Professionalism & Maintaining Trust in the Profession

As a registered teacher:

1.1 You should have knowledge of and maintain the key principles contained in the Professional Standards, Codes and guidance issued by the Council and as they may be reviewed and reissued from time to time

1.2 You must maintain appropriate professional boundaries, avoid improper contact or relationships with pupils and respect your unique position of trust as a teacher

1.3 You should avoid situations both within and outwith the classroom which could be in breach of the criminal law or may call into question your suitability to be a teacher

1.4 You must uphold standards of personal and professional conduct, honesty and integrity so that the public have confidence in you as a teacher and teaching as a profession

1.5 You should always be honest and accurate when providing professional information about colleagues or yourself, particularly when applying for posts or in your dealings with the Council and employers

1.6 You should maintain an awareness that as a teacher you are a role model to pupils

Commentary

Parents in particular and the public in general place a very high degree of trust in teachers. Pupils rely upon teachers to interpret what is right and what is wrong.

Teachers are often called upon to make difficult decisions regarding pupils and therefore in exercising judgement you should think very carefully of the implication and potential consequences of the options open to you. You should also bear in mind how your decision and subsequent action may appear or be interpreted by others not fully aware of all of the circumstances.

Children and Young People

Teachers should recognise teacher/pupil boundaries and the negative impact that breaches of these boundaries have upon pupils and the confidence of the public.

With regard to inappropriate relationships with pupils you should:

• appreciate fully that the onus is upon you as the teacher and not the pupil to distance yourself from any potentially inappropriate situation;
• avoid sexual contact with or remarks towards a pupil regardless of the age of the pupil or apparent consent of the pupil;
• not attempt to establish an inappropriate relationship with a pupil by means which might include (but are not limited to):

– communication of a personal nature
– engaging in inappropriate dialogue through the Internet with pupils
– sending emails or text messages to pupils of an inappropriate or personal nature

As a teacher you must:

• not discuss your own private and personal relationships with pupils and be mindful to maintain an appropriate balance between formality and informality when you are dealing with pupils.
• take care to avoid becoming personally involved in pupils' personal affairs;
• be aware of the potential dangers of being alone with a pupil in a private or isolated situation, avoiding circumstances which are or could be perceived to be of an inappropriate nature. This also is the case in connection with social networking websites, outwith the school/college setting and in subject areas such as Music, PE and Drama
• not by any means or in any circumstances, make, view or access illegal or inappropriate images of children;
• exercise extreme caution in connection with contact/web cam internet sites (for example chat rooms, message boards, and newsgroups) and avoid inappropriate communication with individuals under 18 or with whom you may be in a position of trust

School Trips and Outings

These have an important part to play in school life and can greatly enrich the educational experience of pupils and students taking part. Physical safety is of prime importance.

However, particularly in the residential setting, relationships tend to be less formal and the environment is very different from that at school. You should not allow yourself to overstep the professional boundaries and remember that the professional standard of behaviour expected of you on an educational outing outwith the structure of the normal school day is no different from that of the professional norm. Accordingly you should ensure, for example, that you:

• have a full knowledge of and comply with the procedures and guidelines laid down for these activities by your employer and the requirements of health and safety;
• are always mindful of the need to maintain a healthy and appropriate balance between formality and informality and avoid situations which are or could be perceived to be of an inappropriate nature

Honesty and Integrity

As a teacher you must:

• not engage in criminal behaviour of any kind, especially those related to, sex, firearms, misuse of drugs and violence against a person or property or serious public order offences;
• be honest and trustworthy, especially avoiding offences such as theft, dishonesty, extortion, fraud or misuse of drugs;
• act with integrity when writing references, making declarations or conducting tasks in connection with pupils' examinations and/or assessments
• be conscious that you are a role model and that young people may be strongly influenced by things you may do or say both within or outwith the classroom

Back to the Draft Code of Professionalism and Conduct.