THE NUMBER of newly qualified teachers in Scotland finding full-time, permanent classroom posts appears to be at its highest level for five years.
Figures from the General Teaching Council showed that 35.4% of new staff entering the profession this session walked into unrestricted jobs at the chalkface.
This was a rise from 20.9% last year and just 16.1% the previous year, and was the highest since 2006-07 when 40.8% secured full-time positions
The survey is based on only 570 responses from 1,857 questionnaires, a response rate of 30.7%. This is a slightly lower rate than last year and significantly lower than the three previous years when the response rate was more than 40%.
The latest figures provide encouragement for new teachers, however, and a reason for their greater success in finding permanent posts is the high number of older teachers taking retirement.
Replacing high-earning experienced staff with newly qualified teachers at the bottom of the pay scale also allows councils to cut their wage bills.
There were also rises in the number of teachers who secured full-time temporary contracts (up from 24.8% to 26%) and part-time permanent posts (up from 1.6% to 4.9%).
Those having to take supply contracts or go on supply lists are down as are those who are unemployed.
Anthony Finn, chief executive of the GTC for Scotland said: “Despite this good progress, there is still some way to go before the employment prospects of new teachers return to the levels of a few years ago.”
The response rate to the survey was relatively low but he insisted it was still a valid sample and provided information about the employment prospects of probationer teachers, “who are some of the best qualified and most talented in the world.”
Dundee City Council education convener Stewart Hunter said: “Opportunities for probationary teachers have been created in Dundee over a number of years.
“We are keen that these teachers can get the chance to take the education of our pupils forward.”
Angus Council gave 10 permanent primary contracts, eight permanent secondary contracts and issued eight temporary contracts.
Perth and Kinross Council have employed 29 post-probationers in 2012-12, and a spokeswoman added: “We continue to work to provide opportunities for newly-qualified teaching staff to develop their skills and gain further experience in the classroom..”
Kevin Funnell, of Fife Council’s education service, said the authority has an excellent record in appointing teachers, including post probationers, to both permanent and temporary posts annually.
“This is a result of effective workforce planning, which also ensures that we are able to continue to support the teacher induction programme for Scotland.”
aargo@thecourier.co.uk