I have been on temporary contracts since I qualified in 2017. I absolutely love teaching and do not want to leave, but it is very mentally draining every year when I have to try to secure a job every August with no guarantees.
I met the requirements for permanency in [council removed] in 2020 but was told that due to Covid, the whole permanency process was on hold. At this time I was doing a teaching role in Support for Learning, and wanted back into my subject. I applied for a maternity cover in [another council] within my subject and was successful, so I left. My union rep fought to get me my permanency status, but was unsuccessful.
I spent 2 years building service in [that council], then I was requested back to [council removed] to my original school to cover my subject. I came back, and have been in the authority since. I then reapplied for permanency in 2023, having met it for a second time, and was told that I am due this however it does not guarantee me work. It feels totally pointless.
In April 2026, I received an email saying that there were a few permanent positions now available within my subject in [council removed], but as there are now a few teachers in my subject in my position we would all be interviewed for the posts. I went for the interview and was unsuccessful, and later found out that those who were successful had already been working in the schools where the vacancies were, some for 2 years, so how can I compete with them?
I then found out on the last week of term in June that my school wanted to keep me but did not have the budget to do so, so I was given 2.5 days from August to April. On return to school in August, I was then told I’m needed 5 days so I now do 2.5 days on a temp supply basis. Have yet to receive a contract from the council but I am so grateful I have something.
The whole system is a mess and I hear of many teachers leaving the profession which is so sad. I can’t move forward with my life due to the uncertainty I face every year. Permanency and service mean nothing to me anymore and if permanent jobs come up elsewhere I will be applying. My situation is not unique sadly and no other profession treats employees like this.
This is answer 178 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.