Over 1 in 5 Primary teachers in North East Edinburgh aren't permanent

Approximately 21% of Primary School Teachers in North East Edinburgh (the 'Locality Area' that includes Leith Walk ward) are on fixed-term contracts in new figures obtained by Councillor Jack Caldwell.

This is well below the Edinburgh-wide average of all teachers of 13%.

Permanent contracts are essential to ensuring that teachers feel secure and have long-term prospects at the school they teach. Fixed term contracts are also not ideal for pupils, who should also have stability where possible.

Leith Walk Lib Dem Councillor Jack Caldwell said "Our young people and teachers alike deserve better job security, given the tough job they've been carrying out so well in the last few years. I'm glad that Liberal Democrats on the Education committee will continue scrutinising this and chase solutions to this inequity."

Following these figures, Cllr Caldwell asked the Education Convenor what additional money had been recieved from the Scottish government since April 2022 for the recruitment of permanent teacher posts, to which she answered:

"City of Edinburgh Council receives funding of £10,658,000 which the Scottish Government aligns to a requirement to maintain Teacher numbers

This funding has been used to recruit teaching and support staff to allow the establishment of wellbeing Hubs in all secondary schools, establish Transition Teachers in every learning community, provide additional Pupil Support Assistants in primary schools and provide for Communities of Practice funding to support curriculum development and learning for sustainability in every school"

In response to a question about engagement with teachers, schools, and trade unions, the Education Convenor replied:

"The City of Edinburgh Council aims to maximise the highest number of permanent contracts we can. Fixed term contracts arise due to maternity/paternity Leaves, Employment breaks, Secondments and other absences. We are also required to hold back our allocated number of probationer posts annually for newly qualified teachers. Headteachers and their Business Managers complete an annual staffing exercise to review their current staffing and identify any available vacancies for the following August. This is supported by the Education Operations Team. The number of vacancies can be dictated by the number of pupils in a year group in primary, and the subject choices of young people in the senior phase.

Liaison is undertaken via ADES to feedback to the Scottish Government. Members of the Trade Unions are on the Staffing Board. We are also liaising with the CEC Lead HR Consultant for Workforce Planning and Information, in the work he is undertaking."