One hundred and forty two probationer teachers who are on the Teacher Induction Scheme and a few probationer teachers on the Flexible Route were recently welcomed to the Highlands (on Friday 11 August 2017) at an induction course held in Smithton Free Church Hall.
Bill Alexander, Highland Council's Director of Care and Learning welcomed the probationers saying: "It's really good to see so many young people starting their careers in education here in the Highland and I wish them all well. We hope we are able to retain as many of them as possible after their years' probation as the Highlands has a lot to offer as a place to live and work in. We greatly value the role teachers play in the lives of our young people and believe that high quality teaching underpins the successes our pupils achieve."
Jim Steven, Head of Education added: "This is an exciting day for all of our new probationers, and it is also an exciting day for the Highland Council. Each and every one is an asset to Highland communities, and to the schools, children and families they will be working with over the next year. I am confident that they will enjoy working in their new schools, and I hope that they all settle in the Highlands for many years to come."
The new teachers start working in schools across the Highlands when primary and secondary pupils return to school following their summer break.
Of the 142 probationers on the Teacher Induction Scheme, 58 have been allocated to secondary schools and 84 to primary schools in the Highlands.
The number of these probationer teachers in primary schools in each educational area is: 12 North, 22 Mid, 35 South and 15 West. The 58 probationer teachers in secondary schools are located in each educational area as follows: 15 North, 6 Mid, 26 South and 11 West.
The secondary school probationers will be working in the following subjects areas: Art and Design (2), Biology (3), Business Education (1), Chemistry (5), English (5), French (4), Geography (7), Home Economics (1), History (5), Mathematics (5), Music (2), Physical Education (14), Physics (3) and Technological Education (1).
The probationer teachers' induction day is the first of a number of in-service training days throughout the year specifically allocated to probationer teacher induction and ongoing professional learning.
