Story 29

Age: 38

Teaching Experience: 2-4 years

Contract Type: Fixed Term

I completed my probation year this year July 2024. Aberdeenshire Council did not consider any of us for interviews for any positions going. Instead they filled my school with two probationers. On our last day as a probationer there was no help, nothing to suggest we would get work.

The mentality is one out one in, they know they are hitting their numbers, the probationer manager even mentioned this, they are hitting their KPI and targets so they are fine with the number of probationers. I applied for a few schools that were looking for temporary staff (in Aberdeenshire) – unfortunately really competitive.

One head teacher (although it suggested on the application to let them know if the day/ time was not suitable). The headteacher rejected my application because I was not available the ONE day they had put down for interview as I was on supply and could not turn down work. I was lucky enough that Aberdeen City Council have taken me on as supply and offered me two days fixed work for the year.