Anonymous survey answerSurvey Nº 050

The application process is often not transparent, therefore it is unclear why I am not getting a job in Scotland but easily find work abroad.

Back from teaching abroad and thinking of leaving again

Published 5 October 2026 · 1 min read

Employment situation: On a supply list, no work
Sector: Primary

Thinking of leaving

I had to move abroad for a few years due to a lack of teaching jobs in Scotland. I returned this year and the situation has not improved. I am thinking of leaving again because I am relying on family. The application process is often not transparent, therefore it is unclear why I am not getting a job in Scotland but easily find work abroad.

This is answer 50 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.

Every answer in the report (PDF) Survey results

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