A COURSE is being offered to aspiring teachers who want to begin their career at a Borders secondary school.

Scottish Borders Council is looking to hear from graduates to take part in a distance learning programme it runs with the University of Highlands and Islands.

Upon completion, candidates will undertake a year’s teacher probation at a school in the region and will be offered a permanent post if successful.

The scheme is open to those who have a degree in either physics, business studies, mathematics, home economics, technology or English. And applicants should have National 5 mathematics, or equivalent, and Higher English, however, there is a way these can be achieved.

The programme is full time for one year with students required to carry out online study and undertake four school placements, organised by SBC.

The council will also provide online learning facilities and access to video conferencing and will provide a tutor.

Councillor Carol Hamilton, executive member for 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, on successful completion of the course.”

For more information contact the council’s quality improvement officer for school leadership on 01835 825080.

The closing date for applications for the August 2019 academic year is January, 15.