Parents told to submit FOI to find out about new teacher

Parents who were asked to help a secondary school find maths teachers to fill vacant posts will have to await the results of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to find out how many applications have been received.

Earlier this month, the head teacher of Trinity Academy in Edinburgh sent a letter to parents saying the school had been unable to recruit suitable candidates and cited the national teacher shortage as the major cause.

The closing date for applications was Thursdaybut last night Edinburgh City Council said it was unable to disclose how many teachers had applied and recommended that anyone seeking information should submit an FOI request which takes up to 20 working days.

Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary, said the council needed to tell parents what measures were being taken to address the crisis.