Professionalism in Practice

About this publication

This leaflet provides information on the following:

• the guidelines teachers should follow when dealing with Pupils/students both in a school environment and on school trips and outings
• the standards that must be met when dealing with colleagues
• potential problems when using the internet and email

Teachers and Pupils/students

A teacher is in a position of trust in relation to pupils and inappropriate conduct is not only totally unprofessional but also unlawful.  The sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 makes it an offence for a person to engage inappropriately with a young person (albeit with consent) under the age of 18 with whom they are in a position of trust.

Innocent comments or contact between pupils and teachers can be misconstrued.  Teachers should always ensure that their professional relationships with pupils are appropriate to the age and gender of the pupils.  Teachers should therefore ensure that:

• they never have inappropriate physical contact with students or pupils
• they understand that so far as inappropriate teacher/pupil relationships are concerned the onus is upon the teacher and not the pupil to distance themselves from any potential situation
• there is no discussion with pupils or students of their own personal relationships
• they are aware of the potential dangers of being in a one-to-one situation with a pupil or student at any time, but especially outwith the school/college setting.  This includes the giving of lifts to or visiting students/pupils in their homes
• they do not engage in private/personal correspondence or communication with a student or pupil by means of text messages or personal e-mails
• photographing/making videos of pupils/students complies with guidelines laid down by employers
• in the course of carrying out any pastoral role, they always conduct teacher/pupil conversations about sensitive issues professionally
• they should have a sound and well-maintained knowledge and understanding of local inter-ageny child protection policies and the procedures to be followed and applied in the event of concerns arising.

Working with others

A teacher must treat all colleagues fairly and in accordance with the law.  Accordingly, teachers should ensure, for example:

• do not allow professional relationships with colleagues, pupils or students to be prejudiced by views about their lifestyle, culture, disability, beliefs, colour, gender, sexuality or age
• do not undermine any colleague through acts or omissions which are malicious, unfounded or unprofessional.  This is of particular importance when in contact with parents, pupils or students
• guard against inappropriate workplace banter or practical jokes, which could be perceived as unprofessional behaviour or harassment of others
• are aware of and comply with employer dignity at work policies and guidelines

 Honesty and integrity

A teacher should be honest and trustworthy and thus must ensure that they:

• are fully accountable when handling school finances and/or funds entrusted to them in connection with, for example, school trips/outings
• follow employer policies and procedures in connection with the handling of finances
• take reasonable care to ensure the accuracy of information prior to signing documents such as passport applications
• be accurate and honest in providing information when applying for employment positions

School trips and educational visits

These have an important part to play in school life and can greatly enrich the educational experience of the pupils and students taking part.  Physical safety is of prime importance.  However, particularly in residential setting, relationships tend to be less formal and the environment is very different from that at school.

Teachers should not allow themselves to overstep the professional boundaries and remember that the professional standard of behaviour expected of them outwith school is no different from that of the professional norm.  Accordingly teachers should ensure, for example, that they:

• have a full knowledge of and comply with the procedures and guidelines laid down for these activities by their employer
• are mindful at all times of the need to maintain a healthy and appropriate balance between formality and informality in relation to the pupils/students in their charge
• avoid situations which are or could be perceived to be of an inappropriate nature.

Inappropriate material, the internet and e-mail 

It is essential that a teacher avoids situations both in and outwith the classroom which could bring him/her into conflict with the Criminal Law or have an actual or perceived impact upon his/her standing as a teacher.  Notwithstanding an individual's right to a private life, a teacher should, for example:

• not have in his/her possession at any time illegal materials/images in electronic or other format
• not have in his/her possession inappropriate materials/images within a work context
• not download or access illegal images at anytime or in any place
• ensure that he/she is fully aware of his/her employer's ICT guidelines and adhere to them
• ensure that all communications with pupils/students are justified in terms of learning and teaching.  In any event, this should be carried out in a professional manner using official school e-mail address and in strict compliance with employer ICT policies
• exercise extreme caution in connection with contact/webcam sites (for example chat rooms, message boards and newsgroups) and not engage in inappropriate communication with individuals under 18 or with whom he/she is in a position of trust

Examinations and assessment

With a greater emphasis on assessment at school level, teachers are now more vulnerable on the one hand to accusations of helping their students/pupils excessively, or on the other hand of falsifying results or course work.

A teacher must be someone who can be relied upon and therefore should ensure that all regulations and procedures are thoroughly adhered to and assessments and exam related tasks are conducted with unquestionable integrity.

Criminal Convictions and the Disqualified from Working with Children List

All criminal behaviour is a serious matter and under the provisions of Circular 5/1989 of the then Scottish Education Department, teaching is a notifiable occupation.  Consequently, once a teacher is registered, the Scottish Criminal Record Office (SCRO) notifies any subsequent criminal convictions directly to GTC Scotland.

Legally, a teacher is in a unique position of trust and therefore criminal behaviour which breaches that trust or is related to child abuse, child pornography or offences of a sexual nature is incompatible with being a teacher.

A person listed (other than provisionally) on the Disqualified from Working with Children List established under the Protection of Children Act 1003 is not entitled to become or remain registered the GTC Scotland.

Teacher also must not behave in a fashion which could call into question their ability to exercise self-control in the school or college setting.  For that reason, behaviour associated with, for example, firearms offences, crimes of a violent nature against a person or property or serious public order offences would most certainly call into question a person's suitability to be a member of the profession.

A teacher must also be of good standing and trustworthy.  Thus offences connected with, for example, theft, dishonesty, fraud or drugs could adversely affect the professional standing of a teacher.

The Council does not condone offending to any degree.  However, isolated minor road traffic offences would not be considered as behaviour incompatible with being a teacher. Nevertheless, as with all convictions, a trend of persistent reoffending would be viewed in a more serious light. 

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Professional Conduct