Council welcomes new batch of teachers

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has welcomed 40 newly qualified teachers (NQTs) to 18 primary schools and all nine secondary schools across the region to begin their induction year.

They gathered in Galashiels for an induction day last week to mark the start of their training year.

This year, 20 primary and 17 secondary NQTs are participating in the Teaching Induction Scheme.

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There are five more teachers who originally trained in England and who are now on the Flexible Route in order to complete their probationary term of 270 days training so they can teach full-time in Scotland.

In order to teach in Scottish schools, teachers must complete a one-year training post to ensure that they meet the Teacher’s Standard and become registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCs).

SBC’s director of education and lifelong learning, Glenn Rodger, welcomed the new NQTs to the Borders, explaining: “We aspire for our schools to be the best in Scotland and the quality of teaching directly affects the quality of the learning experience our children have.

“The latest NQTs are starting their careers at a time which is both challenging and exciting as the new Curriculum for Excellence begins to be implemented and I wish them all well, during their training year and in the future.”

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SBC’s executive member for education, Councillor Sandy Aitchison, added: “It is really encouraging to welcome the NQTs to our schools this year. We have such great wealth of knowledge and experience in our schools, so we are delighted to be able to offer excellent support and encouragement to these new teachers in their first year of teaching.

“I am sure pupils and staff will really enjoy having these NQTs in their schools over the forthcoming year. Their experiences will, I am sure, put them in good stead for a long and successful career in teaching.”

NQTs have been designated to all nine secondary schools and the following primary schools this year: Broomlands and Edenside primary schools in Kelso, Denholm, Earlston, Eyemouth, Greenlaw, Lauder, and Melrose primary schools, Parkside primary in Jedburgh, Priorsford, Peebles, St Ronan’s, Innerleithen, St Margaret’s and St Peter’s in Galashiels, Stow, Trinity in Hawick, Walkerburn primary school and Burnfoot community school.