Council Elections
Arrangements for Council election 2021-2022
The GTC Scotland Council election is now open. The ballot will close on Friday 11 February at noon.
GTC Scotland’s Council
GTC Scotland is governed by a Council of 37 members. This includes 19 elected registered teachers, 11 educational stakeholder nominees and seven lay members appointed by an independent Appointments Committee.
A rolling programme of elections, nominations and appointments for approximately half of the Council membership takes place every 2 years. This ensures we retain a degree of operational continuity within Council. Council members serve for a 4-year term.
GTC Scotland registered teachers are to be elected to fill seven seats on Council for a 4-year term and two for a 2-year term (the 2-year term seats are to fill interim vacancies) as set out in the table below.
Those elected will take up office on 2 April 2022.
Election categories
The table below provides an explanation of the categories in which the seven registered teachers are to be elected for a 4-year term and two teachers for a 2-year term:
| No of election category | Codes | Election Category | Council members to be elected for a four-year term | Council members to be elected for a two-year term | Qualifications of persons entitled to nominate candidates and to vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | “P” & “PHT” | Teachers (including headteachers) in primary schools or nursery schools in Scotland | 3 (One seat will be reserved to those employed as headteachers) | – | Registered teachers in primary schools or nursery schools in Scotland (a registered teacher (whether a teacher or headteacher) may vote for a teacher or headteacher.) |
| II | “S” & “SHT” | Teachers (including headteachers in secondary schools in Scotland | 4 (One seat will be reserved to those employed as headteachers) | 1 (One seat will be reserved to those employed as headteachers) | Registered teachers in secondary schools in Scotland (a registered teacher (whether a teacher or headteacher) may vote for a teacher or headteacher.) |
| III | “F” | Teachers/lecturers in the further education sector in Scotland | – | 1 | Registered teachers/ lecturers in the further education sector in Scotland |
| IV | “T” | Teachers/lecturers in universities in Scotland providing courses of Initial Teacher Education | – | – | Registered teachers/ lecturers in universities in Scotland providing courses of Initial Teacher Education |
Election Governance and Supervision
The Independent Scrutineer appointed to supervise how the election is conducted and preserve the integrity of the election process is: Civica, Eighth Floor, Southbank Central, 30 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9LQ.
The Election Scheme and Election Policy that govern the election process are available below. This information can be provided in alternative formats on request to returning.officer@gtcs.org.uk.
Returning Officer: Lisa Dobie
Deputy Returning Officer: Jennifer Macdonald
Election Categories
There are four election categories which are determined according to employment:
- Primary school teachers
- Secondary school teachers
- Further education teachers/lecturers
- Teachers/lecturers delivering Initial Teacher Education
Nominations
Nominations have now closed for the 2021-2022 elections.
Voting
The Electorate Qualifying Date was Wednesday 1 December 2021 (5 pm), after which no one may be added to the roll of electors. Voting will take place solely online. The Independent Scrutineer will send ballot information and instructions out by email and will determine the validity of, and count, votes received.
Emails with ballot information and instructions will be distributed by Wednesday 12 January 2022. Information on candidates can be found on the election website. Online votes must be received by the Independent Scrutineer by 12 noon on Friday 11 February 2022. The result of the election will be announced on Tuesday 15 February 2022 (or as soon as possible after that date).
What you need to do
If you have not received a ballot by Wednesday 12 January 2022, please check your junk mail folder. Emails will be issued from GTCS@cestoves.com and the subject line will be GTC Scotland Council Election 2021-2022.
Please contact returning.officer@gtcs.org.uk if you have any queries.
Key election 2021/2022 diary dates
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| 16 August 2021 | Election advertised, nomination papers available online or on request. |
| 20 September 2021 (5 pm) | Closing date for receipt of nomination papers. All candidates must be in the correct election category by this date. |
| From 10 January 2022 | Emails with ballot information and instructions sent to registrants to enable them to vote online. |
| 11 February 2022 (12 noon) | Closing date for receipt of online votes. |
| 15 February 2022 (or as soon as possible after this date) | Publication of results. |
| 16 and 17 March 2022 | Induction meetings of the new Council. |
| 2 April 2022 | New Council members take up office. |