Upholding teaching standards

published:

Since 2000, every qualified teacher working in a school in England must be on the GTC Register. The GTC can hold teachers on the Register accountable for their professional conduct and competence. More than 500 000 qualified teachers are on the Register, including many from the independent sector who join on a voluntary basis. Teachers can only be registered by the GTC if they have qualified teacher status (QTS). Provisional registration for trainee teachers and those trained overseas started in September 2008.

Before a teacher can be appointed to a school, the head teacher or local authority (LA) must check that he or she is qualified, and also registered with the GTC. By checking the GTC Register, the school or LA can be assured there is no reason regarding that teacher's conduct or competence to prevent them being appointed.

Effective regulation gives the public confidence that teachers are committed to high standards of teaching and professional conduct. This helps maintain the high regard that the public has for the teaching profession, and safeguards you and your child.

Only by working closely with teachers and understanding their concerns can the GTC do its job - two thirds of GTC Council members are practising teachers, in daily contact with the realities of the classroom. GTC offers professional networks, development seminars and specialist training to improve and develop classroom teaching.