Graduates failing to make grade in Higher English

Teacher shortage compounded by failings

An “increasingly critical” shortage of science and maths teachers is being compounded by graduates not reaching the required standard in English, Dundee academics have warned.

The university was responding to a Holyrood probe into the shortfall, which has found that addressing pay and workload is “fundamental” to fixing the workforce crisis.

Education secretary John Swinney confirmed this week there are nearly 700 vacancies in Scotland’s schools. In Angus alone, 21 teacher posts were unfilled at the start of term.

A Dundee University response to the Scottish Parliament education committee’s investigation said some of the problems in recruiting teachers for STEM – science, technology, education and maths – subjects were down to applicants not making the grade in Higher English,” it said.

“Secondary subjects, particularly in the STEM area, have traditionally been difficult to recruit to. This situation has become increasingly critical over the last 10 years. Many of the STEM graduates can secure greater salaries going into industry or other graduate employment.

“Not all graduate applicants with a science or engineering background meet the GTCS (General Teaching Council Scotland) entry requirement for Higher English.”

The Holyrood committee, which heard evidence from more than 650 teachers and trainees, has more than 30 recommendations to help deal with the teacher shortage, including offering financial incentives for teachers from elsewhere in the UK.

James Dornan, the committee’s convener, said: “We are recommending reducing the ‘box ticking’ elements of their roles; providing financial reward and status for classroom teachers; providing more promotion opportunities and setting manageable workloads for headteachers.”

Mr Swinney said he will study the recommendations carefully adding: “Investment by this government has directly resulted in 253 more teachers last year and this week I announced the expansion of our teacher recruitment campaign, the first phase of which has already led to thousands more undergraduate students seriously considering teaching as a career at some point in the future.”