Tackling inequality
The Disability Equality Duty comes into effect for secondary schools in England from December 2006, and for primary and special schools and pupil referral units from December 2007.
The duty gives public authorities a new way to tackle disability discrimination in a practical way. It means that schools will have to take proactive steps to promote disability equality for pupils, employees, and service users.
GTC Chief Executive Carol Adams comments: "We welcome the introduction of the disability equality duty to help improve the experiences of both pupils and teachers with disabilities.
“Our experience in setting up the national Disabled Teacher Taskforce has shown how vital it is that teachers with disabilities receive the support they need throughout their careers. Equally, measures must be in place to enable pupils with disabilities to participate fully in school life and achieve their potential. “But this will be a highly complex duty for schools. It will be crucial for resources and expertise to be made available to schools and teachers to help them develop and implement effective disability equality schemes."
- For more information, visit: www.dotheduty.org
- The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) has launched its first formal investigation into regulations and procedures governing entry to, and work in, teaching, nursing and social work. Its review will form part of a formal investigation into how training, qualifying and working practices within these professions may be posing challenges to the entry and progress of disabled people.
Eight out of 10
Although teachers have only been registered in England since 2000, nearly eight out of 10 members of the public (78 per cent) know registration is a requirement – well above the 55 per cent who know that dentists must be registered.
That's according to a poll by CommunicateResearch in July for the General Dental Council (GDC) and published as the GDC expands its register to include dental nurses.
At 83 per cent, awareness of teacher registration is highest among 35-44 year olds, many of whom will be parents. Although GTC Scotland has been in existence since 1965, public awareness of the need to register is comparable to England at 80 per cent.
Book your place now
We are running nationwide conferences and debates on Every Child Matters in November and during the spring term. For details, see the back page of this magazine and the flyer enclosed with this mailing.
There may still be some places left at our Assessment in the future conference in Manchester on Thursday 9 November. The Achieve network London meeting will take place on the evening of Monday 22 January 2007 in central London.
- To book your free place at any of these events, phone 08457 363 1478 or visit: www.gtce.org.uk/events
- If possible, have your teacher reference number to hand when you book.
