New GTCS Convener elected

Press release - 06 June 2007

May Ferries has been elected the new Convener of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

The election by Council members was held at the GTCS offices in Edinburgh this morning and follows the retirement of the previous Convener, Norma Anne Watson.

Ms Ferries was running against Jim Thewliss and will hold the post until the end of the current term of the Council – end October 2009. The final result was 17 to 11 with 2 votes spoiled.

GTCS Chief Executive, Matthew MacIver said:

"Congratulations to May on her appointment. Everyone at the GTCS is looking forward to working with her over the next few years.

"The post of GTCS Convener is an important one in Scottish education. May will provide direction and support to Council members as they develop policy and drive forward the work of this organisation, regulating the teaching profession."

NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

For further information about the election and the GTCS contact: Martin Osler, Press Officer, on 07739 185522.

May Ferries

May Ferries served as an elected member of the General Teaching Council for Scotland on the Sixth Council from February 1987 to January 1991 in the primary/nursery teacher category. In February 1999 she was re-elected to the Ninth Council in the same category. Since then she has served continuously over three Councils.

During her time as a member of Council, Ms Ferries has served on a wide range of committees, including the Accreditation and Review, Probation, Professional Conduct, and Policy and Strategy Committees, the Probation Appeals Board and then, as it became, the Appeals Board.

From February 1999 to October 2001 she was Convener of the Probation Committee, and from November 2001 to September 2002 she served as Convener of the Disciplinary Sub-Committee. Since November 2005 she has been Convener of the Committee on Exceptional Admission to the Register.

Ms Ferries has been a primary teacher in Glasgow since 1975. Since 1986 she has been Depute Headteacher of Victoria Primary School, Glasgow. On three separate occasions she has been Acting Head Teacher, but did not seek a permanent appointment.

Jim Thewliss

Jim Thewliss has served continuously as an elected member of the General Teaching Council for Scotland since November 2001 on the Tenth and Eleventh Councils in the secondary headteacher category.

At the commencement of the Eleventh Council in November 2005 Mr Thewliss was elected as Vice Convener of Council.

During his time as a member of Council Mr Thewliss has served on a wide range of committees. These include the Accreditation and Review, Education, Finance and General Purposes, and Policy and Strategy Committees, the Probation Appeals Board and then, as it became, the Appeals Board, and the Discipline Working Group. Since November 2005 Mr Thewliss has been Convener of the Disciplinary Sub-Committee.

Mr Thewliss has been a teacher since August 1976. Since August 1997 he has been Headteacher of Harris Academy, Dundee.