General Teaching Council for Scotland

GTCS was the first professional registration body for teachers in the United Kingdom, and one of the first teaching councils in the world. It was set up in 1965 under the Teaching Council (Scotland) Act 1965 following concerns that entry requirements had lowered after the Second World War and unqualified teachers were working in Scottish schools.[5] Its powers, remits and duties have since been amended by other legislation, including the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998[6] and the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc. Act 2000.[7] It is a legal requirement for all teachers working in Scottish local council schools to be registered with GTCS (The Requirements for Teachers (Scotland) Regulations 2005).[8]

On 2 April 2012 GTCS was granted independence status by the Scottish Government. The Teaching Council (Scotland) Act 1965 was repealed and replaced by the Public Services Reform (GTC Scotland) Order 2011.[9] The Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 2011 was made by Scottish Ministers in accordance with the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and passed into law on 17 March 2011.[10]

In June 2017 Scottish the Scottish Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, John Swinney, announced plans to reform the General Teaching Council for Scotland, bringing it together with other professional development bodies in a new Education Workforce Council for Scotland, similar to the Education Workforce Council in Wales.[11] Although described as independent, half of the Welsh EWC members are directly appointed through the Welsh Government public appointments system.[12] The Scottish Government intended to establish the Education Workforce Council for Scotland (EWCS), which it proposed would replace and take on the responsibilities of the GTCS, the Community Learning and Development Standards Council and register others working in education. Details were published in the Scottish Government's Empowering Schools consultation on a planned Education Bill in November 2017.[13][14] However, this proposed Bill was put aside on 26 June 2018 with the Scottish Government instead publishing a joint agreement with Scottish Local Authorities on school empowerment and collaboration.[15][16]

The Educational Institute of Scotland, the dominant teaching union, said in a statement in June 2017 that: "We remain to be convinced about the need for potential changes to the General Teaching Council, a world renowned teacher-led body which ensures the highest professional standards are maintained."[17] The EIS view is that the plans "risk putting years of progress on teacher professionalism into reverse".[18][19] The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) also voiced opposition saying it would be "a retrograde step".[20] The GTCS published its response to Empowering Schools on 1 February 2018 stating its strong opposition to the establishment of the EWCS.[21][22] The GTCS response stated: "...there is no evidence-based rationale for replacing GTCS, with its strong brand and highly-regarded national and international reputation, with a new body".[21]

John Swinney stated in the Scottish Parliament on 26 June 2018 that he accepted the “strength of feeling” in the sector to keep the GTCS.[23] The GTCS accepted Swinney had responded to concerns raised by teachers and the "comprehensive opposition to this proposal in the consultation returns". The GTCS said it would continue to work closely with Scottish Government "to consider how a wider range of educational professionals most directly involved in teaching might be registered with GTCS".[24] The EIS said it had "vehemently opposed" the proposal to abolish the GTCS and welcomed "the fact that the Scottish Government has listened to the voice of the teaching profession on this very important issue".[25]

The Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 2011 describes the GTCS's general functions.[26] The main ones are to keep a register of teachers qualified to teach in Scottish schools and to establish and review the standards of education and training appropriate to teachers.

The GTCS's general functions also include:

• the standards of conduct and professional competence expected of a registered teacher;
• investigating the fitness to teach of registered teachers;
• to keep itself informed of courses for the education and training of teachers;
• to make recommendations to Scottish Ministers on teachers’ education, training, career development and the supply of teachers (with some exceptions);
• to keep registers of other individuals working in educational settings as it thinks fit.[27]

GTCS performs a number of functions to support and inform the teaching profession and the wider public about Scottish education. It produces Teaching Scotland magazine.[37] This publication carries a range of news articles and features about education activities across the Scotland and is issued to teachers on the GTCS register.

In addition to this, GTCS holds a number of events throughout the year to promote and recognise the teaching profession. This includes, among many other activities, its Annual Lecture. The Lecture has previously been given by Annie Lennox, Lord David Puttnam, Christopher Brookmyre, Baroness Warnock and Sir Harry Burns amongst others.[38]

GTCS operates a number of web-based resources providing information about education in Scotland including Teacher Journey and in2teaching (a website for probationers).

• Education in Scotland
• Teaching qualification

• GTCS main site
• In2Teaching GTCS site which provides support and guidance for students, probationers and early phase teachers