THE number of trainee teachers quitting after only a year in the post has doubled in four years.

Statistics show nearly 300 probationers have dropped out within a year of starting since 2014.

It came as separate figures revealed almost 100 headteacher and deputy head positions were still being advertised at the start of the new term.

Scottish Labour's education spokesman Iain Gray said the SNP had created a workforce crisis, with teachers “overworked and underpaid”.

He said: “Hundreds of new teachers have quit the profession since Nicola Sturgeon claimed education is the top priority.

“Under the Nationalists Scotland’s teachers work some of the longest hours in the world for some of the lowest pay. Any government who claims to value education must value our teachers.

“That’s why Labour wants to see a fair deal for our teachers, allowing them the time that they need to teach, making sure they are paid what they are worth and making the profession attractive again so more people go into teaching and then stay there.”

The number of secondary school teachers quitting after only a year has almost trebled, from 12 in 2014/15 to 34 in the last school year.

Across primary schools, 71 probationers were no longer in post by the summer holidays last year – compared to just 39 in 2014/15.

Meanwhile, figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats using Freedom of Information laws show 92 senior leadership roles were vacant at the start of term, including 17 in Aberdeen and 12 in Glasgow. There were more than 500 class and principal teacher vacancies.

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesman Tavish Scott said: "The Scottish Government say that they want to empower head teachers but in practice they are struggling even to find them.

“Dozens of schools are being left without leadership because so many teachers don’t want the stress involved with running our overstretched schools.

"Recent research shows that 70 per cent of Scotland's teachers do not feel valued and only a minority would recommend the career to others.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We recognise that some probation teachers may choose to leave for a number of reasons but the fact is 88 per cent secured permanent or temporary contracts as teachers last year – a record number.

“This coupled with the 543 rise in teachers numbers this year shows our policies are making teaching an attractive career choice.

“Headteachers play a critical role as leading figures both within their school, and the wider community it serves. We recognise that the role can be very challenging, but also hugely rewarding and want to encourage more teachers to consider headship."