Q: I am a primary teacher and my specialism is in music. I want to become an advanced skills teacher so I can stay classroom based but earn more money.
What are my chances?
A: You are unlikely to see many such posts advertised nationally. Indeed, AST posts in the primary sector seem to have virtually disappeared from the national job scene since the Staffing Review was undertaken last term. The grade has never really caught on across the country during the nearly 10 years since it was first introduced as an alternative to the management route for teachers like you.
Later this year, we will see if the next new idea, the Excellent Teacher grade, fares any better, but don’t hold out your hopes.
