This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Teachers flock to work in Scottish schools
30/12/2005
Record numbers of qualified teachers from across the world are flocking to Scotland because of the pay and conditions on offer.
Over 1,400 teachers from outside Scotland registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland in 2005 - up 40 per cent on last year. Almost 500 of these came from England.
Education Minister Peter Peacock said:
"We are determined to meet our ambitious targets to recruit record numbers of teachers. These figures are good news for Scottish education. They show we are on track to reduce class sizes and ensure pupils continue to receive the highest quality teaching.
"Scottish education has an international reputation for high standards and teaching in Scotland has never been more rewarding. The pay and conditions are generous and, of course, the work is vital to the continued success of Scotland."
The Executive has been running a teacher recruitment campaign throughout 2005. Highlighting the excellent pay and conditions ushered in by the McCrone report - as well as the benefits of living in Scotland - it aims to attract qualified teachers from outside Scotland. The campaign also encourages final year students and graduates in Scotland, and those considering a career change, to take up teaching.
Registrations of teachers from outwith Scotland, 2005
January - 127
February - 58
March - 34
April - 202
May - 137
June - 110
July - 154
August - 179
September - 129
October - 145
November - 119
December - 71
Total - 1465
The starting salary for a qualified teacher in Scotland is now £22,860. In addition, teachers in Scotland enjoy excellent conditions such as a 35-hour week, more time away from the classroom to mark and prepare work, guaranteed levels of training and the chance to achieve chartered status.