Border Crossing – Teacher Supply and Retention in England and Scotland

It appears that there is increasing divergence in several aspects of education policy in England and Scotland. In particular the approach to the teaching workforce has been characterised by quite different priorities. The recently announced pay award in Scotland has even led to suggestions of the possibility of a significant northwards migration of teachers, at a time when there is increasing concern about teacher supply in England and, for the first time, some concern about supply in Scotland. This paper presents a comparative analysis of recent and current policy initiatives on either side of the border as they relate to questions of teacher supply and retention. This will include a comparison of the policy contexts and institutional structures which bear on these matters, as well as the policies on initial teacher education, teachers’ pay and conditions and teachers’ career development.