Ethics provocation videos and roundtables

Trust is at the heart of teaching in Scotland. The trust placed in the teaching profession is symbolised by the responsibility the profession has for its own standards, the responsibility it has to determine its own ethical code and the responsibility it has to self-govern. 

Trust is a fundamental basis upon which the profession can have important conversations. To trust, in this context, is to know that opinions differ, to understand that they can change and to appreciate that they may stay the same.

To support us all in the professional journey involved in determining our own ethical code, we have purposely invited education professionals and experts with diverse, and sometimes potentially controversial views, to stimulate discussion about ethics in the teaching profession. We don’t necessarily agree with all of the views presented, but we believe that it is by actively seeking to understand different perspectives and engaging in open reasoned, discussion and debate that we become critically informed.

You can watch the provocation videos and register for roundtables below.

Provocation videos

These provocations will be discussed at the roundtable on 14 June 2022. If you would like to attend, please register below. If you would like to leave a comment, please use the feedback form below.

Ethical Reasoning Into Action

Courageous School Leadership and the Changing Role and Responsibility of the Teacher: a provocation by Alan Horberry

An Empowered Secondary Curriculum: a provocation by Lyndsay McRoberts and Annette Alexander, Duncanrig Secondary School

Igniting a Passion for Learning: a provocation by Catherine Kucia, Headteacher, Jubilee Park Primary School, Newport, Wales

A sense of fairness, intuition and common sense is not enough – Prof. Emeritus Rowena Arshad

Previous Provocations and Roundtable Recordings

Recordings of earlier provocations The Ethics of Knowledge in Curriculum Design by Dr Joe Smith and Teaching is not a moral profession: an ethical teacher is not a good teacher by Prof Gert Biesta, plus their roundtable discussion, are available by clicking the dropdown below.

Sign-up for Roundtables

We will be holding a series of roundtable events to discuss the themes raised in the provocation videos. Participants will hear from the presenters and get the chance to speak to other professionals in break out rooms. These will be held using Microsoft Teams on the following dates:

• Tuesday 14 June 2022, 4:15 pm – 5:30 pm
• Tuesday 15 November 2022, 4:15 pm – 5:30 pm

Feedback form

We are committed to listening to the profession as we work towards a formal consultation. If you are unable to attend the roundtables and have thoughts you would like to share on the provocations, or any feature of the Ethics and the Teaching Profession project, please do so using the form below.