Teaching
Teaching in the independent sector
Many teachers are attracted to the independent sector because the schools provide a purposeful learning environment where teachers are encouraged to be innovative in the classroom. Parents are supportive, children are keen to learn and pupil/teacher ratios are low. Independent schools also offer excellent teacher induction training, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and good career prospects. There are currently around 3,500 teachers employed in independent mainstream, special needs and specialist schools in Scotland. Most are fully registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), the professional regulatory body for teachers.
Job opportunities - applying for supply and permanent teaching posts
Independent schools seek to recruit committed and enthusiastic teachers who are passionate about their subject and keen to contribute to the wider life of the school. Permanent teaching posts currently vacant are shown in the link, on the right. You may also wish to contact individual schools via our searchable database, on the right. Schools also advertise positions in the press, including the Times Educational Supplement. A database of teachers seeking supply positions in independent nursery, primary and secondary schools in Scotland is maintained by SCIS and passed to member schools when they have vacancies to fill. To add your name to the list please send an email. Teaching salaries and conditions of service in independent, fee-paying schools are competitive, as most schools pay teachers above the national pay scales. Many schools participate in the Scottish Teachers' Superannuation Scheme and all SCIS schools are committed to ongoing training and development of their staff through our CPD programme.
Teaching resources available from TES
At TES Resources, teachers can access lesson plans, teaching resources and teaching aids which are all available at no charge. The website, which is used by over 230,000 teachers each week, contains over 44,000 teaching resources. For a heavily discounted subscription to Times Educational Supplement Scotland (TESS), please click here.