Testimonies from local teachers looking for work

Renfrewshire has axed 210 teaching posts in the last two years – this is a three times faster rate of teacher axing than the Scottish average. Renfrewshire has also gone from average pupil:teacher ratios to worst in all of Scotland.

Some of the 370 probationary teachers Renfrewshire employed over the last two years who never got a full-time, permanent job at the end of it, have contacted my office in 2008-09. Obviously now with 210 fewer teacher posts in Renfrewshire their options are reducing still further.

Below are 3 examples of teachers who cannot find work locally. Their names have been changed to preserve their anonymity because they fear possible disciplinary action for breach of contract if they speak out publicly.

Karen

Karen has had 4 ½ days supply since August. For the last month she has been working as an attendant at the Cinema in the Phoenix, from 6.30-11pm to leave her free to take any supply work that comes up during the day. She got married after she finished her probationary year in Sept 08 – but with no teaching job she cannot get a mortgage or start a family. She says ex pupil’s tease her when they see her selling tickets.

Below is the testimony she sent me in August.

“I am a newly qualified teacher. I completed my probationary year in Renfrewshire in 2008 and have since spent the last year actively looking for work within my chosen profession without success.

I feel let down by the SNP and their empty promises. I chose to study the 4 year BEd Honours course in Primary Teaching at Strathclyde University. I was reassured that there would be a huge shortage of teacher at the point of qualifying so there would be no issue in gaining a job in this sector. I have a collection of rejection letters from various councils for posts I have applied for. My lack of job I believe is due to the SNP’s lack of commitment to their manifesto set in 2007. I have had irregular supply work over the last year and feel it is time to voice my concerns and seek answers.

I have been in contact with Renfrewshire Council to find out if there is any supply work yet. I was told there was still nothing in and then informed that I was not to show my commitment and enthusiasm for getting work by phoning them in the morning, they had my details and would contact me if anything came in. I, for my own peace of mind, like to know I am being proactive in getting up, getting ready and calling in to seek work but have basically been told not to bother. What message is this sending to qualified teachers who are desperate for work? The system is wrong and in dire need of restructuring if the best that can be offered is to sit patiently by your phone for a call that might never happen. It doesn’t pay the mortgage or stop the bills from coming through the letter box!!!”

Arthur

Arthur trained in England but has worked in supply with Renfrewshire Council since 2005.

He is now signing on because he has only had just 1 ½ days work in the last month at a Renfrewshire Primary.  He is signing on because he cannot find an evening and weekend only job that would leave him free for any supply work that becomes available. 

Again below is the testimony he sent me in August.

“As I am sure you are aware, there are large numbers of teachers currently out of work and stranded on the supply list of Renfrewshire Council. As one of those teachers I feel let down by both the Government and the Council.

I have worked with Renfrewshire Council since April 2005. Having gained my teaching qualification in England I was not entitled to a probationary year like everyone else. I was, however, fortunate to find long term supply until June 2007, within two schools. During the summer of 2007, after my supply ended, I decided to stick with the council, who had been so good to me, in the hopes of possibly being entitled to gain permanent supply status. Unfortunately that did not happen and ever since I have been in the situation that I am in now along with many others.

This current situation is not helping schools, is not helping the children and is certainly not doing anything to benefit the teachers. The Council have repeatedly told us that they are trying to spread the supply work out fairly, but they have a strange way of doing it. I have gone to schools for a day of supply work only to find out that the class needs more than one day cover, and that other supply teachers have been asked to cover those days. How does a lack of consistency benefit the class?

Teachers are being forced to apply for job seekers allowance. On average over the past two years I have only worked for about 60 days per year. I have recently applied for job seekers allowance again and been told by the claims advisor that there has been an increase in the number of teachers claiming benefits.

I understand that there are a high number of supply teachers currently “employed” by Renfrewshire Council, which leads to an important question. If the Council know there is limited availability of work then why do they continue to recruit more supply teachers and why do they accept high levels of probationary teachers, who will eventually become the next batch of out-of-work supply teachers? A number of us were told over the phone last year that Renfrewshire Council will no longer be accepting applications for supply.  Are the council providing supply work for the newly qualified teachers to provide the Government with better figures? Or could it be that the newly qualified teachers are on a lower salary?

