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With a population of 146 000, Dumfries and Galloway is to be found nestled in the south western corner of Scotland. Set, for the most part, in 2380 squares miles of spectacular scenery; the region has over 200 miles of beautiful coastline and beaches. With its hills and valleys, forests and lochs, local history and artistic creativity, it is a haven for those who wish a quality of life. So much so that it was recently voted the best place to live in Scotland.

Regular transport links enable this region to be a central location from which to travel to the four major cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and Carlisle. This makes for easy accessibility, good shopping and entertainment opportunities. Ferries which sail from Stranraer and link the region to Northern Ireland mark the start of the busy, commercial Euro-Route.

In addition, our own towns have much to offer. Many can still boast individual, small retailers all with a character of their own and from whom can be purchased the natural bounty of the area's fields and coastal waters. Seafood, Galloway beef and lamb as well as delicacies such as cheeses and ice creams are all produced locally.

A largely rural area of villages and busy market towns, the air is clean with very little industry to pollute it. In fact, one of the region’s main sources of income is tourism. Another is agriculture. Leisure activities abound for both the young and not quite so young. Tourist routes and heritage trails can be walked, cycled or driven. Sport of all kinds can be enjoyed and, for those quieter moments, what better than to stroll among some of the region’s public gardens and forests.

Arts, Culture and Creativity in Dumfries and Galloway.
The arts and culture in Dumfries and Galloway are contributing greatly to the quality of life mentioned above.
A recent audience development study in Dumfries and Galloway suggests there are more artists per capita living in the region than in any other in Scotland. Artists of international reputation such as Andy Goldsworthy, Charles Jenks, Liz Niven and Des Dillon to name a few, have made Dumfries and Galloway their home.
The Council Arts Team and Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association work with voluntary and professional organisations to produce an annual calendar bursting with possibilities to participate and experience the highest quality opportunities to be found in Scotland.
The Arts Education Team within Education and Community Services aims to identify ways of maximising the contribution that the arts, culture and heritage make to the learning experiences for children, young people, teachers and parents in the authority. Through partnership working with teachers, parents, museums, heritage sites, artists and arts organisations experiences will be created with, for and by, children and young people.
All in all, the opportunity to engage in the highest quality arts practice is here on the doorstep, for all ages and levels of interest.

Education and Community Services Department.
So – we can offer you a quality of life that you will not get in every region of Scotland. What can we do for you with regard to your working environment and how will we support you to ensure that you feel part of our education community?

The Education Service is a section of a wider department known as Education and Community Services. At its head is Fraser Sanderson as overall Director with Christine Dignan as Group Manager (Schools Services). There are 126 schools -110 of these are primaries with the remaining 16 as secondaries. For all that it is widespread, Dumfries and Galloway is a reasonably small Local Authority with the result that those who work within it feel very much part of a team. Some of the key contacts whom you may find useful are noted below.

     • Keith Millar, Education Officer (Staffing).
       01387 260418. keithmi@dumgal.gov.uk
    • Elspeth Penny, Staff Tutor (Recruitment and Induction).
       01387 720774. ElspethP@dumgal.gov.uk

The Forward Thinking Service.
As an Education Service, we pride ourselves in that we are moving forward, constantly, in an effort to provide the very best education we can for the pupils within our schools. To accomplish this, we are involved in a number of initiatives at both primary and secondary school level. Should you come to work here, you will have the satisfaction of contributing towards some of these.

Becoming a teacher in Scotland
Registration with the General Teaching Council (GTC) for Scotland is a requirement for teaching in all local authority nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in Scotland. Registration is a mark of professional recognition as a teacher and ensures that standards of entry to the profession are maintained. Depending on your teaching qualification, you should be eligible to teach in the Primary or Secondary sector. More information about registration and eligibility is available on the GTC website: www.gtcs.org.uk. and also on www.teachinginscotland.com.

Staff Tutor (Recruitment and Induction)
There is a designated person in post, part of whose remit involves the recruitment and induction of new staff to the Education Service. This includes the organisation of some of the continuing professional development programmes available as well as the production of information/support materials. The Staff Tutor acts also as first port of call for any member of staff with a professional or welfare issue. Should you wish to get in touch with Elspeth Penny, her telephone number and e-mail address are listed above. She would be only too willing to assist you.

Continuing Professional Development (C.P.D.)
Probationers and new, fully registered teachers.
With regard to the Induction Year for newly qualified teachers, Dumfries and Galloway is recognised nationally for the high quality of the support available to probationer teachers. In fact, some of the support materials produced by us, for those choosing Dumfries and Galloway for their probationary period, are incorporated into the resources on offer in some other Local Authorities throughout the United Kingdom. Why have we gained this reputation? Here are some of the reasons.
We offer:

• a comprehensive programme of Continuing Professional Development Activity days available to all probationers trained in the U.K.
• a series of ten, additional twilight courses open to all probationers.
• Continuing support for the first 5 years as fully registered teachers, which could assist with preparation for the Chartered Teacher programme. Activities Include a range of twilight courses designed to promote CPD requirements. You are not forgotten as soon as your probationary period is over!

All of the above, and more, make Dumfries and Galloway a first choice as an education service in which to carry out your probationary period. We will look forward to helping you to achieve Full Registration with the General Teaching Council Scotland.

C.P.D. for all members of staff.
Continuing professional development for all staff is high on the Education Service agenda. As a Service we are determined to do our best to ensure that staff feel valued, supported and have the opportunity to develop their skills. One way in which to aid this process is to offer continual professional development (C.P.D.) opportunities which will meet staffs requested needs, be they working within a school or outwith. There is an extensive C.P.D. programme on offer which includes ‘dip in’ twilight courses and In-Service days for school staffs. For those of you eager to seek job enhancement/advancement, there are ample opportunities available. We offer such programmes as the Chartered Teacher Module 1 and Scottish Qualification for Headship. However, all Education Service staff are involved in the C.P.D. process. Being planned at the moment are ‘Managing for Success’ and ‘Supporting our Leaders’ programmes for middle and senior managers.
Should you come to work here, you will find that we do our best to promote a culture of lifelong learning through the creation of a C.P.D. framework which will support an Education Service for the 21st Century.

Why Come To Dumfries And Galloway?
Hopefully what you have read will have persuaded you that there are many good reasons why you should seriously consider Dumfries and Galloway as a place to live and work – outstanding scenery, a high quality of life no matter what your age and, most of all, an Education Service with a commitment to the education of all. A Service which cares about, and values, its staff and does its best to ensure that all feel supported and have the opportunity, continually, to extend themselves professionally. We look forward to working with you as part of our team.

Further Information
For further information on Dumfries and Galloway, visit www.dumgal.gov.uk.
A full list of current teaching vacancies is also available on: www.dumgal.gov.uk/dumgal/Jobs_View.aspx and click on ‘view job vacancies'.