SCOTTISH SCHOOLS IN CRISIS OVER HEADTEACHER SHORTAGE

(ABOVE) John Swinney - Education Secretary

A shortage in headteachers is having to be addressed by the Scottish Government as the issue reaches crisis point with some forced to operate from multiple schools, education secretary John Swinney says teachers interested in this promotion should be “identified” and encouraged into the role.

The Headteacher Recruitment Working Group, which comprises of members of the Scottish Government, professional education groups and trade unions, suggested the Scottish Government work closely with local councils to participate in the Into Headship qualification and ensure it’s being ran successfully to cover all regions. At the conference for the Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS) John Swinney has said: “While the number of teachers in promoted posts increased last year and average age of headteachers is reducing, Scotland needs more headteachers to inspire pupils and teachers to reach their full potential.”

The working group headteacher recruitment report also found that the issue was at its worst in rural and denominational regions with 50% of head’s being over the age of 50, effort is also being 

made to lower that and make the promotion attainable for more teachers. 

There has been a strong increase in the number of Scottish primary schools having to share head teachers as there are simply not enough. In 2010 this number was at 239 which has increased to 390. However more concern is made for the fact that there are 420 teachers in Scotland with headship qualifications not being used.

There are various reasons as to why a teacher wouldn’t want to take the leap including disputes with pay or some with a fear of the pressure this workload would bring as the weight of operating multiple schools could be too great. One local teacher, anonymous, believes: 

“Just now in education there are a few issues and people are speaking up about what they’re facing. Therefore I wonder if because people are finding issues with education, they are becoming less motivated and inspired to move up the ranks. 

I wouldn’t be interested in taking a promotion. I wanted to be a teacher because I wanted to work with, help and support children. I personally feel being a head teacher takes away that opportunity for teaching, guiding and supporting children as there is paperwork and other things you need to do. They aren’t working with a class of children watching them grow and helping them progress everyday and I think I would miss that if I went into a management role.”