Not having a secure or permanent job in teaching is making me feel like my life is on hold. I don’t feel able to move out, get married or start a family because I don’t have that stability behind me. It’s having a major impact on my mental health and I’m finding it really difficult.
When I do get work, I feel like I have to say yes to absolutely everything because I’m constantly worried that if I don’t, I won’t be brought back or considered for work again. I just want some security and to feel like I can actually start moving forward with my life.
This is answer 119 of the 269 written answers that teachers let us quote anonymously in the Scottish Teacher Employment Survey 2026. It answers the survey’s last question: what do the people who make decisions about teacher employment need to know?
We have corrected spelling, added paragraph breaks and removed details that could identify anyone. Words in square brackets are ours.