As the bell rings to signal the beginning of the school day depute rector Ann Buchan stands at her door directing pupils to class while simultaneously supplying ties to those who have not turned up in full uniform.

And, even as the voice of the rector comes over the tannoy with the morning news, Ann, who has been at her desk since 7.10 a.m., is still offering advice and making sure stragglers are heading the right way.

Teaching is one of today's most popular career choices, with record
numbers signing up for university courses and competition for jobs fierce.

In Scotland the number of probationer teachers has risen from 2730 in 2004 to 3700 this year. And, in Falkirk, out of 113 probationers who applied for jobs only 33 secured full-time positions.

So what does a career at the chalk face actually involve?

Well, for one thing, there is now no chalk in sight.

Ann has been a depute rector at the school for almost five years, having come up the ranks over the last three decades.

Back at her desk, the former drama teacher said: "Today we have white boards in all classrooms – the old chalk boards have gone.

''We also have data projectors in most classrooms and we are rolling out a programme over the next two years where every classroom will have a data projector linked to a computer.

''We use them to project images and video material. This kind of technology is bringing the school into the 21st century."

And, shadowing Ann on her daily round of classes, I find out that teachers are even using You Tube and blogging in lessons.

During my day in school I also learn that, from class teachers to
senior management, there is one recurring theme – the long hours put in.

"It is a long shift,'' said Ann. ''The amount of marking and lesson planning the teachers have is huge, particularly for the new teachers. It's not a nine to four job.

"I do get stressed and tired, but I love the school and the kids. If I didn't like it I would do something else."

As well as lunchtime duty and corridor monitoring, Ann also takes the time to go out in the evenings with Larbert High's school-based police officer, Ally Moreland, who is the only one of his kind in Central Scotland.

Ann said: "We often go out on Friday evenings and drive around the local area. Since Ally came on board our exclusion rate has gone down and anti-social behaviour has disappeared completely.

"Litter is still not great, but we now have fewer phone calls from shopkeepers and that is down to having a presence in town at lunch time."

Discipline has also seen a makeover in recent years.

Ann said: "We now try to promote an ethos of praise and encouragement, and operate reward systems. It really helps the pupils and encourages them to do their best to achieve.

"Many years ago it was black and white, but today we try to listen to the kids. It's very unlikely that you will ever hear us shout."

At Larbert High there are around 200 members of staff for the 1800 pupils, with 75 per cent of the teaching staff being new recruits over the last four years.

Despite the shortage of jobs, Ann says certain departments are still crying out for staff.

She explained: "For a while there was a slump in teaching applications but it has come back into favour.

''We were really struggling for teachers, but then there was a big effort made in terms of getting probationers.

''However, in subjects like art and music, we are still having a bit of a problem. The types of teachers needed varies from school to school."

The increase in popularity, Ann feels, is down to changes in salary and conditions under the McCrone agreement, introduced in 2001.

She said: "It is a fairly stable job. Whatever changes, we are always going to need teachers.

''It is a good job if you love kids and education and like the environment of schools. But you need to have the energy and drive to deal with it.

''I find that the young people coming out of university are now much better equipped to deal with coming straight in to a school. The postgraduate course has changed so much, it gives them a lot of information."

The bell then sounds again, signalling the beginning of the lunch break, and Ann is off organising papers and notes, having to squeeze a staff meeting into the lunch hour.

While doing so a pupil with an urgent concern arrives at her door and this matter is swiftly solved before the meeting begins.

Ann said: "My favourite part is the pupils – you couldn't have a school with out them. It's great when you are able to sort something out or solve a problem. It doesn't need to be academic, it is just so lovely seeing them make progress. "