Support offered to new teachers due to pandemic pressures

Hundreds of new teachers or those working in pastoral or child protection roles will be offered support to manage the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Education Scotland and the General Teaching Council for Scotland have partnered with social enterprise organisation Know You More, who will provide coaches for new online one-to-one sessions. 

Sessions are already being offered to headteachers as part of a support package funded by the Scottish Government.

The programme now includes support for more than 500 teachers in their first four years after probation to discuss any personal or professional pressures they are facing as a result of delivering remote learning.

Education Secretary John Swinney said: "COVID-19 has placed unprecedented strain on school staff and none more so than those who have pastoral care and child protection responsibilities ensuring the emotional welfare of our children and young people as we recover from the pandemic.

"The teacher support package I announced last year will complement the existing professional training and support already taking place for staff in schools across Scotland. 

"Teachers need to be part of a supportive online community and have the space to stop and think about issues that are causing concern."

Gayle Gorman, Education Scotland chief executive, added: "We have found that it really benefits teachers to know there is someone with a listening ear who are there for them. 

"Our one-to-one coaching and mentoring sessions for headteachers have proved a really popular way of supporting their wellbeing and now the offer is also open to post probation teachers, teachers new to role and those with pastoral responsibilities."