SCOTTISH Borders Council is looking to hear from graduates currently living in the Borders who would be interested in gaining a qualification that would allow them to gain GTCS registration as a primary or secondary teacher.

The opportunity is being provided through a partnership agreement with the University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) who offer a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) primary or secondary programme for graduates with a degree.

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Alongside opportunities to train to teach in our primary sector, the secondary courses offered are Biology with Science, Business Education, Chemistry with Science, Computing Science, English, Home Economics, Mathematics, Physics with Science and Technological Education.

We are particularly interested in recruiting to English, Mathematics, Computing, Physics and Technological Education this year.

An Honours degree at 2:2 or above is preferred as the programme sits at Honours and Masters levels. Applicants must also hold National 5 Mathematics and Higher English (or accepted equivalents).

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For secondary, there are specific entry guidelines for individual subjects.

The programme is full time for one year with students required to carry out online, collaborative and individual study, combined with school placements. School placements will be within the Scottish Borders and students will have access to local and UHI tutor support.

Upon completion of the programme, students will gain GTCS registration and will be offered a year’s probationary teacher position in a Scottish Borders school. They will then be entitled to apply for posts within the Local Authority.

The closing date for applications for the August 2024 academic year is 31 January 2024.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more is invited to take part in one of our information evenings:

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Tuesday 5 December 2023: 5-6pm at Inspire Learning, Tweedbank

Thursday 7 December 2023: 6-7pm - Online

To find out more and for details on how to access the online session, email: CLPL@scotborders.gov.uk or phone 01896 664161.

Councillor Leagh Douglas, Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “For a number of years now we have successfully offered the primary and secondary programme to graduates looking to become a teacher.

“Students who have already completed the course are extremely positive about its benefits, particularly the way it has allowed them to study and work within their own local area, and of course go on to apply for full time positions within one of our many schools.

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“It really is an exciting and innovative way for anyone with a relevant degree and the ambition to become a teacher to enter the profession. I would encourage anyone who wants to be part of our forward-thinking education team to get in touch to find out more. The first step is to come along to one of our sessions which take place early next month, where they will be able to speak to not only members of our schools team but also students who have already taken part in and benefitted from the programme.”

Information on the programme is also available on the UHI website: www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses or from the Council’s Quality Improvement Officer on 01896 664161.