Story response

I WAS extremely disappointed that your article last week entitled “Teacher numbers” did not fully represent the facts of the situation regarding teacher workforce planning in Scotland.

Your article cited statistical modelling which does not represent the number of teachers to be trained in Scotland in the coming years. Instead, that modelling is merely used as a starting point for annual discussions with the Teacher Workforce Planning Advisory Group when agreeing required teacher training intake.

While our longer term statistical modelling suggests a potential requirement to reduce primary training numbers because of an anticipated stabilising pupil roll in future years, the group also considers other factors – such as the teacher census, local demand, the number of teachers leaving or returning to the profession and the number of students not completing their course – before making final decisions on teacher training numbers.

John Swinney, Deputy First Minister.