Psychology teachers in Scotland

As in every country where psychology is available as a subject at pre-university level, psychology courses in Scottish schools and colleges are very popular. Psychology teachers and lecturers support each other nationally via the Association for the Teaching of Psychology Scotland (ATPS), which was created in 2001, a year after the SQA introduced National Qualifications (NQs) in Psychology, at Higher and other levels. 

There is also an informal national 'PsychEmail' network of teachers, and several regional groupings of teachers who meet in person to share resources and ideas, and to discuss issues of curriculum and assessment. Psychology teachers find these grassroots networks invaluable as subject-specific professional development opportunities have now become rarer.  

In recent months, psychology teachers in Scottish schools have lobbied for fairer treatment of students in terms of the 2025 SQA exam timetable; when first announced in late 2024, the exams for psychology and English were timetabled for morning and afternoon on the same day. 

This would severely disadvantage students who are entitled to additional time in exams, as they would have very little time to rest between exams and would experience a very long and challenging day. The ATPS, along with several headteachers, parents and students themselves, complained to the authorities. The protest gained media attention. The education minister, Jenny Gilruth MSP, stepped in, and ultimately a revised, fairer timetable was issued.

Europe and beyond

The network of psychology teachers extends into Europe and beyond: the ATPS is an active member of the European Federation of Psychology Teachers' Associations (EFPTA, www.efpta.org ). 

In April, representatives from Scotland attended a meeting of the EFPTA executive board in Odense, Denmark, hosted by psychology teachers in the historic Katedralskole. In March, Scottish reps helped organise and present EFPTA's international webinar on the topic of 'The value of teaching psychology in schools'; the event attracted 100 participants, from 26 countries around the world. Expert panellists, including Nicky Hayes, former BPS president, discussed questions such as: Integrating the subject of psychology into the core school curriculum; the psychological topics that should be taught; the barriers that psychology educators encounter; and how psychological literacy benefits not just students, but schools and society as a whole. 

EFPTA conferences are held every two years – the next one will be held on 16-19 April 2026 in Ljubljana, Slovenia – all welcome! Keep an eye on the website for updates, or join the mailing list.

Anyone who teaches psychology at any level, or who simply has an interest in psychology education, is welcome to join the ATPS and also to take part in EFPTA activities. For more information on either or both organisations, please contact Morag Williamson at [email protected].  

Morag is a retired psychology teacher and a BPS Scotland committee member, as well as an ATPS member.

Psychology teachers from nine European countries, including Scotland, met in Odense