Seven-council teacher shortage summit held

Seven Scottish councils are meeting to discuss how to address unprecedented low numbers of teachers in the north of Scotland.

Faced with low recruitment and retainment rates, councils have been offering incentives to try and attract teachers to their areas.

Education Secretary Angela Constance is due to speak at the event, which is led by Aberdeen City Council and will be attended by directors of education and the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland, Western Isles, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands councils are all backing the summit.

Aberdeen City Council Leader Jenny Laing said: "Many councils in the north and north-east of Scotland are experiencing higher than normal levels of teacher shortages – particularly at senior management levels.

"Whilst not yet at crisis levels it is nevertheless a serious issue that we want to tackle now to protect the interests of pupils.

"We urge the Scottish Government to work with us on finding a solution at a national level. This is a case where one-size does not fit all councils."