Free accommodation to attract new teachers to Moray schools

Free accommodation for six months is being offered to teachers who move to schools in Moray.

The local council has struggled to fill a number of vacant posts despite repeated advertising.

It has now teamed up with a local developer to provide 10 new two-bedroom properties for new recruits.

Project managers hope the rent-free offer will attract teachers from outwith the area.

Laurence Finlay, director of education and social work at Moray Council, said jobs in both primary and secondary schools need to be filled.

He said: "There are a number of posts that we have been unable to fill - some posts in the sciences, in modern languages and home economics. A number of primary posts as well.

"There has been a reluctance in some areas from younger teachers and qualified teachers who have perhaps trained in the central belt to move up north to a more rural area."

Moray councillors recently agreed to reappoint principal teachers in a number of primary schools.

The posts - which provide support for head teachers - were controversially cut in most schools as part of budget saving measures in 2013.

Education officials said the move had a negative impact on school performance levels.