I had to relocate after being allocated my fifth-choice local authority for probation. Despite appealing due to a change in circumstances, my appeal was rejected. Since then, I have relied on this council for employment as most Central Belt authorities do not advertise vacancies to external applicants. I see no realistic way to return to my hometown, where my family and friends are, without giving up teaching.
Since completing probation in 2022, I have interviewed for city-wide recruitment every year, securing one-year contracts and being retained in schools where positions are available. Why must teachers repeatedly prove their suitability for jobs they are already doing successfully? One bad interview could leave an experienced teacher without work for the entire following school year.
There is also inconsistency in whether probationary service counts towards continuous service across local authorities. This should be standardised, particularly in relation to the four-year fixed-term employment legislation, to ensure teachers are treated fairly and have a clear route to permanent employment.
This is answer 51 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.