Scottish teacher numbers increase

The numbers of teachers in Scotland has increased by 506 following the government’s investment in schools through the Attainment Scotland Fund, statistics show.

According to the figures, the money provided to headteachers to spend on closing the attainment gap, funded over 500 additional teachers in 2017, on top of the 160 funded through the same fund in 2016.

Overall, the total number of teachers in Scotland has risen by 543 in comparison to last year.

The figures come as part of data published by the Scottish Government, which shows a record proportion of probationer teachers going straight into jobs in Scottish schools.

Welcoming the figures, deputy first minister, John Swinney, said: ““Education is this government’s number one priority and we are investing heavily to ensure every child in Scotland has an equal chance to realise their full potential.

“This investment is improving education: we have more teachers in Scottish classrooms, better quality school buildings and the vast majority of children in S3 achieving the minimum attainment level expected of them or better.

“And, we can now see that our decision to give headteachers more money and more power to decide for themselves how to close the attainment gap is paying off. Hundreds of additional teachers are now in Scottish classrooms, benefiting pupils the length and breadth of Scotland, as a result of that decision. That’s good news for teachers, parents and pupils.