Primary school teacher statistics: FOI release

Information requested

1. How many permanent primary school teachers positions are there in Scottish schools at June 2025?

2. How many qualified primary teachers are currently on supply waiting lists in Scotland?

3. What is the total number of qualified primary teachers on supply waiting lists likely to be at the start of the 2025/26 school season, i.e. after this year’s probationary year is completed in June 2025?

4. How many vacancies for permanent primary teachers are likely to be available at the start of the 2025/26 session, i.e. in August 2025?

5. What is the average time a qualified primary teacher remains on the supply list without being offered any placement in a school?

6. How many students are currently studying to become primary teachers, i.e.in years 1-4 at university or college?

7. While waiting on a supply list for a placement is a qualified teacher allowed to take alternative employment?

8. While waiting on a supply list can a qualified teacher claim any financial support or benefits (in other words while not employed as a teacher and if unable to earn a living by taking alternative work)?

Response

1. How many permanent primary school teachers positions are there in Scottish schools at June 2025?

We don’t hold any information on the number of permanent teacher positions but statistics on the number of primary school teachers and the proportion in permanent posts are shown in Figures 5 and 13 of Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland.

2. How many qualified primary teachers are currently on supply waiting lists in Scotland?

Information on supply lists is not held by the Scottish Government. Supply list are operated by Local Authorities.

3. What is the total number of qualified primary teachers on supply waiting lists likely to be at the start of the 2025/26 school season, i.e. after this year’s probationary year is completed in June 2025?

Information on supply lists is not held by the Scottish Government. Supply list are operated by Local Authorities.

4. How many vacancies for permanent primary teachers are likely to be available at the start of the 2025/26 session, i.e. in August 2025?

Information on vacancies for permanent primary teachers is not held by the Scottish Government.

5. What is the average time a qualified primary teacher remains on the supply list without being offered any placement in a school?

Information on supply lists is not held by the Scottish Government. Supply list are operated by Local Authorities.

6. How many students are currently studying to become primary teachers, i.e.in years 1-4 at university or college?

The latest information held by the Scottish Government is that as at September 2024 there were 2,759 students enrolled in primary undergraduate and combined degrees and 1,051 enrolled in  the Postgraduate Diploma in Education.

7. While waiting on a supply list for a placement is a qualified teacher allowed to take alternative employment?

Information on the operation of supply lists is not held by the Scottish Government as these are managed by local authorities.

Generally, supply lists operate as registers of those that may be interested in teaching work however there is no obligation for the employer to offer work or for the teacher to accept and the employment contract only begins once a teacher has taken up the supply work that is offered.

8. While waiting on a supply list can a qualified teacher claim any financial support or benefits (in other words while not employed as a teacher and if unable to earn a living by taking alternative work)?

Information on the operation of supply lists is not held by the Scottish Government as these are managed by local authorities.

Generally, supply lists operate as registers of those that may be interested in teaching work however there is no obligation for the employer to offer work or for the teacher to accept and the employment contract only begins once a teacher has taken up the supply work that is offered. Eligibility for benefits would depend on the usual criteria, for more information see https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/looking-for-work

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.