What key differences are there for teachers working in state schools by comparison to other sectors?
If you work in a state school the Local Authority contractually employs you.
In a school you will be expected to perform such duties that the Head teacher requires within a reasonable time scale, and will be expected to do additional hours in order to discharge your professional duties.
As part of your pay and conditions you are required to:
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Teach and have pastoral responsibilities for your students
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Report on students progress
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Maintain order and discipline
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Prepare students for examinations
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Attend staff meetings and parents’ evenings
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Attend in-service training
Probationer teachers in Scotland are required to complete a period of probation. This is the period of time in which they develop their teaching skills and benefit from the support of their colleagues. That support helps them become integrated into school life. It is necessary so that today's new teachers are able to take on the demands and responsibilities of teaching. Probationer teachers are normally required to complete four school terms of successful probationary service i.e. 270 days.
In the state sector schools are divided into types according to who runs and maintains them.
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Community Schools- run by the LA
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Voluntary Aided-run by the LA but a foundation (usually religious) appoints most of the governing body
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Foundation- these were originally Grant Maintained Schools. The governing body are the contractual employers.
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Community Special Schools- Special schools run by LA.
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Specialist
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normally in technology, languages, sports or arts. They receive extra funding and offer training to local schools and specialists classes.
What benefits are available to teachers working in state schools by comparison to other sectors? How can these influence their professional development?
There is a clear, structured pay scale for all state teachers. In state schools you are able to take advantage of the Teachers Pension Scheme that the LA also pays into. The Teachers Pension Scheme is still recognised to be one of the best available.
You are not bound to take after school clubs or undertake a duty during your lunch hour.
There is a high level of professionalism required of state education teachers. To ensure this level continues to improve, the LA provides additional training courses along with in-service training days in school.
Do teachers need any special qualifications to be able to teach in the state sector?
To teach in the state sector teachers have to have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). To gain this you are required to have a degree and a formal teaching qualification (although the two can be combined), which is designed for the age group and subject they are teaching. You need to reach the ‘Professional Standards for Qualified Teacher Status’ by the end of your formal training to gain QTS.
To become a full teacher you need to reach the Induction Standards by the end of your Induction Period.
If you are from overseas the degree must be equivalent to a degree from the UK, you should have the equivalent of GCSE English and Maths and you should be qualified to teach in your own country, then a conversion programme can be followed once in a school to gain QTS.
If you have a Doctorate you are not automatically allowed to teach in a secondary school, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Further or Adult Education only allows you to teach in Post 16 institutions.
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