Trainee teacher quality concerns
CONCERNS have been raised after latest figures revealed a dramatic increase in the number of trainee teachers forced to repeat a year because they are not regarded as having met the appropriate standard.
A report from the General Teaching Council for Scotland highlights record numbers of so-called “retrieval” students, rising from 155 in 2013-14 to the current figure of 237.
The Association of Directors of Education in Scotland voiced concerns about the quality of trainee teachers, saying: “Some local authorities also report concerns about quality in relation to student and probationer teachers, with an increase in the number of requests from universities for local authorities to accept ‘retrieval’ students and probationers who, in the opinion of their host school supporter and mentor, do not meet the required standards.”
The concerns were raised in a submission to the Scottish Parliament’s Education Committee, which is looking at the current crisis in recruitment.
THE quality of Scotland’s trainee teachers has been criticised after a 50 per cent rise in the number of probationers having to repeat a year because they were not seen as being of an appropriate standard.
The Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) said councils had recorded a dramatic increase in so-called “retrieval” students.
Figures from the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) back up the ADES claim showing record numbers of retrieval students. In 2013-14 there were 155 retrieval students, but the figure for the current year has climbed to 237 – the highest on record.
The ADES’s concerns are highlighted in a submission to the Scottish Parliament’s Education Committee which is looking at the current crisis in recruitment.
The submission states: “Some local authorities also report concerns about quality in relation to student and probationer teachers, with an increase in the number of requests from universities for local authorities to accept ‘retrieval’ students and probationers who, in the opinion of their host school supporter and mentor, do not meet the required standards.”
The ADES said another side-effect of the shortage of subject teachers in secondary schools was that some schools were struggling to offer places to student teachers and probationers because there were not enough experienced teachers to mentor them.
However, Ken Muir, director of the GTCS, said retrieval students should not be seen as failing the course.
He said: “The non-completion can be for a range of reasons such as ill-health, family circumstances or failing to complete the work as required. We do not keep data on reasons for retrieval.
“Each student has a further year to complete their course and can join the teacher induction scheme the following year if they do so.
“It is important this is not seen as a failure of students. They may not have completed their studies for a host of reasons and while there has been an increase this year, there was a drop the previous year.”
The concern arose as it emerged that trainee teachers are reporting gaps in their knowledge of basic skills such as literacy and numeracy. A survey of probationer
It is important this is not seen as a failure of students
teachers published by the Scottish Government shows many would like more training on key subjects. One stated: “I received very little training or education on early literacy and the mechanics of learning to read.”
In numeracy 15 per cent said they lacked confidence in their own knowledge with 27 per cent lacking confidence in their ability to teach it. Many trainees had positive experiences, but one said: “No examples of lessons or how to teach... mental or written mathematical strategies was taught.”
Other probationer teachers felt that they were also “learning on the job” and were finding it difficult to cater for all needs within their classroom. The report goes on to recommend that universities review their entry requirements to ensure applicants are of the highest quality.