A TRIO of newly qualified teachers from Inverclyde have told of their excitement as they get set to take their first steps in the world of education this week.

Liam Ruddy, Scott Trench and Brooke Hooper are three of the 45 probationers starting at schools in the district this Friday.

The group joined the rest of their cohort at an induction event held on Tuesday at Inverclyde Academy and told the Telegraph why they had decided to pursue teaching as a career.

The 45 probationary teachers who are starting work across Inverclyde this week. (Image: George Munro)

Liam Ruddy, who is from Gourock, will spend the 2024/25 term at Aileymill Primary, a school where he worked in the past before training as a teacher.

The 28-year-old said he was encouraged to become a teacher by staff at the school when he worked there, and is pleased to be returning.  

He added: “I started as a PSA [pupil support assistant] in Newark Primary and then went to do a health and wellbeing job in Aileymill.

“I just loved the job so much and enjoyed working with the kids in the school environment.

“I got a bit of encouragement from the staff to go and do the post grad course. The ex-head teacher pushed me to go and do it for my first year.

“I’ve always wanted to work in schools. That’s why I became a PSA. But teaching was a wee bit further away for me at that point.

Liam Ruddy will begin his teaching career at Aileymill Primary. (Image: George Munro)

“It’s good to be able to work my way up.

“I loved working at Aileymill and I really enjoyed the environment and working with the staff, so I’m going back there for my teaching year now.

“I’m so happy to be going there. It takes a lot of the pressure off you when you know everyone already.”

Newly qualified teacher Brooke Harper admits she will have a familiar feeling when she begins her new role at Port Glasgow High School on Friday, as she went to school just a stone’s throw away at St Stephen’s.

She added: “Teaching was something I always fancied since I was in school.

“I studied my undergraduate in business, then realised I was really interested in becoming a business and admin teacher.

“I applied right away to do my post-grad, and luckily I got in.

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“I’m starting in Port Glasgow High School. I went to St Stephens as a pupil so I’ll be on the other side of the building now.

“I’m nervous but excited about it. I’m just looking forward to starting.

Brooke Harper went to school just a stone's throw away from Port Glasgow High. (Image: George Munro)

“When I was in high school, it was always a thought that I wanted to be a teacher, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to teach or if I wanted to be a primary teacher.

“I ended up applying to do business at university because that was something I enjoyed at school, and then I realised I could go into doing a postgraduate course to teach.”

Greenock-born Scott Trench has had spells in the past as a PSA at Whinhill Primary and a health and wellbeing coach before qualifying as a teacher.

He said: “After two years of that I decided I wanted to pursue a career in teaching from that experience.

“Working with the kids is a rewarding environment. What you put back in you get back out.

“I loved that environment, loved the staff and was very happy to pursue that next stage of my career.

“I’m going to be back at Whinhill which I’m very excited about, it’s a big weight off your mind when you go somewhere and you already know the staff.

“I’m very lucky.

(Image: George Munro)

“I’m from Greenock myself, I’ve worked here all my days.

“I actually went to Highlanders Academy, which joined up with Overton to make Whinhill.

“It’s my own school, really, and it’s exciting to be back there.”