More career options for teachers in Scotland

New ways for teachers and headteachers to progress their careers are to be adopted in Scotland by August 2021.

The Independent Panel on Career Pathways for Teachers has recommended that teachers have better access to coaching, mentoring and sabbaticals, to benefit teachers, schools and the education system by widening experience, and creating opportunities for head teachers to progress to roles in local authorities and contribute to Regional Improvement Collaboratives (RICs). It also recommends that all teachers get options to complete a Masters degree through Initial Teacher Education (ITE).

The creation of specialist ‘Lead Teacher’ roles, focused on areas such as curriculum, best practice in teaching and provision for pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN), has also been suggested.

The Panel also called for a consistent approach and better cross-boundary information sharing between local authorities to identify recruitment challenges and fill vacancies.

The changes will be considered by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, made up of the Scottish Government, COSLA and unions.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Teaching is an attractive and rewarding profession, with more teachers in Scottish schools since 2010 and the student teacher intake increasing for three years in a row. We want to provide ways to nurture the tremendous amount of talent that exists in our schools and to do so we must continue to empower current teachers by increasing their options for progression, enabling them to carve their own career pathway.

“This report provides additional pathways for teachers to take at all stages of their careers. Opportunities for development alongside teaching responsibilities will allow valued current teachers to flourish and increase their skills in new directions, for greater job satisfaction and to enhance the learning experience for pupils.

“The creation of Lead Teacher roles in the profession, alongside current pathways offering progression and ongoing training towards headship, opens up a greater variety of options for teachers who are considering their next steps, to empower those with the passion, drive and expertise to contribute to future education policy.

“Once implemented, these pathways will represent a huge increase in the breadth of opportunities a teaching career offers.”

The Independent Panel on Career Pathways for Teachers was established to identify flexible pathways and opportunities for teachers and headteachers.