IN THIS SECTION
CommitteesCommittees
Under the Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 2011, we have flexibility to determine our own committee and panel structure.
Committees
Much of the work of Council is conducted through its committees which have delegated responsibilities in certain areas.
The committees:
- formulate, implement and monitor the policies of GTC Scotland
- advise, inform, and put forward recommendations or proposals for Council or its other committees or sub-committees as appropriate
The membership of committees and sub-committees consists of lay member representation and a registered teacher majority; however a registered teacher majority is not required at meetings of the committees or sub-committees. The quorum applicable to a committee or sub-committee is one third of its membership.
Council members serve on the following committees and sub-committees. These committees and sub-committees can also decide to co-opt teachers or lay persons who are external to Council to their membership:
- Executive Committee
- Regulatory Governance Sub-Committee
- Education Committee
- Finance and General Purposes Committee
- Audit Sub-Committee
- Staffing Sub-Committee
The Council has also established an Appointments Committee and Appeals Board that are independent of the Council in terms of their membership and operation:
- Appointments Committee
Registered teachers and lay persons (external to the Council) are appointed through an open and fair recruitment and selection process to serve on the Appointments Committee.
The quorum for the Appointments Committee is 3, including a registered teacher and a lay person.
- Appeals Board
Registered teachers and lay persons (external to the Council) are appointed by the independent Appointments Committee to serve as Convener, Vice Convener and members of the Appeals Board.
The quorum for the Appeals Board is 3, including a lay person and a majority of registered teachers.
Frequency of Meetings
- the Executive Committee and Regulatory Governance Sub-Committee meet approximately six times per year in between Council meetings
- the Education and Finance and General Purposes Committees meet approximately four times per year in the weeks prior to Council meetings
- the Audit Sub-Committee meets twice per year
- the Staffing Sub-Committee meets as and when required
- meetings of the Appointments Committee and Appeals Board are arranged as and when required
Panels
The Council has established a number of panels which have delegated authority for some statutory roles.
With the exception of the National Assessment Panel and the Standard for Headship Professional Interview Panel, the quorum for the following panels is 3, including a lay person and a majority of registered teachers
Council members normally serve on the following panels. Registered teachers and lay persons (external to the Council) appointed by the independent Appointments Committee to serve on GTC Scotland’s Adjudicating Panels may be called upon to serve on an Investigating Panel as may be required:
The following panel is chaired by a Council member and consists of Council members and persons external to the Council:
The following panels are chaired by a Council member and otherwise consist of persons external to the Council who have a part to play in the relevant professional development route:
- National Assessment Panel
The quorum for the National Assessment Panel includes a Convener appointed by GTC Scotland and otherwise is as set out in the Standing Orders of the National Assessment Panel.
- Standard for Headship Professional Interview Panel
The quorum for the Standard for Headship Professional Interview Panel is 4, including a Convener appointed by GTC Scotland.
Council members do not serve on the following panels. These panels consist solely of registered teachers and lay persons (external to the Council) appointed through an open and fair recruitment and selection process by the independent Appointments Committee to fulfil this role:
Frequency of Meetings
Meetings of panels are scheduled as and when required.
Ad Hoc Committees and Groups
The Council can decide to set up ad hoc committees, sub-committees or panels. Similarly committees and sub-committees can decide to set up ad hoc sub-groups or working groups. This is usually to deal with a specific issue, take on a particular task or oversee a particular area. Where it relates to a particular issue or task, the group is likely to be temporary until the work is completed.
Executive Committee
Delegated responsibility to:
- act and make appropriate decisions on behalf of Council (with the exception of the functions of Council to make rules and schemes) between Council meetings
- establish and review policy and guidance to support the implementation of the Fitness to Teach and Appeals Rules, Registration and Standards Rules or any rules applicable to the National Assessment or Standard for Headship Interview Panels
- oversee the actions of the Regulatory Governance Sub-Committee
- ensure that GTC Scotland meets its responsibilities to perform its functions in a way which appears to represent best regulatory practice
Function:
- to advise, inform and put forward recommendations or proposals to Council (or its other committees or sub-committees where appropriate) on all aspects of:
- shaping the strategic and policy direction of the Council generally
- establishing and reviewing GTC Scotland’s information, communication and technology strategy
- the governance of the Council including the establishment and review of the Standing Order and Committee Scheme, the Election Scheme, the Appointments Scheme and Code of Conduct and Membership Scheme together with any related policies
- the establishment, promotion and review of the standard of conduct expected of a registered teacher
- the establishment, implementation and review of the Fitness to Teach and Appeals Rules as well as any rules applicable to a National Assessment or Standard for Headship Professional Interview Panel
- the establishment and review of the Registration and Standards Rules and Statement of Registration Principles and Practice for applicants qualified outside Scotland
Committee Convener - David Drever (Elected member)
Regulatory Governance Sub-Committee
Delegated responsibility to:
- oversee the actions of the Fitness to Teach, Investigating, National Assessment, Professional Standards, Registration and Standard for Headship Professional Interview Panels
Function:
- to advise, inform and put forward recommendations or proposals to the Executive Committee on all rules, guidance and policies related to the Fitness to Teach, Investigating, National Assessment, Professional Standards, Registration and Standard for Headship Professional Interview Panels
