The Scottish Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS) began in August 2002 (Scottish Executive Education Department, 2001). It guarantees a one-year teaching post with reduced class contact time and a mentor (GTCS, 2022). For those wishing to work part-time there is the Flexible Route to Registration but it does not provide paid time out of the classroom nor a mentor. There are national requirements to meet the Standard for Full Registration overseen by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS, 2021). In several respects, implementation of the TIS is left to the 32 local authorities that oversee state education in Scotland and the individual schools where the Induction Year teachers are placed. As well as the two routes to qualify as a teacher (Teacher Induction Scheme or Flexible Route to Registration), this means there are 32 variations in how people are supported, and then at school and mentor level there is further differentiation (Shanks, 2020). It should be noted that there are no qualifications, courses or length of service required to become a mentor of Induction Year teachers. Some mentors do choose to study relevant higher education courses but there is no requirement to do so. Over the 20-year lifespan of the TIS there have been modifications, specifically an increase by 10% in class contact time and a change to how host schools are financially supported. Originally, schools were directly compensated for up to 10% of the mentor’s salary for the time to observe, meet, support and assess the Induction Year Teacher but due to austerity and restructuring of local government finances, this direct reimbursement was largely discontinued. While the Donaldson Report (2011) made several recommendations in relation to teacher induction there has been no wholescale review of the scheme since its inception. This presentation draws on research exploring the TIS from the perspective of the Induction Year teacher. Findings indicate that school-based mentoring is central to a successful induction year experience, and that issues arise when schools are ill-prepared to host Induction Year teachers. The Teacher Induction Scheme can be understood as a niche which was created, and to begin with, was well-funded. While it has not withered on the vine, it has not exactly flourished. More rigour in the allocation of Induction Year Teachers to schools and mentors, greater support for those on the Flexible Route to Registration and appropriate mandatory mentor education would all help to invigorate this niche.

Donaldson, G. (2011). Teaching Scotland’s Future. Report of a review into teacher education in Scotland. DPPAS10888 (01/11). Edinburgh: Scottish Government. GTCS (2021). The Standard for Full Registration. Mandatory Requirements for Registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland. Edinburgh: General Teaching Council for Scotland. GTCS (undated). In2Teaching. Support and guidance for student, probationer and early phase teachers. Edinburgh: General Teaching Council for Scotland. Available from: http://www.in2teaching.org.uk/default.aspx Scottish Executive Education Department (2001). A teaching profession for the 21st century: Agreement reached following the McCrone Report. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive Education Department. Shanks, R. (2020). Teacher Induction. In Shanks, R. (ed.) Teacher Preparation in Scotland, Bingley: Emerald, pp. 151-164.