Context
GTC Scotland has a duty to regulate teachers in the public interest and, in so doing, is accountable to the public and the profession for maintaining standards and ensuring that teachers are fit to teach.
Public trust in the teaching profession, as well as the protection of learners and their educational wellbeing, sits at the heart of GTC Scotland’s statutory objectives and this Code sets out the principles of conduct that are expected of teachers in meeting their professional and ethical obligations.
Purpose, scope and status of the Code
Purpose
This Code of Professionalism and Conduct sets out the key principles and values for registered teachers in Scotland. In accordance with the general principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and GTC Scotland’s wider framework of standards, this Code and commentary states not only to the profession, but also to members of the public, the standard of conduct and competence expected of registered teachers.
The Code of Professionalism and Conduct and commentary cannot address every possible circumstance in which teachers might find themselves. However, it is intended that teachers are mindful of the Code in relation to the judgements which they will be called upon to make in situations which may occur both within and outwith the professional context.
Scope
This Code applies to fully registered and, with the exception of Part 3, to provisionally registered teachers in whatever educational, or other, setting the registered teacher may work, regardless of their employment status. We also use the Code to assess the suitability of individuals seeking to join our register.
Throughout the code where the term ‘learner’ is used it refers to those being educated in the pre-five, primary, secondary and further education sectors.
Status
This version of the Code is effective from 29 November 2024. It replaces the 2012 Code but reflects the same content. For the purposes of fitness to teach proceedings, the 2012 Code will continue to apply to allegations which relate to conduct between 2 April 2012 and 28 November 2024. The 2002 Code and 2008 Code respectively apply to allegations prior to that.
This is guidance and not a statutory code therefore teachers must use their own judgement and common sense in applying the principles to the various situations in which they may find themselves. However, teachers must be aware that a serious breach or series of minor breaches of these principles could lead to action which may result in an adverse fitness to teach finding.
Teachers should interpret the Code and its commentary based on common sense and good professional judgement. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of unacceptable or unwise behaviours, but rather it is designed to provide guidance and raise awareness of issues and situations which can potentially arise.
GTC Scotland has a duty to regulate teachers in the public interest and, in so doing, is accountable to the public and the profession for maintaining standards and ensuring that teachers are fit to teach.
Public trust in the teaching profession, as well as the protection of learners and their educational wellbeing, sits at the heart of GTC Scotland’s statutory objectives and this Code sets out the principles of conduct that are expected of teachers in meeting their professional and ethical obligations.
Purpose, scope and status of the Code
Purpose
This Code of Professionalism and Conduct sets out the key principles and values for registered teachers in Scotland. In accordance with the general principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and GTC Scotland’s wider framework of standards, this Code and commentary states not only to the profession, but also to members of the public, the standard of conduct and competence expected of registered teachers.
The Code of Professionalism and Conduct and commentary cannot address every possible circumstance in which teachers might find themselves. However, it is intended that teachers are mindful of the Code in relation to the judgements which they will be called upon to make in situations which may occur both within and outwith the professional context.
Scope
This Code applies to fully registered and, with the exception of Part 3, to provisionally registered teachers in whatever educational, or other, setting the registered teacher may work, regardless of their employment status. We also use the Code to assess the suitability of individuals seeking to join our register.
Throughout the code where the term ‘learner’ is used it refers to those being educated in the pre-five, primary, secondary and further education sectors.
Status
This version of the Code is effective from 29 November 2024. It replaces the 2012 Code but reflects the same content. For the purposes of fitness to teach proceedings, the 2012 Code will continue to apply to allegations which relate to conduct between 2 April 2012 and 28 November 2024. The 2002 Code and 2008 Code respectively apply to allegations prior to that.
This is guidance and not a statutory code therefore teachers must use their own judgement and common sense in applying the principles to the various situations in which they may find themselves. However, teachers must be aware that a serious breach or series of minor breaches of these principles could lead to action which may result in an adverse fitness to teach finding.
Teachers should interpret the Code and its commentary based on common sense and good professional judgement. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of unacceptable or unwise behaviours, but rather it is designed to provide guidance and raise awareness of issues and situations which can potentially arise.
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