Hi Zoe,
Our probation for teaching staff is a full year. The process involves at least two review points (end of autumn term and end of spring term) after which the line manager makes a recommendation to Cabinet about whether the teacher should pass/fail or have probation extended (with a third and possibly further review points). Each review involves a lesson observation and feedback, and there will obviously be more informal feedback through the terms.
Approval of passing probation is at Cabinet (a group of the head, deputy heads, bursar and myself) and then a letter goes to the member of staff if approved or 1:1 meetings if not. While the line manager makes the recommendation, the head ultimately approves the result. The aim is for the outcome never to be a surprise, and when someone is not succeeding, we put in place a lot of support to help.
Notice period during probation is 8 weeks, rising to a full term once probation is completed.
Hope that helps - do feel free to get in touch if there's anything I can help with if you're new to education. Also the ISBA resources and community can be really helpful.
Thanks,
Nina

In reply to Nina Waters:

Thank you Nina that's really helpful.