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The number of early career teachers leaving the profession in Scotland has risen to a new high, highlighting growing concerns about retention among those in their first five years in the classroom.

Data obtained through a freedom of information request by the Scottish Liberal Democrats shows that, in 2025, 408 teachers left the profession within five years of entering it - the highest figure recorded since the first set of comparable figures in 2018, when the figure was 183.

In total, 2,081 teachers left within five years of entering the profession between 2018 and 2025.

In Scotland, teachers complete a following their studies before becoming fully registered, meaning that those captured in the data are still in the earliest stages of their careers.

The new data reflects widespread concerns about the stretched teaching workforce, particularly as schools continue to face recruitment challenges. Retaining teachers beyond the first few years is widely seen as critical, with early-career attrition often linked to high workload and classroom behaviour issues.

Education leaders have repeatedly warned that retention remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the schools sector, with difficulties in keeping staff placing additional strain on colleagues and affecting pupils’ learning.

High turnover among newer teachers can also increase costs for schools and local authorities, which must continually recruit replacements and invest in their professional development.

There are also concerns about a “mismatch” in initial teacher education, with more primary teachers being taken into the profession than there are available roles, while there are shortages in a wide range of secondary subjects.

Jobs ‘mismatch’

Willie Rennie, the Scottish Lib Dems’ education spokesperson, said: “It costs a lot of money to train a teacher, so to see record numbers quitting almost immediately is bad news.”

He said that a “mismatch” between student numbers and available jobs, alongside wider pressures facing the profession, was contributing to the trend.

The Lib Dems today said it should be easier for teachers to move between the primary and secondary sectors. Education secretary Jenny Gilruth has previously said she wants to find “creative ways” to encourage more primary teachers to switch to secondary roles, as a way of alleviating staffing pressures.

The new data comes ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election on 7 May, with the Scottish Liberal Democrats outlining proposals aimed at making teaching a more attractive career.

These include boosting in-class support and improving job security through more stable contracts, as well as making it easier for teachers to teach additional subjects.

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