A TARBOLTON Primary teacher has been praised for her successful probation at the school.

Lauren Meikle is one of three Ayrshire probationer teachers who were nominated for the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s National Probationer Celebration.

Lauren completed her probation at the South Ayrshire school, and will now be eligible to teach full time, with full GTCS registration, from August 2020.

She was nominated by South Ayrshire Council and the Scottish Council of Independent Schools for her “hard work and dedication”.

A unique celebration took place online due to lockdown, with probationers and supporters taking to Twitter and the GTC Scotland website to celebrate their success.

Lauren and her fellow probationers were given praise by Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

In a video message the Cabinet Secretary for Education said: “I know that the support that you’ve had to date and the commitment that you have given will equip you well for those challenges that lie ahead.

“So as you embark on this most important career – this challenge to make a difference in the lives of children and young people in Scotland – I wish you well.

“I wish you every success in making a difference in the lives of children and young people.”

The probationers were given high praise by the General Teaching Council for their resilience to dealing with the coronavirus crisis.

GTC Scotland Chief Executive and Registrar, Ken Muir, said: “I particularly wish to celebrate all this year’s probationers, and their supporters, for their resilience in adapting to the challenges that COVID-19 has thrown their way and their commitment to ensuring a quality teaching and learning experience for children and young people .”