Regulating the teaching profession
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The GTC has a legal responsibility to deal with cases where there is serious doubt over a teacher's professional competence. Certain cases of misconduct, such as falsifying examination results or substance misuse, also come before the GTC. In cases of proven professional misconduct or serious professional incompetence the GTC has a range of disciplinary powers, from formal reprimands to suspension or complete prohibition from teaching.
The regulation process
Cases of misconduct or incompetence are always dealt with firmly, fairly and openly. Regulation is carried out through committee panels. First, an investigating committee of Council Members assesses whether a teacher has a case to answer, approaching the employer for evidence and giving the teacher the opportunity to respond. If action needs to be taken, a teacher will go before a panel to assess professional conduct or professional competence. Panels are made up of three people, two of whom will be teachers and two of whom will also be Council Members. Witnesses from both sides may be called.
Hearings and disciplinary action
Hearings are normally held in public. Dates of hearings are posted on the GTC website and at GTC offices. If the panel decides to take further action then, depending on the strength of the evidence presented, a teacher may be reprimanded or have restrictions imposed on their teaching practice. They can also be removed temporarily or permanently from the GTC Register. The outcomes of hearings are available to the public in summary form from the GTC's Birmingham office and on the website. A teacher who wishes to appeal against a judgement to the High Court may do so within 28 days.
If a GTC hearing disciplines a teacher, this will be immediately signalled on the teacher's entry on the Register. If the teacher applies to a new school, the head teacher or local authority will check the GTC register as part of the appointments process. There are safeguards to make sure that teachers who have been disciplined cannot simply move to another state school.
A teacher cannot apply to be reinstated until two years after a GTC hearing has found against them. Their application will then be formally considered and all available evidence taken into account.
