New teachers in Scotland get together in the TES Scotland Probationers Group to discuss career options, to give jobseeking advice and to share their experiences. This is also the place to find a shoulder to cry on if you’re having a tough time.
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!
Hi M1987
Was just reading your post and wanted to firstly congratulate you on your job and NQT year but also to let you know that if you want to teach in Scotland then you don't need to do probation year if you have passed in England. I did my NQT year in England and got full registration with the GTC E. This directly transfers to full registration with the GTC S. You don't need to do any extra time on the flexible route. I can teach in Scotland if i want, but unfortunatley there are no jobs but just thought that this would give you some good news. Good luck
m1987The 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
I was under the impression that there is no probationary year in northern ireland so nothing to stop you going home if oyu want to. :)
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.
BrainboxfoodHi, I was wondering where you read this information? Also, when returning to Scotland to look for work after doing an NQT in England but the PG in Scotland, how favourably it would be looked upon having not completed the probation year in Scotland?
Sorry, meant to include this in my other post.
As far as I know, the requirement for English-registered teachers to do additional probation in the event of a move to Scotland only applies to those whose ITE/ITT was in England, and wouldn't apply to Scottish-PGDE graduates moving back to Scotland after getting English full registration.
But better check with GTCS. My information originated from before the threatened demise of the GTCE, and to be honest I'm not 100% sure I remember it right.
Hi Kelly,
I am currently training to do my PGCE in England and plan to move to Scotland when I have completed in the summer of 2012, how easy was it to get a probationary year in Scotland via the alternative route?
Currently my co- hort can begin to apply for jobs starting April, am I right that I wont be able to do this in Scotland until I have my certificate saying I have passed?
Thanks for your help
Tracy
Hi Tracy
I am pretty sure that it is impossible to get a 'probatiobary year' in Scotland unless you graduate from a Scottish uni. The only option open to you would be to do supply work and you eventually meet the standards for full registration once you have done a certain number of days work (something like 300 days I think).
Last year there was a lot of competition for supply work in Scotland but apparently that is changing a bit since supply teachers are less well paid now.
However in my opinion you would be better off doing your NQT year in England then thinking about moving to Scotland.
Hi Guys,
This post has just thrown my plans in the air. I am currently completing a BA(hons) Primary Education with QTS in England. I have emailled the GTCS and they have said that even if I complete my NQT year in England to be fully registered that I would still have to complete a period of induction. This is why I am taking the risk to move back to Scotland and complete the induction year/flexible route this year rather than waiting a year. From what you have said this is incorrect and the GTCS would give me full registration if I complete my NQT in England? Is this right?
Help!!
Angela x
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