Committee Convener - Patrick J Boyle (Elected member)
Education Committee
Delegated responsibility to:
- carry out, commission and publish research to inform GTC Scotland and stakeholders on its functions
Function:
- to advise, inform and put forward recommendations or proposals to Council (or its other committees or sub-committees where appropriate) on:
- all aspects of the establishment, promotion and review of professional standards (excluding the matter of conduct) for registered teachers
- all aspects of the establishment, promotion and review of a professional recognition award scheme for registered teachers
- the supply of teachers in Scotland (excluding matters of remuneration or conditions of service)
- the education, training and career development of teachers
- all aspects of establishing and reviewing a scheme setting out measures to be undertaken for the purposes of allowing GTC Scotland to keep itself informed about the standards of education and training of teachers
- all aspects of establishing and reviewing the requirements for entry to courses leading to a GTC Scotland recognised teaching qualification
- all aspects of enhancing and promoting the registration of teachers within the further education sector
- any rules, policy or guidance applicable to a Course Accreditation Panel or the course accreditation process
- any consultation exercise, issue or debate arising within the educational community generally and of interest to GTC Scotland
Committee Convener - Jason Fitzgerald (Elected member)
Finance and General Purposes Committee
Delegated responsibility to:
- secure the effective risk management as well as internal and financial control of GTC Scotland
- manage GTC Scotland’s banking and investment arrangements and policies
- oversee the actions of the Audit and Staffing Sub-Committees
- ensure that GTC Scotland meets its responsibilities as a good employer which includes overseeing policy matters related to the remuneration and conditions of service of GTC Scotland employees (excluding the Chief Executive) and staff organisation and structure
- oversee matters related to the management of GTC Scotland property
- oversee implementation of any Council information, communication or technology strategies
- secure the keeping and maintenance of the register
- oversee implementation of the Election, Appointments and Code of Conduct and Membership Schemes (including the performance review process prescribed by Council) and provide advice to other committees, sub-committees or the Chief Executive as may be appropriate in this regard
Function:
- to advise, inform and put forward recommendations or proposals to Council (or its other committees or sub-committees where appropriate) on:
- GTC Scotland’s annual report and accounts
- the remuneration of the Chief Executive
- setting registration and related fees
- ensuring that GTC Scotland acts legally and within its statutory authority
Committee Convener - Ian Jackson (Appointed Lay member)
Audit Sub-Committee
Function:
- to advise and inform on, put forward recommendations or proposals on and advance generally on the Finance and General Purpose Committee’s behalf, all aspects of the audit, including internal audit, of GTC Scotland each financial year
- to advise on and consider such further matters as the Finance and General Purposes Committee may refer to it related to GTC Scotland’s accounts, accounting policies, internal audit, internal control systems or similar
Staffing Sub-Committee
Function:
- to advise and inform on, put forward recommendations or proposals on and advance generally on the Finance and General Purpose Committee’s behalf, such GTC Scotland staffing matters as may be referred to it
Appointments Committee
Function:
- to operate independently of Council in accordance with the Appointments Scheme with delegated responsibility for overseeing the appointment of individuals to serve on GTC Scotland committees/panels and the appointment of the 7 lay members of Council
Committee Convener - Anja Amsel (Appointed Lay member)
Committee Vice Convener - Stewart McLean (Appointed Lay member)
Appeals Board
Function:
- to operate independently of Council with delegated responsibility for:
- adjudicating (in accordance with the Fitness to Teach and Appeals Rules) applications made to it appealing GTC Scotland decisions
- adjudicating any case referred to it in accordance with the terms of the Code of Conduct and Membership Scheme that governs Council members and appointees to committees/panels
Committee Convener - Pamela Munn (Elected member)
Committee Vice Convener - Neil Simco (Elected member)
Investigating Panel
Delegated responsibility to:
- investigate and determine complaints made against registered teachers or those seeking registration in accordance with the terms of the Fitness to Teach and Appeals Rules
Panel Convener - Ephraim Borowski (Appointed Lay member)
Panel Convener - Patricia Fallow (Elected member)
Panel Convener - David McCue (Appointed Lay member)
Panel Convener - Leslie Manson (Nominated member)
Professional Standards Panel
Delegated responsibility to:
- adjudicate any case referred to it in terms of the Registration and Standards Rules relating to the matter of professional standards
Panel Convener - Bob Davis (Nominated member)
Panel Vice Convener - Karen Farrell (Elected member)
Course Accreditation Panel
Delegated responsibility:
- for scrutinising, reviewing and accrediting where it sees fit courses leading to the award of a GTC Scotland recognised teaching qualification or any GTC Scotland professional standard in accordance with any applicable GTC Scotland procedural rules, policy or guidance
National Assessment Panel
Delegated responsibility to:
- determine submissions relating to the award of GTC Scotland’s professional standard for Chartered Teacher via the accreditation route
Panel Convener - Karen Farrell (Elected member)
Standard for Headship Professional Interview Panel
Delegated responsibility to:
- conduct professional interviews related to the award of GTC Scotland’s professional standard for headship
Panel Convener - Ian Anderson (Elected member)
Panel Convener - Patricia Duncan (Elected member)
Panel Convener - Dorothy Ferguson (Nominated member)
Panel Convener - James Hammond (Elected member)
Panel Convener - Derek Thompson (Elected member)
Fitness to Teach Panel
Delegated responsibility to:
- adjudicate probationary service or complaints made against registered teachers or those seeking registration in accordance with the terms of the Fitness to Teach and Appeals Rules
Registration Panel
Delegated responsibility to:
- adjudicate any case referred to it in terms of the Registration and Standards Rules relating to the matter of registration
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