Attending an in-person Fitness to Teach hearing
In-person Fitness to Teach hearings are held at our office: Clerwood House, 96 Clermiston Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6UT.
We will let you know what time to arrive. When you arrive, you should sign in at reception.
You will be given a visitor’s badge and shown to a room where you will wait to be called to give your evidence. Other witnesses may be in the room.
A member of our Regulation Team will visit the room to speak to you before you give evidence. They will answer any questions you have.
You can bring a laptop, some work or a book/magazine to use while you are waiting. The Wi-Fi password is displayed on the wall and is available from reception.
You may want to bring food and refreshments with you. No food is available in the building. The nearest shop (Scotmid Co-Op) is a 20-minute walk or 3-minute drive each way.
You cannot bring any additional notes to the hearing. We will provide you with a copy of your statement.
When the Panel is ready to hear your evidence, you will be shown to the hearing room.
Special arrangements and support
Please let us know if you have any concerns and tell us if you need any special arrangements in advance of the hearing. We will make all reasonable accommodations.
Frequently asked questions
You will sit at a table to give your evidence.
To your left will be the 3 Fitness to Teach Panel Members, Legal Assessor and Servicing Officer.
To your right will be the Presenting Officer, the teacher/college lecturer and/or their representative.
If the meeting is held in public, members of the public and media may be seated on the other side of the room from you.
When you enter the room, you will enter a door to the left of the members of the public and media and cross the room to the witness table.
Clerwood House is up a steep drive. If you find walking uphill difficult, we would suggest getting a taxi to the door.
By rail
- Edinburgh Haymarket Station is approximately 20 minutes by taxi during quiet times
- Waverley Station is approximately 25 minutes by taxi during quiet times
- Visit the ScotRail website to plan your journey
By bus
- Lothian Buses' Route 26 stops on Clermiston Road, a short walk to Clerwood House
- Visit the Lothian Buses website to plan your journey
You may bring someone with you for support. They can be a family member, friend or colleague. They must have no connection to the case. If you would like to bring a supporter please let us know in advance. Your supporter can stay with you in the waiting room and sit in the public area of the hearing when you are giving evidence (provided the hearing is held in public).
We will refund all reasonable expenses. You must provide receipts for these expenses.
Reasonable expenses include travel expenses, accommodation expenses and expenses for meals or refreshments. We will provide an expense form for you to fill out.
Wellbeing support
We know that being involved in the Fitness to Teach process may be stressful. The following services are available to you if you need them.
Education Support: 08000 562 561
Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87
The Samaritans: 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Teacher Support Network, Recourse and Turn2us: 08000 562 561, email support@teachersupport.info or download practical guides
Turn2us is a free service that helps people in financial need access welfare benefits, charitable grants, and other financial help. Turn2us works in partnership with Teacher Support Scotland regarding the financial concerns of teachers.
