Role and Remit

GTC Scotland is the statutory, independent professional body which maintains and enhances teaching standards and promotes and regulates the teaching profession in Scotland.

We were the first such professional body for teaching and teachers in the United Kingdom and one of the first teaching councils in the world.

Our functions are:

• to maintain a register of persons entitled to teach in public sector schools and colleges in Scotland
• to maintain and enhance the Professional Standards - in terms of the The Standard for Initial Teacher Education (ITE), The Standard for Full Registration and The Standard for Chartered Teacher, and to administer The Standard for Headship
• to keep under review the standards of education, training and fitness to teach of persons entering the teaching profession in Scotland and to make recommendations to Scottish Ministers on this matter
• to keep informed of the education and professional preparation of teachers in teacher education institutions, and to review the content and arrangement of, and accredit, teacher education programmes
• to determine whether, in any particular case under its registration and disciplinary powers, registration is to be refused or withdrawn on grounds of professional conduct or withdrawn on grounds of professional competence
• to make recommendations to Scottish Ministers on the supply of teachers
• to oversee the management of the probationary period for teachers
• in the area of Continuing Professional Development -
  • to accredit all modules and programmes leading to the award of The Standard for Chartered Teacher and all programmes leading to the award of The Standard for Headship
  • to manage the support and assessment of claims for the accreditation of prior learning by experienced teachers who can demonstrate that they have achieved the The Standard for Chartered Teacher
  • to convene a professional interview in respect of a teacher recommended for the professional award of The Standard for Headship as part of the national Flexible Routes to Headship pilot project
  • to make recommendations to Scottish Ministers on the career development, ie CPD and staff development and review of teachers, and such other recommendations as may be necessary from time to time

About Us

View a short video on the roles and aims of GTC Scotland.

View the About Us video transcript.