I excelled during probation [assessment and council details removed]. I have a first class degree. I genuinely am good at my job. There has not been a single job come up within an hour commute of me. My only option so far has been supply.
I was recently given some bad fertility news which meant I need to start treatment ASAP if I want to have a family and I cannot. Without having a stable job/income to secure a mortgage or having the ability to take paid maternity leave, I am having to keep pursuing teaching and putting fertility and house buying on hold.
Before you even say ‘just look elsewhere’… I have applied for so many jobs outside of teaching and haven’t even gotten an interview. It has actually taken a real toll on my relationships with family and friends as I am so stressed all of the time and I just avoid seeing them so they don’t ask about work.
This is answer 52 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.