Young teachers welcomed to profession after completing probation

Two young teachers from Shetland have officially been welcomed to the profession after completing their probation.

Emma Nicolson, who teaches business education at Brae High School, and primary teacher Jenny McDonald of Sandwick Junior High School received certificates marking their full registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) in Edinburgh this week.

They were among 60 probationer teachers who attended an event at the Signet Library hosted by minister for schools Keith Brown and addressed by writer and poet Norman Bisset.

Just over 18,000 teachers to date have successfully completed their probationary service through the one-year Teacher Induction Scheme run by the GTCS since 2002. This year 3,013 completed their probation.

Mr Brown said: “The teachers attending this ceremony are testament to the high quality new teachers we have coming through who have completed what is a world-class teacher induction scheme.

“Through Curriculum for Excellence, our new approach to teaching and learning which forms a central part of teacher training, we are focused on equipping young Scots with the skills they need to be a success. In these uncertain economic times it’s essential that we have a confident and skilled population and these teachers will play a crucial role in helping our young people learn and develop.”

Chief executive and registrar of the GTCS Tony Finn added: “I am pleased to be awarding full registration to this group of teachers who are representing all of the newly qualified teachers throughout Scotland. The quality of teachers entering the profession in Scotland today can only be good news for our young people who will benefit from their skills.”