The General Teaching Council there has refused two applications for full registration from two teachers who trained “on-the-job” in English schools via the Graduate Teacher Programme. It says neither met its requirements in the areas of professional studies and pedagogy, and subject knowledge.

The implication is that none of the 3,500 people who have so far qualified via the programme would be able to work north of the border. Another 1,290 started training in schools this autumn.

It also raises questions about the quality of the programme; an inspection report in the new year is expected to raise concerns about the variability of provision.

The scheme, which has expanded rapidly from only 89 places in 199798, is a favourite of ministers. It is seen as a key recruitment path for career-changers and those who cannot afford to follow traditional training routes, as it pays a salary of up to pound;13,000.

A Department for Education and Skills spokeswoman said: “People who qualify through the GTP have to meet exactly the same high standards as those who enter teaching through more traditional routes.”

The Teacher Training Agency, which runs the programme, said strong demand for places demonstrated heads’ confidence in it.

Heads’ main complaint about the GTP is that they cannot get enough people on to it.

However, heads’ leaders expressed concern at the Scottish decision. David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said:

“If the programme isn’t meeting Scottish requirements, we ought to be asking serious questions down here about whether it’s meeting the standards we expect in England and Wales.”

Alan Meyrick, General Teaching Council England’s registrar, said it was in discussions with its Scottish counterpart about how to resolve the situation.