24-25/39

I refer to your request for information dated 11 September 2024 (FOI 24-25/39) in which you asked various queries regarding the students who obtained an “MA Primary Education Teaching Degree in Scotland in 2024” which we have handled under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOISA).  

Firstly, you asked how many students obtained the degree and, of them, how many received a “First Class Honours” Degree. As data extracted on 11 September, there were 264 provisionally registered teachers holding a Primary - MA Education degree on the GTC Scotland Register of Teachers currently under the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS). We do not hold records on how many received a First-Class Honours Degree and have therefore applied section 17(1)(b) to this query.

Secondly, you asked for the “allocation / deployment of these students into placements within schools” which we interpreted as the number of provisionally registered teachers holding the degree allocated under the Teacher Induction Scheme in the 2024/25 Registration Year. Please note that we are only able to reference those graduates currently participating in the TIS as some may have chosen to defer their placement. Conversely, the information provided may include a provisionally registered teacher who had previously deferred and chose to join the 2024/25 cohort of the TIS. I have included this information in Table 1 accompanying this response as the preference allocation of provisionally registered teachers holding an MA – Primary Education under the 2024/25 TIS.

You will see that I have not provided the exact low number as disclosing these could enable individuals to be identified. This would breach the data protection principles set out in data protection legislation. FOISA does not require us to provide this sort of information as it is exempt under section 38(1)(b).

Thirdly, you asked of “all the students who qualified in 2024, how many were allocated a placement” based on their preference choices. Please note that this information is already available through our website and I have therefore applied section 25(1) of FOISA to this query.

Finally, you wanted to “understand the criteria that is used in the allocation process” and specifically whether “research is carried out on individual students personal circumstances” such as home ownership, family, transportation, medical conditions, the nature of their degree and performance reports.

Please note that we do not hold a record based on the above factors as related to allocations under TIS and have applied section 17(1)(b) as this information is not held.

However, by way of advice and assistance, I can explain that allocation under the TIS occurs through a digital process whereby provisionally registered teachers are allocated primarily based on their preference selections. During the process of applying to be part of TIS, all Registrants can submit relevant information they want considered such as if they have a disability or caring responsibilities. This information is then reviewed and processed accordingly. In 2024/25, a total of 77.9% of provisionally registered teachers received their first preference as a placement.

If you are dissatisfied, you may contact informationgovernance@gtcs.org.uk to request GTC Scotland conduct a review of this response. You should describe the original request and explain your grounds of review. You have 40 working days from receipt of this response to submit a review request. When the review process has been completed, if you are still dissatisfied, you may use the Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance on making an appeal to make an appeal to the Commissioner.