Accreditation: an investment in the future of teaching
Initial teacher education (ITE) accreditation is a vital process through which we set and uphold the high standards required for entry into the teaching profession. This responsibility was most recently formalised under the Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 2011, shaping the frameworks and policies that underpin ITE today.
As the independent regulator for teachers in Scotland, one of our statutory functions is to determine what constitutes a recognised teaching qualification. We do this by accrediting ITE programmes provided by higher education institutions (HEIs) in Scotland.
Through accreditation, we ensure that these programmes equip ITE students with the knowledge, skills and understanding required to meet the Standard for Provisional Registration which is the gateway standard for entry to the Register of Teachers. On average, over 3,000 students achieve the Standard for Provisional Registration following successful completion of a recognised Scottish teaching qualification each year.
Accreditation not only assures quality within ITE but also reinforces public trust in the profession by ensuring that all new teachers meet the highest standards. By setting clear expectations through accreditation, we help safeguard the integrity of the teaching profession and support the development of highly skilled teachers as part of our commitment to trusted teaching.
Collaboration
This commitment is realised through close collaboration with Scotland’s 11 HEIs who offer ITE, ensuring that accreditation is both rigorous and supportive. In my role, I work closely with HEIs, providing guidance and information to help them prepare for their 6-yearly re-accreditation. We publish a comprehensive framework, policy, and guidelines that set out the expectations and requirements for all ITE programmes across Scotland.
Accreditation decisions are made by a group of experts who form panels and a key part of my role is liaising with panel members. Having seen the process firsthand, I know that serving on an ITE accreditation panel not only deepens understanding of the regulatory process but is also a highly rewarding experience. As one panel member put it, "The ITE accreditation process is an important investment in the teaching profession – one that ensures we continue to uphold the highest professional standards."
Accreditation provides HEIs with an opportunity to reflect on their programme development and outline their future direction. This ensures that ITE programmes remain current, relevant, and responsive to the evolving needs of ITE students in a dynamic educational landscape.
Through accreditation, GTC Scotland gains valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities within ITE. For example, over the past year, a key emerging theme has been the need to ensure ITE students are well-prepared to support learners with additional support needs (ASN). There is specific recognition of ASN throughout the Professional Standards and a core component of teachers’ professional commitment is understanding the needs of learners with ASN. That is why the processes we have in place for accrediting and reaccrediting programmes of ITE include the requirement for HEIs to evidence ASN learning within programme content.
The future of accreditation
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are in the early stages of reviewing our accreditation processes to ensure they remain targeted, proportionate, and sustainable. In a constantly evolving education landscape, it is essential that our approach to accreditation is agile and can anticipate change – maintaining high standards while being responsive to the needs of HEIs, ITE students, and the wider profession. This review will help ensure that accreditation continues to be a meaningful and impactful process, supporting the development of high-quality ITE in Scotland.
Ultimately, accreditation is more than a quality assurance process – it is an investment in the future of teaching. By upholding rigorous, inclusive, and forward-thinking regulation principles, we help shape ITE students who will inspire and support the next generation of learners.
Box-out: Setting ITE entry requirements
GTC Scotland sets minimum entry requirements for ITE programmes provided by HEIs that lead to a recognised teaching qualification. A revised Memorandum on Entry Requirements to Programmes of Initial Teacher Education in Scotland was published in 2024, following a public consultation.
