Parents FAQ

No, we are an independent not for profit professional body, serving the public interest. This is essential if we are to be seen as independent and fair in our role as a regulator. Our governing Council is made up of a wide cross-section of those concerned about education, with a majority of teacher members.

No. Although we offer a range of support to qualified teachers through seminars, training and so on, we primarily serve the interests of pupils and the wider public, using our regulatory powers  so that they can have full confidence in teachers' competence and conduct. We also have a statutory power to advise the Secretary of State on professional issues around teaching and learning.

We do rely on  working very closely with the teaching profession.The six teacher associations are all represented on the Council, and the majority of the 64 Council members are teachers.

As the independent professional body for teaching we are passionate about education. We exist to uphold the highest quality of education for your child and to encourage confidence and trust in teachers and teaching. Every teacher teaching in state education has to be registered with us, and can face disciplinary action if they fail in their professional conduct or competence.

Each year a significant number of teachers will be referred to the GTC for investigation, which takes disciplinary action against those who have either proved incompetent or demonstrated unacceptable conduct. In some cases this will mean suspension, and for some a complete bar from ever teaching again.

As well as our regulatory role, we have a statutory role to  encourage and share educational research to both guide government policy and support teachers. We are also committed to raising standards in teaching by regular training, seminars and conferences for teachers.

All qualified teachers, including supply teachers who wish to teach in state education. Around a quarter of teachers in the independent sector choose voluntarily to register with the GTC.

At the GTC we have a clearly defined role in issues such as performance. We are not involved in the early stages because each school has its own internal processes for investigating concerns. Your starting point is the head teacher. If you are unhappy with the school's response, then ask about the school's complaints procedure and the role played by its governing body.

If subsequently a teacher has been dismissed or resigned in the face of dismissal, their employer, usually the local authority, must refer the case to the GTC as the teacher's regulatory body. Such a referral might lead to the teacher being barred from teaching altogether.

If a teacher's professional conduct is affecting the quality of teaching in their class, then the first approach must be to the employer's disciplinary procedures. The employer in state schools is the local authority, but usually you would report your concerns to the head teacher of the school first.

If the teacher has subsequently been dismissed or has resigned in the face of dismissal, their employer (usually the local authority) must refer the case to the GTC as the teacher’s regulatory body.

No. Any cases that may pose a threat to a child's safety or welfare (for example, if a teacher is convicted of a sexual offence against a child) are handled by the Secretary of State for Education.

Yes you can. Out of the 64 members of the governing Council, 13 are appointed by the Secretary of State through public advertisement. Each appointed member will serve for a period of two to five years.