New teachers in Scotland tell of fears heading into post-lockdown education

New teachers in Scotland have voiced concern about going back to school during the pandemic.

Pupils during a lesson. Stock image. Picture:: Barry Batchelor/PA Wire

Newly qualified teachers have spoken of their fears heading into new teaching roles amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

New teachers, many of whom have had their probationary year cut short, have expressed concern at having missed key practical experience but feel the Scottish curriculum is best-placed to cope with the drastic changes that may come in response to the crisis.

On Monday a Unison poll of more than 5,000 education staff in Scotland found that 83% are worried about going back to work or increasing the number of children returning to classrooms.

Laura is entering a full-time role teaching role after the summer. She said: “I’m so glad I did my probationary year this year because I would be absolutely terrified going into a school for the first time just now.

“It is such a huge learning curve anyway but at least I have an idea of what a ‘normal’ year should look like. It’s a bit of a relief for me that I have something to compare it to and aim towards.

“I had four observed lessons left and several meetings with my adviser. I feel okay about it just because it was the right point in the year where I had a handle on things but it was the last push in developing my confidence.”

The Scottish Government has suggested pupils could receive ‘blended learning’ constituting a mix of home and school learning which Laura thinks presents an opportunity to step away from out-dated ways of teaching and embrace things like outdoor learning.

Laura said: “Scotland is quite well placed and the curriculum is well built for some of the changes we’ll see.

“The Scottish curriculum always pushes for outdoor play, for kids to be more independent and to follow their own interests as health and wellbeing is one of its core values.

“It’s strange that England is putting reception back as evidence shows that kids shouldn’t be sat at a desk until around seven. It’s bizarre to get five year olds behind desk, it’s the worst kind of learning.”

The Unison survey also found that just 3% of teachers consider it safe to return to work.

Kirsty is taking up a permanent teaching position in August and is concerned about the impact of safety measures on children’s mental health.

Kirsty said: “I do worry about how we’re going to reintegrate kids back into classrooms and how they’re going to cope. We’re building social skills and teaching through lots of collaborative play and active learning. That will all have to be cut right back to allow for social distancing.

“Younger children are very tactile so my kids would get a greeting in the morning and at lunchtime where they could choose a cuddle or a high five. In the last week I took it upon myself to change it to an elbow tap instead.

“I can’t see it working with P1s. The concept of being two metres away will be such a big change for them.”

Last week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said schools are likely to reopen on 11 August - meaning many will return a week earlier than planned after the summer holiday.

Teachers will return to schools in June, with transition support being given, where possible, to children going into Primary 1 or moving from primary to secondary schools.