A lack of career progression, excessive workload, and poor pupil behaviour have been identified as issues affecting the retention of physics teachers in Scotland. Also highlighted are inflexible working conditions and the negative effects of school leadership under accountability pressures. Addressing these non-teaching issues is essential for education professionals aiming to improve teacher retention and ensure a stable and motivated teaching workforce. This study is crucial as it provides insights that can drive policy changes and interventions to support teachers better.

References & Further Reading
Braun, V. and Clarke, V. (2006) Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.

Hulme, M., Beauchamp, G., Wood, J. and Bignell, C. (2024) Teacher Workload Research: Executive Summary 2024. School of Education and Social Sciences, University of the West of Scotland. www.eis.org.uk/Content/images/Campaigns/QualityEducation/SummaryWorkloadReport.pdf

McEnaney, J. (2024) Permanent job prospects for new teachers in sharp decline. The Herald, 10 November. www.heraldscotland.com/news/24704524.permanent-job-prospects-new-teachers-sharp-decline

Scottish Executive (2001) A teaching profession for the 21st century: agreement reached following recommendations made in the McCrone Report. www.eis.org.uk/Content/images/pay/McCrone%20agreement.pdf

Scottish Government (2016) New routes into teaching. www.gov.scot/news/new-routes-into-teaching
Scottish Government (2018a) Scottish Government Urban Rural Classification 2016. www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/About/Methodology/UrbanRuralClassification
Scottish Government (2018b) Two additional universities to offer teacher education. www.gov.scot/news/two-additional-universities-to-offer-teacher-education
Scottish Government (2022) Scottish Government Urban Rural Classification 2020. www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-urban-rural-classification-2020
Scottish Government (2023) Summary statistics for schools in Scotland 2023 bulletin. www.gov.scot/publications/summary-statistics-for-schools-in-scotland-2023/documents
Scottish Government (2024) Teaching Bursary in Scotland. https://teachingbursaryinscotland.co.uk

Whalley, M. (2024) Why did they leave? Exploring the reasons why former physics teachers left teaching. SSR in Depth, 106(392), 22–28.