Supporting Future Computing Science Teachers

Scotland currently has the lowest number of Computing Science teachers on record, and the number of new entrants into the profession is also the lowest among the STEM subjects.

To sustain and strengthen Computing Science education nationally, we need a healthy and sustainable teacher pipeline.

STACS is working with Computing Science teachers, universities and colleges to raise awareness of Computing Science teaching as a rewarding and impactful career. A potential barrier for prospective applicants is access to the school experience required for PGDE entry. Beyond meeting this requirement, a positive and authentic school experience can help individuals determine whether Computing Science teaching is the right career for them.

Through this initiative, we aim to improve access to meaningful school experience and contribute to a stronger, more sustainable Computing Science teacher workforce.

Below is a short briefing you can share with your Head Teacher or Senior Leadership Team ahead of school sign up.

Download School Briefing

Find out more

  • If you require approval from your Head Teacher or Senior Leadership Team before registering your school’s interest, you may wish to share the short briefing below.

    If there are any questions, please feel free to share our contact details: support@stacs.scot

  • We are inviting schools to support short, observational shadowing visits (1–2 days) for university or college students considering a career in Computing Science teaching.

    These visits are:

    • Observational only

    • Fully supervised

    • Flexible and arranged at dates that suit the school

    This is not a teaching placement.

  • Schools choosing to participate would:

    • Allow a prospective teacher to observe Computing Science lessons

    • Ensure the visitor remains supervised at all times

    • Provide informal professional insight into the role

    The visitor will not:

    • Teach lessons

    • Lead activities

    • Provide classroom support

    • Take responsibility for pupils

    • Be left unsupervised

    Schools retain full discretion over:

    • Whether to participate

    • Timing

    • Duration (1 or 2 days)

    • Structure of the visit

    Participation is entirely voluntary and should only take place where capacity allows.

  • These visits are designed to be short, observational and fully supervised.

    Based on guidance from Disclosure Scotland, short, fully supervised observational visits of this nature — where individuals are not teaching, instructing, or undertaking unsupervised activity — are unlikely to require PVG membership.

    Safeguarding procedures remain at the discretion of the host school or local authority.

    If a school determines that PVG membership is required, this should be arranged through the appropriate local authority or institutional processes. STACS does not arrange PVG checks directly.

    STACS facilitates introductions and is happy to provide guidance where helpful. Final arrangements and safeguarding responsibilities remain with the host school.

    Further information on regulated roles and PVG requirements is available via the Scottish Government guidance can be accessed here.

  • By offering even a single shadowing visit, your school can:

    • Support national recruitment in Computing Science

    • Help remove barriers for prospective PGDE applicants

    • Contribute to long-term subject sustainability

    • Strengthen the professional community

    Collectively, small contributions across schools can have a significant national impact.

  • Schools or individual teachers who may not have capacity to host a shadowing visit can still support the initiative in other ways.

    This may include:

    • Speaking to university or college students about teaching

    • Participating in career events

    • Supporting STACS outreach activities

    If you would be interested in hearing about these opportunities, please let us know.

If your school would be willing to support this initiative, please complete the short expression of interest form below.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. These visits are short (1–2 days) and observational only. They are not formal teaching placements and do not involve lesson delivery or assessment.

  • Visitors will observe Computing Science lessons and gain professional insight into the role. They may ask questions and engage in informal discussion but will not teach, lead activities or provide classroom support.

  • Visits typically last one or two days. Schools retain full discretion over timing and structure.

  • STACS facilitates introductions between prospective applicants and participating schools. All final arrangements, including dates and structure, are agreed directly between the school and the individual.

  • This initiative is best suited to schools with sufficient departmental capacity to host short observational visits. In schools where Computing Science is delivered by a single teacher, participation may be more challenging, and there is absolutely no expectation to take part.

  • Based on guidance from Disclosure Scotland, short, fully supervised observational visits of this nature are unlikely to require PVG membership. However, safeguarding procedures remain at the discretion of the host school or local authority.

    If a school determines that PVG membership is required, this should be arranged through the appropriate local authority or institutional processes, as STACS does not arrange PVG checks directly.

    Further information on regulated roles is available in the Scottish Government’s PVG scheme -Regulated roles guidance.

  • No. STACS facilitates introductions where possible, but placements depend on availability and location.

  • Schools or individual teachers who may not have capacity to host a shadowing visit can still support the initiative in other ways, such as:

    • Speaking to university or college students

    • Participating in career events

    • Supporting outreach activity

    If you would be interested in these opportunities, please let us know.