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Teaching

Teaching in the independent school sector in Scotland

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 - see link on the right.

Permanent and supply teaching posts at independent schools

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 'Jobs' link, on the right. You may also wish to contact individual schools via our searchable database, 'Find a School', 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 given to member schools when they have a supply post to fill. To add your name, please send an email using the 'Supply List' link, on the right. 

Teaching salaries and conditions of service 

Teaching salaries and conditions of service in independent, fee-paying schools are competitive, as most independent 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 the SCIS CPD programme and their own in-service training.