GTC hearings continue to rise

last updated:10 Dec 2009

The GTC held 164 disciplinary hearings during the year 2008-09. The number of hearings has more than doubled since 2005, reflecting a growing capacity to hear cases.

Cases are referred to us from employers, registered teachers, the Department for Schools, Children and Families (DSCF), and the public, and they're split into eight categories.

Seven deal with misconduct and one with professional incompetence. However some cases fit in more than one category. These categories alongside useful sample scenarios are available in the GTC’s Annual report on registration and regulation 2008-09.

What happened at the hearings?
All cases were carefully considered, before the hearings committee decided on whether a disciplinary sanction was necessary. During 2008-09 the following sanctions were issued:

• Reprimand (49 cases)
• Conditional Registration Order (35 cases)
• Prohibition Order (25 cases)
• Suspension Order (15 cases)
• Suspension Order with conditions (eight cases)

The remaining cases were either found not guilty, received no sanction, or fell in to two additional categories including ‘other’ and ‘otherwise disposed of’. 

What about cases involving young peoples’ safety?
In January 2009 the newly created Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) took over responsibility for cases involving the safety and welfare of all young people under 18. This was previously handled by the DCSF.

Employers are now expected to refer any cases relating to the safety and welfare of children and young people under 18 directly to the ISA.

Induction appeals
Teachers who have failed to complete their NQT year satisfactorily or have been granted an extension to their induction period have the right of appeal against the decision to the GTC. In 2008-09 there were five induction appeals and one of those was upheld.