Probation allocations
Introduction
As part of the student application form, probationers eligible for the Teacher Induction Scheme will either select five preferred local authorities, or tick the preference waiver payment box.
There are 32 local authorities in Scotland.
Think carefully about your location and circumstances when selecting your five preferences. Consider practicalities like transport links and commuting times. Could this be an opportunity to relocate and work in a new area?
You will select five local authorities in order of preference.
You could be given your fifth choice, so make sure that all the local authorities you choose will work for your circumstances. The local authority you are allocated will endeavour to take into account where you live when allocating you to a school. Local authorities’ prime responsibility is, however, to deliver education to children and young people throughout their area, and they will first and foremost ensure that the needs of their learners are met.
GTC Scotland will tell you the local authority to which you have been allocated by June. The local authority will allocate you to a school. You should speak to the local authority if you have any questions about school allocation.
What if I am unable to work in the local authority I have been allocated – will I be reallocated?
Once you are allocated to a Local Authority and the Local Authority is informed, your allocation is fixed.
Allocating a student to a Local Authority for their probation year is a complex and lengthy procedure involving:
- around 3,500 students with individual preference choices
- 30+ subjects/sectors
- 32 local authorities
Please talk to us before you make the decision to turn down a placement.
If you tell the local authority you will not be taking up your placement, you will opt out of the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS). You cannot be placed back on TIS once you have opted out.
If you have concerns about your allocation, you should talk to the local authority to discuss how the placement could work. It might help to be placed in an alternative school in the local authority.
If, after this discussion, you are still unable to work in the Local Authority, you can request to be considered for a rematch. You must do so in the period immediately following the receipt of your allocation. Please note the success rate of rematch requests is very low at between 1 and 3%.
We will only be able to offer a rematch if an equivalent placement is available in another local authority. These placements are created by another student teacher asking for a rematch. It is not possible to informally ’swap’ placement with another student teacher. You both need to put yourself forward for a rematch.
The outcome of the rematch process is final and ends the allocation process.
Please note that a rematch can only go ahead if the local authority you are allocated to is willing to release you from your allocation.
A teacher not wishing to accept their place on TIS can complete their probation via the Flexible Route.
TIS allocation data
The following information relates to Teacher Induction Scheme allocations for academic year 2024/25. The figures below represent the information shared with Local Authorities immediately following allocation in May 2024.
Overall
A total of 2724 students were allocated to a Local Authority placement for 2024/25. Of these individuals, 1603 were allocated to a Primary school placement and 1121 to a Secondary school placement.
Preferences
A total of 2569 individuals made 1-5 placement preference choices. This is 94.3% of the total cohort.
1539 individuals seeking Primary registration made 1-5 placement preference choices. This is 96.0% of the total Primary cohort.
1030 individuals seeking Secondary registration made 1-5 placement preference choices. This is 91.9% of the total Secondary cohort.
Preference distribution
A total of 2001 individuals (77.9%) who made placement preference choices were placed in their first preference. Please see the breakdown below of Primary/Secondary:
- Primary - 1231 (80.0%)
- Secondary - 770 (74.8%)
A total of 284 individuals (11.0%) who made placement preference choices were placed in their second preference. Please see the breakdown below of Primary/Secondary:
- Primary: 142 (9.2%)
- Secondary: 142 (13.8%)
A total of 159 individuals (6.2%) who made placement preference choices were placed in their third preference. Please see the breakdown below of Primary/Secondary:
- Primary - 89 (5.8%)
- Secondary - 70 (6.8%)
A total of 75 individuals (2.9%) who made placement preference choices were placed in their fourth preference. Please see the breakdown below of Primary/Secondary:
- Primary - 46 (3.0%)
- Secondary - 29 (2.8%)
A total of 50 individuals (1.9%) who made placement preference choices were placed in their fifth preference. Please see the breakdown below of Primary/Secondary.
- Primary - 31 (2.0%)
- Secondary - 19 (1.8%)