Ways to complete probation
A key requirement for the Flexible Route probationary period is that you demonstrate meeting the competences of the Standard for Full Registration and engage in an associated programme of CPD relevant to the subject(s) in which you qualified.
Ways to complete your probationary period include:
- teaching on supply
- teaching in the Scottish independent sector
- completing probation outside Scotland
The length of service that you will need to complete is dependent on your circumstances.
Gaining experience
Depending on your sector, you'll need to gain a variety of teaching experiences, documenting this as you go along.
Primary sector
For the primary sector, it's important that you have responsibility for teaching the whole curriculum to the classes you have taught. If possible, you will discuss your teaching and development needs in your supporter meetings.
Secondary sector
For the secondary sector, it's important to show that you have:
- spent a significant portion of your service with sole responsibility for teaching the subject(s) in which you qualified
- taught as full a spread of classes as possible across the year groups
- taught a significant element of classes pursuing Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) courses
Timescale for completion
Full registration should be obtained no later than five years from the date of provisional registration with us.
If you withdrew from the Teacher Induction Scheme after 1 April in the calendar year in which your induction was due to commence, full registration should be obtained no later than three years from the date of initial registration with us.
Teaching on supply
The most common way for probationers on the Flexible Route to build up their teaching service is through employment in supply posts or by completing temporary contracts in Scottish state schools
Long-term supply
If you are completing all or the majority of your probation in one school, your probationary service should follow a structured process. Each element will act as a building block in developing your interim and final reports. These are used to evidence that you are meeting the SFR.
It's important that you gather your paperwork and record your evidence as you go along. You may have access to a support network throughout your probationary service. For more details visit the support section.
Short-term supply
Teaching opportunities can differ greatly and depending on how you undertake your teaching service, you may not be able to complete your full probationary requirement in a structured way.
You are, however, still required to complete each of the elements covered in the probation process section. It's therefore important that you gather all of your paperwork and record your service as you go along. See the recording your service section for further details on what you are required to complete.
Although you may be working irregularly, and in different school, you may still have access to a support network. For more details visit the support section.
Teaching in the Scottish independent sector
Probationary service can be completed within a Scottish independent school.
Most independent schools provide experiences similar to the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS), whereby probationers are considered for full fegistration after one academic year (190 days), of continuous, full time, relevant and atisfactory teaching service in one school.
Where experiences are not closely aligned to the Teacher Induction Scheme, you would be expected to complete 270 days.
Completing probation outside Scotland
Some teachers on the Flexible Route choose to complete their probationary period outside Scotland.
Teaching service in other parts of the UK or beyond may be acceptable provided the teaching service is relevant to your teaching qualification and reports are submitted to us on interim and final report forms.
Full registration can only be awarded if you have paid your annual GTC Scotland registration fee and your name appears on the current register.
The number of days that you will need to complete is dependent on your circumstances. Please contact the Professional Learning and Development Department for more specific details.