Code of conduct and practice for registered teachers

published:

The Code of conduct and practice for registered teachers was agreed at a meeting of the General Teaching Council for England on 30 June 2004 and came into effect from 1 November 2004. It was revised in July 2008 to recognise the position of provisional registrants.

It should not be confused with the Statement of professional values and practice for teachers.

Maintaining registration requires that teachers uphold appropriate standards of professional conduct and competence. The Code of conduct and practice sets out minimum standards expected of registered teachers and is for use within the Council's regulatory regime.

From 1 September 2008, the Code applies to teachers with qualified teacher status. Additionally, the Code's provision on conduct applies to teachers who are required to be provisionally registered with the GTC.

The Council has a role both in promoting the high standards and ensuring the minimum standards of the teaching profession. Since 2001, the GTC has considered cases of registered teachers whose standards of conduct or competence are alleged to have fallen below acceptable minima. Such cases are considered at hearings before Members of the Council, comprising a majority of teachers Members with lay representation. Since September 2007 such committees can be supplemented by an additional member appointed through a public appointments process.

The Code of conduct and practice has drawn on the Council's experience of regulating the teaching profession since 2001. The provisions of the Code are based upon behaviour already found by hearing committees to constitute unacceptable professional conduct, serious professional incompetence or to be a relevant criminal offence, however, they are not exclusive.

The Code is kept under review and revised in light of the Council's developing experience of regulation and in consultation with the profession and the wider public.