Click on a link below to find out more:

• Association of Directors of Education in Scotland
• EIS
• General Teaching Council Scotland
• Headteachers' Association Scotland
• Learning and Teaching Scotland
• NASUWT
• NUT
• Scottish Executive Education Department
• Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association

Association of Directors of Education in Scotland

ADES exists to promote public awareness of, and make national representation on, issues affecting the education service.

It maintains close and regular contact with central government, COSLA and other national bodies.

It safeguards and promotes the professional interests of membersby giving advice, and by providing opportunities for professional development.

It monitors the remuneration and conditions of service of members and strives to ensure they are in accordance with those obtaining nationally for other professions.

EIS

Founded in 1847 The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) is the oldest teaching union in the world.

Today the Institute has over 59,000 members working in Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Special Education, right through to Further and Higher Education. 

EIS members may receive advice, support and representation from the EIS when they most need it. This could be, for example, when they are threatened with legal action or need help with other legal matters. Assistance will be needed too on occasions that individual teachers face the possibility of disciplinary action by the school, local authority or other employer or by the General Teaching Council. The EIS set up assistance Helpline to provide stress counselling, victim support, bereavement counselling and personal legal advice for all EIS members.

General Teaching Council Scotland

The General Teaching Council for Scotland is the independent regulatory body which aims to maintain and enhance teaching standards and promote the teaching profession in Scotland. They strive to be a world leader in professional educational issues.

The principal aims of the GTCS:

• To contribute to the development of a world-class educational system in Scotland;
• To maintain and to enhance professional standards in schools and colleges in collaboration with partners;
• To be recognised as an advocate for the teaching profession

Headteachers' Association of Scotland

The mission of the association is two fold -

• To promote the highest standards of education in Scotland's secondary schools.
• To provide for the needs and interest of members
• To be a major factor in influencing educational policy at national and local level

Learning and Teaching Scotland

The Learning and Teaching Scotland is the main organisation for the development and support of the Scottish curriculum. They work with the Scottish Executive and education authorities to take forward the national education improvement agenda.

NASUWT

NASUWT is the largest union representing teachers and head teachers throughout the UK. 'Putting Teachers First' is the philosophy and practice which has made NASUWT one of the largest and the fastest growing of the teacher unions.

We have sought to build a website that is a useful and an integral part of the Union's communication, organising and servicing strategies. As a member you will have access to the latest bulletins, reports and publications from NASUWT, as well as up-to-the-minute education news, information on the latest teaching posts, free legal and financial advice and the ability to book training courses online.

In addition to this, you can access information and advice on crossing the threshold, performance management, pay and conditions, pensions and health and safety.

Students, NQTs and Beginning Teachers have their own sections with advice, guidance and essential information.

NUT

The NUT is a trade union and a professional association, working on professional and cirrucular issues as well as conditions of service and pay. The NUT only recruits qualified teachers, or those who are on courses or in posts that will lead to teacher qualification, so it is best placed to speak on behalf of the profession. The NUT prioritises the interests of teachers, including all of their professional needs. 

Scottish Executive Education Department

The Education Department aims:

• To ensure that every child or young person is able to develop to their fullest potential.
• To ensure all children have access to early learning and quality care.
• To promote social justice for children and young people.
• To raise standards and broaden achievement in education.
• To modernise schools, strengthen leadership in schools and reward professionalism in teaching
• To increase the success of Scotland's tourism industry
• To broaden access to and involvement in the arts, culture and sport and enhance the contribution they make to Scotland's wellbeing
• To contribute to the physical environment through preserving Scotland's built heritage and promoting and encouraging better architecture

Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association

Founded in 1944, the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association is Scotland's second largest teachers' union, set up to focus on secondary issues, initially as a reaction to the undue influence exercised on national education issues at that time by the primary sector. Nowadays this has developed into a commitment to ensure that the secondary view is properly represented. From its inception the SSTA has been a real trade union, with twin aims:

• To advance education in Scotland
• To safeguard and promote the interests of Scottish secondary teachers in all matters, especially those which affect salaries and conditions of service.