The number of new teachers in Scotland dropping out after less than a year in the job has doubled in just four years.

In total, almost 300 probationers have left the profession since the 2014-15 school year.

The new figures also reveal that, while the number of primary probationers dropping out is higher, the rate among secondary probationers has risen more steeply.  

Last school year, a total of 34 secondary probationers left teaching before the summer holidays, almost three times more than the 12 who quit in 2014-15.

In primary, a total of 71 probationers left the profession last year, compared with 39 in 2014-15.

Since 2014-15, a total of 296 primary and secondary probationer teachers left the profession.

Dire teacher shortages

The figures - which were uncovered by Scottish Labour via a freedom of information request - will come as a blow to the Scottish government, which has introduced a fast-track route into the profession and expanded the places available on teacher education courses in a bid to tackle the dire teacher shortages many schools are experiencing.

The statistics also come in the wake of Scotland’s largest teaching union announcing a ballot of its members, urging them to reject the government’s latest offer for a pay deal.

Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said the figures exposed the workforce crisis that the SNP has created, with teachers overworked and underpaid.

He added: “Hundreds of new teachers have quit the profession since Nicola Sturgeon claimed education is the top priority.

 “Under the Nationalists, Scotland’s teachers work some of the longest hours in the world for some of the lowest pay. Any government that claims to value education must value our teachers.

“That’s why Labour wants to see a fair deal for our teachers, allowing them the time that they need to teach, making sure they are paid what they are worth and making the profession attractive again so more people go into teaching and then stay there.”

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: “We recognise that some probation teachers may choose to leave for a number of reasons but the fact is that 88 per cent secured permanent or temporary contracts as teachers last year - a record number.

“This, coupled with the 543 rise in teachers numbers this year, shows our policies are making teaching an attractive career choice.

“Headteachers play a critical role as leading figures both within their school and the wider community it serves. We recognise that the role can be very challenging, but also hugely rewarding, and want to encourage more teachers to consider headship.”