report on management time allocations in schools .
The amount of management time agreed by LNCTs for promoted staff and the actual time allocated
This leaflet includes the Manual Handling Assessment Charts (MAC). MAC is a tool developed to help users identify high risk workplace manual handling activities.
"This AGM instructs Council to review current maternity and paternity provision to ensure that the provision is consistent with best practice in the public sector."
The EIS and SPTC have jointly developed this Memorandum of Understanding to reflect and underpin their joint commitment to partnership working on issues relating to Scottish Education.
This leaflet sets out EIS policy on camera and video phones.
This briefing gives an update on the provision of music in schools, particularly the provision of instrumental music teaching
Agreement between the Educational Institute of Scotland and the Musicians’ Union
This advice is relevant to Secondary members who are teachers, Faculty Heads and PTs of English, SQA Co-ordinators and Headteachers.
N5, Higher and Advanced Higher Courses: Externally Assessable Elements
Interim Report - National Qualifications System: Social Inequalities
Summary of the work of the EIS to date on National Standardised Assessment
New National Standardised Assessment for Literacy and Numeracy
"This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report on the contractual working arrangements of newly qualified teachers and in particular on any variations imposed on newly qualified teachers with regard to contractual non class contact time."
The following resolution was carried by the Institute’s Annual General Meeting in June 2014.
EIS Briefing Paper - response to discussions concerning the establishment of a National Improvement Framework for Scottish Education.
EIS Response to Scottish Government Consultation: Nutritional requirements for food and drink in schools.
“This AGM instructs Council to investigate the threat to occupational sick pay as a result of attendance management practices and to campaign and issue advice to members as appropriate.”
All teachers have an absolute right not to be subject to abusive, threatening or violent behaviour.
POLICY: All teachers have an absolute right not to be subject to abusive, threatening or violent behaviour
Response to the Scottish Government Consultation on Regulations to Reduce Primary 1 Classes.
EIS Submission to the Call for Views on Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill
"This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report on Local Authority policies and procedures in awarding permanent contracts to teachers".
This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report on what obligatory Personal Protective Equipment should be provided and maintained to protect teachers from injury and risk of entrapment while using equipment in Technical Departments.
This policy paper sets the legal context, the position of employers and advice to members.
PUBLICATION: The EIS has been a major contributor to the debate on the development of comprehensive education in Scotland and in particular the aim of equality of opportunity, access and outcome for all young people.
Submission to Education and Skills Committee's Pre-budget Review of the Performance of Education Scotland
Submission to Education and Skills Committee's Pre-budget Review of the Performance of the Scottish Qualifications Authority
Guidance on the Prevent Duty, Counter-Terrorism Legislation and Preventing Racial or Religious Discrimination
Introduction of the post of Principal Teacher in the primary sector.
This AGM instructs Council to investigate on the implementation of Professional Update across Scotland and to monitor any attempted inappropriate use by employers .
A consultation on Promoting Greater Accountability and Transparency in Local Government.
This AGM calls on Councils to interrogate Scottish Councils on their preparedness for the full introduction of the PVG system in Scotland.
Protocol on Affiliations to Outside Organisations and the Expenditure of Funds During an Election Period.
Submission to Education and Culture Committee's Review of Public Bodies' Spending and Outcomes - Education Scotland
Submission to Education and Culture Committee's Review of Public Bodies' Spending and Outcomes Skills Development Scotland
The Executive Committee confirmed the reaffirmation of Institute policy with regard to the use of PPP/PFI schemes in the rebuilding and refurbishment of Scottish schools.
Pupil Equity Funding(PEF) - Interim Advice to Local Association Secretaries and School Reps
EIS guidance and advice on the pupils strikes in support of climate change action for all members, including headteachers.
Clear guidelines to ensure that, when pupils are displaying serious inappropriate behaviour the care, welfare and right to a safe place of work for the teachers are considered.
“This AGM instructs Council to call upon LAs to ensure that bases and units in mainstream schools supporting pupils with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties apply SNCT Appendix 2.9 of Section 2: Class Size Maxima: 6 Pupils.”
