News for head teachers: September 2006

The GTC Teacher Learning Academy (TLA) now has more than 600 trained leaders working in 75 local areas. Participating schools benefit from the TLA’s proven approach to teachers’ professional development, which offers recognition for teachers’ own improvement work at every stage of their career.

The TLA is now linked to two major NCSL programmes, Leading from the Middle and Leadership Pathways. Teachers can gain additional value and professional recognition from the TLA for their work on these programmes.

www.gtce.org.uk/tla

All newly qualified teachers starting work this term have been invited to join the Engage network, becoming part of a professional community of new teachers and the mentors who support them.  Members receive a termly electronic newsletter and invitations to take part in GTC events and project groups which will support their development and retention at this crucial early stage.  Please encourage your NQTs to give us their email addresses so that they can become actively involved and benefit from the advice and resources provided.

www.gtce.org.uk/networks/engagehome/

We are now into the peak period for the award of QTS. Between now and the end of September the GTC expects to make nearly 28,000 QTS awards. The vast majority of these, 24,000, will be awarded as a result of the annual college exit.

• Schools who are employers will be able to check an NQT’s QTS and GTC registration status by using the above service. If you use your LA’s HR services, you can ask them to check through the GTC’s online service.
• Any NQT who is employed in a location where registration is a requirement should be encouraged to register with the GTC if they have not already done so.

Please note that the role of the GTC in these matters is limited only to the award of QTS based on the recommendations of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) providers and does not extend to employment issues.

If you are an employing school, individual teacher registration checks can be made by calling the GTC employer team on 0870 001 4823.
Please ensure that you have the teacher’s:

• name
• Teacher Reference Number (DfES number); and
• date of birth

available.

Please do not disclose this telephone number to individual teachers or use the line for other employer enquiries, as this will reduce the efficiency with which we can answer queries. Thank you.

Schools can also bulk check the registration status of their staff with us direct by writing, emailing or phoning the Employer Access Team to request a registration list of teachers we hold for them. Please provide following details:

• the school address
• LA code
• DfES establishment number.

 
Contact details for the Employer Access Team are as follows:

Postal address:
The Employer Access Team,
General Teaching Council
Victoria Square House
Victoria Square
Birmingham
B2 4AJ

Telephone:
0870 001 4823

Email:
employeraccess@gtce.org.uk

For more information on registration you can visit the GTC website at www.gtce.org.uk/reg/basics or call the GTC on 0870 001 0308.