Application for registration references

If you qualified outside of Scotland, we will require a reference on your most recent teaching service. If you have not taught during the last five years we will require a character reference instead.

This reference is an integral part of the assessment process for teachers wishing to register in Scotland.

We can also consider references on teaching service towards the probationary period in Scotland. Further information can be found on Previous service in lieu of probation

Advice for Candidates

We require referees to be:

• a senior member of staff at the school or college
• able to comment on your teaching service

We normally require reference forms to be countersigned by the headteacher or principal of the school or college.

We are only able to consider professional references on teaching service from the last 5 years. You will need to nominate a character referee instead if you have not taught during the last 5 years.

Important: It is your responsibility to ensure that your referee's contact details are accurate and that they are willing to provide a report. We would recommend that you contact your nominated referee prior to nomination to ensure they are willing to support your application and advise them that a GTC Scotland reference form will be sent to them.

Issues which may affect your references

1. My referee is no longer employed at my current school and/or has recently retired or the school where I was employed has closed

We are able to accept reference forms completed by a referee who is no longer employed at the school where you taught. You should provide details of their home address on the application form.

2. My referee does not speak or cannot write in English

All referee reports must be given in English. If your nominated professional referee (e.g. the Head teacher) can't speak English, a character reference from an English speaking referee will be accepted instead.

3. My referee wants to submit their own reference letter

All references must be given on our referee form. We will not accept references in any other format, e.g. reference letter. NB If the referee chooses to complete the front of the form and then attach typed answers to the sections of the General Teaching Council for Scotland's (GTCS) own form then this will be acceptable.

4. My school has closed for summer break and my referee is on holiday

You are advised to contact the Teacher Registration department directly for guidance on nominating your referees. Please email registration@gtcs.org.uk

Advice for Referees

You will be sent a standard reference form which will ask you to comment on the following four areas:

1. Curriculum Knowledge, Understanding and Development
2. Teaching Methods and Assessment Strategies
3. Classroom Organisation and Behaviour Management
4. Professional Responsibilities, Values and Personal Commitment to the Teaching Profession

We ask that you ensure all sections of the reference form are fully completed. If the form is returned to us incomplete, we will return it to you for further completion. Please note that incomplete references can have a detrimental effect on the applicant's request for registration.

Our policy is to only accept signed, hard copies of references and therefore we are unable to accept references in any other formats such as email. For authentication purposes, we require the Head teacher of the school to countersign and stamp the form. All reference forms must be returned to us within 28 days. Please note that we cannot assess applications without referee reports and that if these are not received within the required timescale the application will have to be closed.

It is possible for GTC Scotland to email the reference form to an official school email address. However, the completed form must be returned by post/fax to us.

Please note that we require all references to be given on our GTC Scotland reference form.