Provisional registration for trainees

last updated:19 Dec 2011

The Education Act, which confirms the abolition of the GTC, became law in November 2011. Until the GTC’s final closure on 31 March 2012, it remains a legal requirement for all teachers in maintained schools, non-maintained special schools, pupil referral units and most academies to be registered with the GTC. 

For more information regarding the abolition of the GTC please see the Future of the GTC section.

Provisional registration
The GTC keeps a register of those who are training to become teachers. This means that all provisionally-registered trainee teachers will receive a teacher reference number (TRN) and are subject to the GTC’s Code of Conduct and Practice.

Your initial teacher training (ITT) institution will give you a GTC suitability declaration form, which you must complete and return to to your training provider before you start your ITT.

As a provisionally registered teacher, you can benefit from many of the services that the GTC provides for fully registered teachers, including research to help your academic studies or guidance to support the early years of your career.

GTC Code of conduct and practice
The Code of conduct and practice sets out standards for the behaviour and competence of teachers. In particular, its rules on behaviour apply to provisionally registered teachers. This means that any trainee can be referred to the GTC, following a conduct matter that has led to their leaving a teacher training course.

Rules referring to competence come into force only after you have attained qualified teacher status, and are fully registered with the GTC.

In autumn 2009, following wide consultation, the GTC introduced a new code. This reflects several key changes in the profession, including the professional standards framework, equalities legislation, and the Every Child Matters agenda.

Your TRN
This is your unique seven-digit number that you will use throughout your career, with employers, government agencies and the GTC. Those beginning their teacher training at the start of the autumn term should receive their TRN soon after they start their course, with similar timings for those who begin training at other times of the year.