Parliament Workbench
Data: Motions & questions to 19 Nov 2026

Written Question · S6W-21822 · Session 6

What long-term planning it is carrying out with local authorities on the stability and sufficiency of the teaching workforce.

Answered Asked by Pam Duncan-Glancy Lab Lodged 26 Sep 2023

The question

To ask the Scottish Government what long-term planning it is carrying out with local authorities on the stability and sufficiency of the teaching workforce.

The answer

Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 20 Oct 2023 · 24 days after it was lodged, on time

The Teacher Workforce Planning Advisory Group (TWPAG) considerations are based on an annual statistical model which estimates the number of ITE students required to achieve particular pupil teacher ratios. TWPAG includes representatives from local authority employers, as well as university providers of ITE, teacher unions and the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
TWPAG’s considerations are based on annual statistical model which estimates the number of ITE students required to maintain pupil teacher ratios. This model is based on a number of inputs including projections about the number of pupils in the system, churn in teacher numbers (for example recruitment, maternity leave, retirements, returners,) and the retention rates of ITE students.
To ensure effective and evidence-informed longer-term teacher workforce planning, the Scottish Government has commissioned an external analysis and research exercise that will bring together a range of factors including current teacher numbers, pupil teacher ratios and the projected decline in the number of school-aged children. This analysis will inform decisions on education workforce planning for future years.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-21822 by reference.