This Council resolves to survey Local Associations to ascertain: the extent to which schools and LAs carry out exercises where pupils and parents are invited to rate the service provided by individual teachers or groups of teachers
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities use a range and mixture of regulatory interventions to improve the management of health and safety risks.
Religious Observance in Schools (RO): Scottish Government Consultation on Changes to the Guidance
"This AGM rejects the proposition that conducting and/or signing off on risk assessments forms part of a teacher's duties under the 21st Century Agreement."
This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report whether the Royal Charter of the EIS placed any restriction on the types of motions which may be approved by the Standing Orders Committee.
Development planning forms an integral part of the work of nearly every school in Scotland. Over a number of years the EIS has issued advice, in part to address development planning as a new development in the work of schools.
Response to the Public Petitions Committee: School Libraries
PUBLICATION; RELIGION: The committee decided that it would refer to Catholic/Protestant sectarianism.
Section 21(2)(A) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980
Submission to Education and Culture Committee's Review of Public Bodies Spending and Outcomes - Scottish Qualifications Authority
SQA Assessment Changes to N5, Higher and Advanced Higher - frequently asked Questions
“This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report on the effect on staffing levels in Local Authorities which receive more than their quota of probationary teachers.”
Response to Education and Culture Committee Consultation on Proposed Stage 2 Amendment to the Education Bill: National Improvement Framework.
Response to Education and Culture Committee Consultation on Proposed Stage 2 Amendment to the Education Bill: Standard for Headship.
Analysis of Local Association Survey Responses on Standardised Tests
Response to the Scottish Government Consultation on draft Statutory Guidance: Standards in Schools etc Act 2000
SUBMISSION: Responding to Scottish Parliament Public Petition PE1573
Submission to Consultation on a Strategy for Education and Training - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report on the use and impact of individual and organisational stress questionnaires across LAs.
EIS response to the Education and Skills Committee Inquiry into Subject Choices
AGM instructs Council to draw up comprehensive advice for teachers/lecturers on all activities involving the supervision of pupils/students outwith educational establishments.
“This AGM instructs Council to investigate the impact of the reduction of support staff on teachers’ working conditions especially in relation to Annex E of the Agreement “A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century.”
Key EIS policy documents and advice on pupil behaviour in Scotland's schools.
PUBLICATION: The STUC have produced this important guide for supporting Trans Employees at work.
"This AGM condemns the lack of employment for newly qualified teachers and instructs Council to campaign against a reduction in teacher numbers."
Key EIS policy paper on teacher professionalism in the context of a devolved Scotland.
This policy paper, approved by EIS Council in October 2008 and updated in 2010, sets out, for the first time, EIS policy and thinking in relation to leadership in schools.
"This AGM calls upon the Salaries Committee to campaign for the right for all teachers to be given a hard copy payslip."
POLICY; DISABILITY: It is important that those with disabilities have the opportunity to fulfil their potential in all areas of learnining and work. The teaching profession should be no different from any other profession in this respect.
PUBLICATION; ANTI-RACISM: Very vulnerable children, many of whom have fled from terrible experiences are being educated in mainstream schools
This AGM instructs Council to prepare a campaign of action to ensure that teachers on temporary contracts are not denied employment rights through deliberate breaks in their continuous contracts
Like all social media platforms, TikTok can be used negatively and can contain inappropriate content.
Consultation on tackling intimidation of non-striking workers.
"This AGM instructs Council to investigate and report on the extent to which Local Authorities restrict applications for unpromoted posts to their previous probationers.”
ADVICE; LGBT: This guidance has been updated to take into account the Equality Act 2010
ADVICE; ANTI-ABUSE: Effects of gender related violence and domestic abuse at work - what can trade unions do to help?
The EIS has launched new advice designed to support union members at all levels in understanding the issue of violence against women.
The Employment Relations Committee has produced a number of policies over the years relating to challenging behaviour, violence and physical restraint. The Committee has agreed to bring these documents into a single policy document here.
This AGM instructs Council to review and publish revised advice on working with violent and disruptive pupils and college students.
"This AGM instructs Council to consider ways in which: (i) concerns over excessive workload can be publicised and: (ii) best practice in terms of managing workload can be disseminated."
This AGM instructs Council to campaign against the use of zero hours contracts in employment in educational establishments