I am lucky as I have a perm role and one I enjoy but keeping this role means I have a 3/4 hour commute every day at least. I live in Argyll and work in highlands.
After 3 years, last 2 with paying rental costs near the school, I have decided to take a career break and head back to Australia ( where I trained). I am a registered ASNT.
This frees up a long term fixed contract for someone but I would probably have stayed in the role if it was closer to home. Nothing nearby for years. It’s been an expensive 3 years and I feel like I have paid for the privilege of working. I live on an island ( my choice, granted but also the family home) so I have upkeep of 2 cars, 2 households and pay rent and a mortgage. As I say, at least I have a job but it’s been an effort.
Mental and economical. Also, no tax rebates unless I commute every day. Rental for employment is not covered.
I’ll be heading in a supply role to another remote/regional school overseas- with incentives, including free travel, subsidised ( or free rental) and some have sign on fees up to £10 k.
I am near the end of my career/s. But I worry Scotland will lose the best of its teachers to other careers and/or overseas. I have already contacted MSP s with some ideas but also been advised that this was a council call, not Scottish govt. I will however give a shout out to Ms Emma Roddick MSP, Highlands/Lochaber and islands/ population minister who took up my case with council and has been very attentive.
I find Scotland( councils Patti) narrow thinking when there are various solutions. And dont get me started on recruiting processes which are not simply archaic. As an former ( Scots) lawyer, HR and recruiter, I feellike can comment here with some knowledge. I suspect it comes down to lack of respect for the teaching profession.
Never been in a profession ( and I’ve had a few) where constantly asked to prove you are doing what you are trained to do. The Scottish education system needs a big shake up. And perhaps centralised for economical and consistency sake.
This account was published on the original campaign website in November 2024. We have kept the contributor’s wording and anonymous story number.
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