SCOTTISH Borders Council is giving graduates an opportunity to get into teaching.

The local authority has teamed up with the University of Highlands and Islands (UHI), to allow Borderers to enter the profession at secondary level.

And the programme will be on offer for those who have degrees in either physics, business studies, mathematics, home economics or technology. Applicants must also have National 5 Mathematics (or equivalent, i.e. Intermediate 2, Standard Grade 2, O Grade) and Higher English.

Donna Manson, SBC’s service director children and young people, said: “This is an exciting and innovative way for anyone with a relevant degree and the ambition to become a secondary teacher to enter the teaching profession.

“This type of programme attracts a range of students from a wide range of backgrounds – you may be a recent graduate who now wants to become a teacher or perhaps a mature student deciding to pursue a career change.

"What is important is that you have the commitment and dedication to become a first class teaching professional of the calibre that the council and UHI are looking for.

"In return, you will be given the learning and support you need to make your dream into a reality, along with employment at a Borders school on successful completion of the course.”

The programme is full time for one year with students required to carry out online study and undertake four school placements for a total of nine weeks. SBC will provide online learning facilities and access to video conferencing.

The council will also organise the placements and provide a tutor while these are being undertaken.

Upon completion of the programme, students will be awarded a Diploma in Secondary Education and be guaranteed a year’s probationer teacher position in a Borders school. If this is completed successfully, they will be offered a permanent post.

The closing date for applications in Friday, April 28.

Mrs Manson added: “We appreciate that there is a short timescale for people to submit their applications for this year’s intake, but we only recently received confirmation that we could offer the programme here in the Borders.

"We are publicising it in the hope that there might be some interest, but would also welcome hearing from anyone who may want to be considered for next year’s intake.”

To give applicants the opportunity to find out more about the programme, a drop-in session is being held at Council Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells on Monday from 6-7pm.