The sunlight spills into Briony Farrell’s Madrid apartment, a warm contrast to the cold reality she faced back in Scotland. Teaching at an international school in Spain wasn’t part of her plan. She wanted to stay home. But with no full-time positions available after her probation year, she had no choice but to look elsewhere.
New Teachers Struggle to Find Work in Scotland
Briony is not alone. Many newly qualified teachers in Scotland find themselves in a similar situation—trained, eager, and ready to work, yet unable to secure a stable job.
She recalls the frustration: “You give your all during that probation year because you’re hoping for a job at the end of it. But then, you’re told there won’t even be interviews. That was crushing.”
The numbers back her up. Official figures published in December show Scotland’s teacher workforce declined by 621 last year, with primary schools taking the biggest hit.
A staggering 26 out of 32 councils reduced their teaching staff, despite government promises to add 3,500 positions by 2026. Instead, primary schools lost hundreds of roles, while secondary schools and early years centres also saw cuts.
The Reality of Zero-Hour Teaching Contracts
For those who don’t leave the country, options are bleak. Some end up on zero-hour contracts, waiting daily for a phone call that may never come.
Briony explains, “I was lucky to find work in Madrid. But ultimately, this isn’t where I want to be. I want to be in Scotland, teaching Scotland’s kids. That’s where my heart is.”
Her words reflect the broader issue. Teaching, a profession once seen as stable and rewarding, now leaves many graduates in limbo. Those who stay in Scotland often juggle unpredictable supply work, making long-term financial and personal planning nearly impossible.
A Sharp Decline in Permanent Teaching Roles
The drop in permanent jobs is alarming. Just a few years ago, most newly qualified teachers could expect to find stable employment. Now, the figures paint a much bleaker picture.
| Year | Percentage of Primary Teachers in Permanent Roles (September After Probation) |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 60% |
| 2023 | 16.6% |
| 2024 | 12.8% |
The decline is stark. While nearly 60% of primary teachers secured permanent jobs in 2017, the figure now sits at just 12.8%. Secondary teachers have fared slightly better, with 47% securing permanent roles, but the trend remains downward.
‘The System is Flooded with Teachers Who Have No Job Prospects’
Briony believes the government must act. “The number of PGDE students needs to be reduced. Every year, probationers are thrown into the system with little to no job prospects.”
Beyond that, she argues, something must be done to support the thousands of teachers stuck in a backlog of uncertainty. Many are unable to get even short-term work. Others, desperate to stay in the profession, take on low-paid, unstable contracts that offer no security.
“It’s devastating,” she says. “You spend years training, only to find there’s nothing for you at the end of it. It’s demoralizing, and it’s pushing good teachers out of Scotland.”
Government Response: Promises, but No Immediate Fix
Education minister Jenny Gilruth acknowledges the issue. “We know some teachers are finding it challenging to get jobs, and we are working closely with COSLA on that.”
The government’s plan includes:
- Establishing an Education Assurance Board to review workforce planning.
- Working with local authorities to create more permanent contracts.
- Reviewing the probationer scheme to ensure it meets current needs.
But for teachers like Briony, these steps may come too late. “We’ve heard promises before,” she says. “What we need is real action, now. Otherwise, more teachers will leave, and Scotland’s education system will suffer in the long run.”
For now, Briony remains in Madrid, doing what she loves—but not where she wants to be. She is just one of many Scottish teachers forced abroad, waiting for a chance to come home.
