Student Teachers
Scottish Borders Council is committed to supporting student teachers. We can accommodate students from all of the Scottish universities and, with agreement, students from south of the Border depending on subject and location. Student placements are currently administered through the Student Placement System (SPS). All schools are required to offer student placements in all classes, unless they have a probationer or there are extenuating circumstances.
The GTCS Standard for Provisional Registration (SPR) specifies what is expected of a student teacher seeking provisional registration with GTCS at the end of Initial Teacher Education. Having attained the SPR, all provisionally registered teachers continue their professional learning journey by moving towards the attainment of the Standard for Full Registration (SFR).
General Teaching Council Scotland provides support and guidance for student, probationer and early phase teachers.
Borders Initial Teacher Education
Since 2017/18 we have been working in partnership with the University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) to provide an opportunity for local people to train to be a teacher in the Borders. Individuals educated to degree level can apply through UCAS to work towards a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education in Secondary (PGDE). Students will undertake 3 placements in Scottish Borders schools throughout the year and are supported by a local tutor as well as in school support. The subjects available are Biology, Business Education, Chemistry and Science, Computing Science, English, Home Economics, Mathematics, Physics and Science and Technological Education. Upon completion of the programme, students will be guaranteed a year’s probationer teacher position in a Borders school.
The Primary PGDE in partnership with University of Highlands and Islands provides the opportunity for local people to train to be a teacher in the Borders. Individuals educated to degree level can apply through UCAS to work towards a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education in Primary (PGDE). Students will undertake 3 placements in Scottish Borders schools throughout the year and are supported by a local tutor as well as in school support. Upon completion of the programme, students will be guaranteed a year’s probationer teacher position in a Borders school.
