Statement of the role of Members of the General Teaching Council for England

Introduction

The General Teaching Council for England (GTC) is the independent professional body for teaching. The overall purpose of the GTC is to help to raise standards of teaching and the quality of learning.

The Council works directly with teachers and with partners in the education community to support teacher professionalism and to provide strong, rigorous evidence on effective ways to improve teaching and learning.

The law gives the GTC four principal uties, working in the public interest:

• to maintain a register of teachers in England
• to regulate the profession in the public interest
• to advise Government and others on the role and supply of teachers and the quality of teaching and learning
• to raise the standing of the teaching profession.

A fundamental commitment to equal opportunities covers all aspects of the Council’s work.

There are 64 Council members. Of these the majority are teachers and 25 are directly elected. The teacher unions and associations, governor and parent organisations, church education authorities, children’s services organisations, further and higher education, and local government and equality bodies all nominate representatives to serve on Council ensuring that the GTC reflects the diversity of the education community.

Council Members form a vital link between practising teachers, other partners in the education service and the wider public.

The role

Council Members:

• help to promote high standards of teaching by taking part in the development of GTC policy at Council and Committee meetings
• uphold professional standards  by taking part in the investigation or hearing of regulatory cases
• act as an advocate for teachers, teaching and the GTC through the Council’s networks, conferences and events.
• take responsibility for ensuring that the GTC itself runs effectively and makes good use of teachers’ registration fees.

The balance of activity is flexible and will vary depending on Members’ interests and expertise.

Qualities and experience required

A passion for education

The GTC was established to give teaching a professional voice at national level; protecting and advancing the reputation of the profession through effective regulation in the public interest and the development of sound, evidence based, policies on teaching.  Council Members are advocates and champions for teaching and for the work of the GTC.  You will be asked to give talks and presentations to groups of teachers and to represent the Council in a variety of forums.

Integrity and conscientiousness

You will be asked to take part in the Council’s regulatory work, sitting on committees that determine whether a teacher should be investigated or disciplined.  You must prepare for this role carefully, reading and reflecting on the teacher’s circumstances so that you can reach a fair judgement in the public interest.  Training will be provided.

The volume of paperwork is substantial but essential.  Experience of reading and analysing complex documents will be useful.

Council Members are accountable for the work of the Council, including planning its budget, setting the fee and ensuring that funds are spent properly.

Professional credibility

The Council advises the Secretary of State on a wide range of issues affecting the quality of teaching.  It draws on research evidence and the expertise of practising teachers.  You need the professional credibility to contribute to the formulation of GTC policy.  Your track record as a classroom teacher or school leader is important.

Strategic vision

The Council sets the direction for the work of the GTC and is accountable to Parliament, to teachers and the wider public.  You need to be able to think strategically and ensure that the Council focuses its attention on the key issues affecting the profession.

Team working

You will take part in three Council meetings per year and you could also be a member of a Council committee or a policy group.  These committees, which include an Executive Committee from September 2007, and groups play a key role in developing Council policy and you need to work as an effective team member, participating in debates and respecting the aim to reach consensus.  Good team working is also essential for the Council’s regulatory panels to work effectively. 

The commitment

This will require an overall commitment of approximately 20 days per year in term time. You should expect to spend between five and 12 days on regulatory work and to attend three Council meetings a year. The balance of your time is divided between committee or policy working groups and undertaking advocacy mainly in your local area on behalf of the Council.

In addition to the 20 days, Members need to be prepared to thoroughly read case papers in preparation for regulatory investigations or hearings and to prepare for Council and Committee meetings.

Location of meetings

Committee meetings are held in London and Birmingham. There are video-conference facilities between the two offices enabling Members to travel to the most convenient location. Regulatory hearings are all held in Birmingham, but full Council meetings are held in a range of venues nationwide. The Council tries to time meetings to minimise the need for Members to be away from home overnight but this is sometimes necessary. For Members who live a long way from London or Birmingham, the travel requirements could add to the 20-day aggregate commitment.

Expenses and support

The Council pays travel, accommodation and subsistence expenses for attendance at meetings.
Council currently pays a standard daily rate of £235 to reimburse all Members’ employers.  Self-employed members and supply teachers receive this as a personal attendance allowance, with payments based on certified attendance. The Council will arrange for appropriate training and induction for new Members and ongoing development support whilst in office.

The Council will also support Members with ICT equipment to ensure they have access to information and communications relating to the work of Council. The GTC maintains a regular dialogue with Members’ employers to update them of the work of the GTC and secure their support for it.

The work of Members of the GTC is recognised as a public duty within the time off for public duties regulations, equivalent to those stated in the ‘Burgundy book’, and this helps ensure that Members have the time commitment which is essential to carry out their Member role successfully.