Teachers from GTC professional learning projects meet local MPs

Teachers and local authority advisers involved with the GTC's Teacher Learning Academy and professional networks met their local MPs at a recent reception held at the House of Commons.

The aim of the event, hosted by Ian Stewart MP in the Members Dining Room at the House of Commons, was to give teachers and local authority advisers the opportunity to discuss their work with those politicians who have a specific interest in education. The GTC's Teacher Learning Academy offers public and professional recognition for teachers' learning, development and improvement work, and the professional networks support teaching practice and provide a link between teachers nationwide to share ideas, strategies and expertise.

Speaking at the event were Ian Stewart MP, Schools Minister Jim Knight MP, GTC Chief Executive Keith Bartley and GTC Vice Chair Sashi Sivaloganathan. Jim Knight said that he was delighted to have the opportunity to thank teachers for their work to improve standards of teaching and learning. He had visited five schools that week and found that schools were tackling behaviour through good teaching. He also referred to the introduction of the new performance management framework from September 2008, saying that he believed this would an opportunity to entrench good practice, in the way that teachers involved with the GTC’s networks were already doing. Finally, he welcomed the prospect of close joint working between the DfES and the GTC and said that he wanted to renew and strengthen that relationship.