Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone could help me with this as I can't seem to get a straight answer from TDA, GTC etc?

I have been doing the PGDE Primary Teaching course at Glasgow University.  Unfortunately I am required to resit one placement and therefore I am unable to take up my probationary year post this month as I should have been doing.  I can still do this beginning next August, and was told I can do supply teaching in Scotland until then (provided I pass resit). However my partner ia currently living in Portsmouth as his job moved him down there and so I am trying to find out if it is possible for me to work down here instead. I know the rules and routes are different in England but not really sure how to go about things.  I'm registered with the GTCS, I imagine I would need to register with GTCE but I am confused as to what I need to do and what options are available to me in England.  I think I need to be told step-by-step!!  It's all sorted for you in Scotland really, it seems a bit tougher in England.

 Hi

 I was in exactly your position last year! I did the BEd at Glasgow, had to resit my final placement due to illness and ended up graduating in December after completing my placement last August (when I should have been starting probation. I *would* have done supply until the time came to do my probation this August, butthere was none available, the list was closed etc. I got fed up and moved to London where I got supply work straight away and was on a long term assignment when the HT told me they had a vacancy and I should apply. I got the job and am now starting my NQT year next week. I had to register with GTCE and I will still be observed throughout this year and have to meet all the standard, just like probation in Scotland, but I'm in a school I've chosen and best thing... I won't be chicked out after a year!! The only drawback is that if I want to teach in Scotland in future I will need to 'serve my probation' via the flexible route, on supply, which will be a nightmare! For now, I'm happy and excited! It's something to think about! 

 Good Luck! 

I actually know about this, to some extent, as I live near the border, and worked in both systems as a(n alternative route) probationer/NQT...

English PGCEs and Scotiish PGDEs are both accepted on either side of the border.

(Welsh PGDE too, probably)

I'm unsure what the situation with the GTCE is, as it's being abolished. It certainly used to be the case that you need to complete an NQT year in England, and that SHORT-TERM SUPPLY DID NOT COUNT TOWARDS THIS. I think the minimum allowable contract was a term... I don't know if this had to be in English schools, state schools/private schools, sorry.

GTCS will accept even a single day's supply (principally in your subject) in any school, England or Scotland - there's a form to log odd-and-sod days in the interim report/final report packs.

Once you're fully registered in either country, the full registration can be transferred - my full Scottish registration was rubber-stamped in about a week by GTCE.

I decided against getting full registration in England and then transferring to Scotland simply because most of my work was in Scotland, so it was easier for me this way. Given the uncertainty of the GTCE situation I suspect the same route would work for you too.

But why don't you keep your name on the list for the induction scheme until you're sure you won't need it? It is, after all, a guaranteed job for a year, which is not something to be tossed aside lightly in these times...

Finally, the people at GTCS were invariably helpful and polite.