Highlands welcomes more probationer teachers for 2016/17 session

15th August 2016

Photograph of Highlands welcomes more probationer teachers for 2016/17 session

One hundred and thirty probationer teachers were recently welcomed to the Highlands (on Friday 12 August), at an induction course held in the Highland Council Chamber.

Councillor Drew Millar, chair of Education, Children and Adult Services said: "I am very pleased to see so many people keen to start a career in education. This year we have 10 more probationer teachers than in 2015. I hope that all 130 will stay with us here in the Highlands after their probationary year and Highland Council will be doing all it can to make that possible."

Click Here For LARGER PHOTO

Larger PHOTO - Back Rows

Bill Alexander, Highland Council's Director of Care and Learning also welcomed the 130 probationers starting in the 2016/17 academic year. He added: "Probationer induction day is always special. I hope that the enthusiasm and excitement that our new intake of teachers expresses will be shared throughout our schools where they will be welcomed. I am certain that many will stay with us in Highland Council for many years to come and be a great asset to our school communities."

The new teachers start work in schools across the Highlands this week when primary and secondary pupils return to school following their summer break.

Of the 130 probationers, 51 have been allocated to secondary schools and 79 to primary schools in the Highlands.

The number of probationer teachers in primary schools in each educational area is: 12 in the North, 19 in Mid, 35 in South and 13 in West. The 51 probationer teachers in secondary schools are located in each educational area as follows: in 11 North, 9 in Mid, 22 in South and 9 in West.

The numbers of secondary school probationers who will be working in the following subjects are: Art and Design (1), Biology (4), Business Education (1), Chemistry (2), English (7), French (3), Geography (3), German (1), Home Economics (1), History (10), Mathematics (1), Modern Studies (1), Music (3), Physical Education (9), Physics (2) and Technological Education (2).

The probationer induction day is the first of a number of in-service training days throughout the year specifically allocated to probationer teacher induction and training.

PHOTO (front left to right) Jim Steven, Head of Education; Cllr Drew Millar, Chair of Care and Learning and Bill Alexander, Director of Care and Learning welcome the new probationers to Highland.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Yesterday : Local Authority

Highland Council's £2.1 Billion Investment Plan: Could Higher Interest Rates Put the Squeeze on Future Budgets?

Highland Council is planning to spend around £2.1 billion over 20 years on schools, roads, housing, community facilities and other infrastructure.   It is an ambitious programme, and one which could bring considerable benefits across the Highlands.  

17/9/2026 : Local Authority

New Industry Connect Highland programme to strengthen links between schools and employers

Secondary schools and employers across the Highlands are coming together through a new partnership programme designed to connect classroom learning with future career opportunities and help develop the Highlands future workforce.   Industry Connect Highland, developed through My Highland Future and Workforce North, will run throughout the 2026/27 academic year with an initial focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).  

15/9/2026 : Local Authority

Help Shape Highland's Future: Call for Ideas Extended Until November

Communities, businesses and residents are being given extra time to share ideas that will influence future development and land use across Highland.   The Highland Council has an open Call for Ideas survey, which is inviting people to share ideas on future development and long-term land use in Highland.  

12/9/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness This Week A Region Facing Big Decisions on Energy, Money and Its Future

Caithness has had a busy week, although the individual stories might not initially appear to have much in common.   Look a little more closely, however, and a pattern begins to emerge.  

10/9/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council welcomes funding boost to support households struggling with fuel costs

The Highland Council has welcomed an increase of £750,000 of funding from the SSE Renewables Highland Sustainable Development Fund to support private householders experiencing extreme fuel poverty in Highland.   The two-year grant will support the delivery of the Council’s Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (EES:ABS), funded by The Scottish Government, which funds energy efficiency home improvements that can help lower fuel costs and improve living conditions for Highland residents.  

9/9/2026 : Local Authority

Councillors set to challenge huge Highland powerline plan

Highland councillors are set to reaffirm their opposition to a massive new 400kV powerline stretching across the region when they meet today.   The North and South Planning Committees are joining forces to consider the proposed Spittal–Loch Buidhe–Beauly transmission project, one of the biggest electricity infrastructure schemes ever proposed in the Highlands.  

9/9/2026 : Local Authority

 
Why Are Scottish Pupils Falling Behind England? The PISA Results Demand a Rethink

There are few subjects more important to parents than the education their children receive.  It determines not only what they know when they leave school, but increasingly their opportunities throughout adult life.  

9/9/2026 : Local Authority

From Abeyance to 18 Candidates: What Has Happened to Latheron, Lybster & Clyth Community Council?” 18 Candidates For 6 Seats

Following the close of nominations on Monday 7 September noon, the statements of persons nominated for each community council have been published on the council’s website.  Now able to confirm that out of 20 Community Councils seeking membership, 15 have formed, 4 have not formed and 1 may require an election as they exceed the number of available vacancies.  

8/9/2026 : Local Authority

Where Will the Cuts Fall? Scotland’s Public Services Face Another Squeeze

The Scottish Government is facing a difficult financial year.  But the real question for councils, NHS boards and other public bodies is simple who will absorb the pressure? The latest Scottish Fiscal Commission report contains an important warning for Scotland's public services.  

7/9/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council opens statutory public consultation on a Tiered Fixed-Amount Visitor Levy proposal

All residents, businesses, community groups and visitors are being encouraged to have their say on a proposal for a tiered fixed-rate amount Visitor Levy in Highland.  The public consultation survey is now open (Monday 7 September) for a 12-week statutory period.