The figures about the 2007/08 cohort of probationers in Renfrewshire show that just 4 teachers have been offered full time places out of 168 probationers. This makes me very angry.

I do not believe that being a supply teacher benefits teachers like me, I strongly believe I am not the teacher I could be. Ever since I stopped working full time I have noticed that my ability as a teacher has seemed to decline.  I have tried going back to reading teachers books and talking to other teachers, but what strategies can I implement in one or two days? I have come to realise that what I am doing may be a complete waste of time. How can the existing or new supply teachers expect to become better teachers without the opportunity to develop? The skills for working as a supply teacher surely come from being an experienced teacher. I read this extract in The Herald:

“Teachers starting out on their careers require support, guidance and suitably monitored experience in the classroom. I have seen a number of newly qualified teachers who are simply not ready for supply. Supply can be a truly demoralising job. When you are told, ‘It’s a tough class, but it’s only one day just stick it out.’ A busy school cannot possibly be expected to support an inexperienced supply teacher. This surely can’t be the future of Scotland’s education system. Just like children need consistency in their teaching and learning, so do the future of the teaching profession.   

I believe that I am a good teacher, but I want to be a better teacher. I need my Government and Council to help me. I need to be provided with support, guidance and the opportunity for continuous professional development.   

I know I’m not alone. We need your help.”

Sarah

Sarah is a local single parent with 2 kids who has been through enormous sacrifices to become a teacher – taking on large debts. After her probationary year finished in 2007 she had 2 years of irregular supply work. This session she has had just 5 days since August. She is working for the minimum wage in a private care home to try and make ends meet – and has to beg for a day off from the care home if a day’s supply work comes up.

Here is her August testimony:

“In 1999 I undertook a BSc Biology Hons degree, I worked hard for four years doing the full-time course. I took part-time work on weekends to bring in additional money into the household. I took out the maximum student loan of £25,000 this I thought would be an investment. In 2003 I then went on to work for Renfrewshire Council for two years as a classroom assistant to gain the necessary experience to gain a place on the Jordanhill PGDE (Primary) course. Finally, I had reached my goal of a career that I would be committed to.

My marriage had broken up so now I was alone parent with two children to provide for. I had no money, no income but survived with the help of good friends and family. I continually told myself that it was worth it as I soon would be a qualified teacher and would pay off my debts and then would be able to support myself and my family. My home was in the process of being repossessed and I felt lucky when Community Scotland, a charity, organised the sale of my home to a housing association. My children could remain in their home and I would pay the housing association rent. I completed my Post Graduate Diploma in Education in 2006 I was now nearer to my goal.

Unfortunately, since completing my probation year in 2007, I have found it increasingly difficult to secure teaching positions and find myself without teaching work. With the continuing number of newly qualified teachers joining the job market each year, the situation has been exacerbated.

I have applied for numerous jobs, I am not alone in this situation, with many of my peers out of work and choosing to leave the profession.

I know that in the last school that I was employed in that the three post-probationers who had a years contract were terminated along with myself in June.

I am currently working as a Homecarer for £5.75 per hour, two degrees and no immediate obvious change to my circumstances. As I had taken out maximum student loans to further my career opportunities and still owe the SAAS over £25,000. Having no secure income, being alone parent to two teenage children I struggle with bills. This year I had to declare myself bankrupt. This is had a dramatic effect on my health, and feel that I am a criminal for doing so. I went to renew my household insurance and was refused insurance by many companies for being bankrupt. I have never made a claim for household insurance in my life.

I am extremely disappointed that when I applied to teacher training they expressed that there would be a shortage of teachers and employment would not have been an issue. I have dedicated the last ten years of my life for a teaching career. Now I am unable to put what I have trained for into use.

I feel that there needs to be some intervention taken by the Scottish Government, to help ease this situation. I also express deep concern to the system the local council has to offering supply work; this does not seem to be a fair system. I discuss supply work availability with others and there is no consistency of information or a basic understanding of how supply work will be allocated. I think it is important that the extent of this problem is taken seriously. After dedicating the last ten years of my life to this profession I am at a loss to what to do next.

I am in the unfortunate position that I can not re-locate as have no means to do so and my children are also settled into High School.

I am grateful that I have a home, happy children and my health. Thank you for giving  me support and friendship during this difficult time.