Expression of views
Teachers, like all other citizens, have the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This right is balanced with your duty to safeguard learners, promote equality and inclusion and maintain public trust in the profession. Teachers are expected to uphold the professional values in their public and online conduct as well as in their work environment.
It is important to avoid making public or online statements which could cast doubt on your ability to discharge your professional duties. Comments that could be reasonably interpreted by others as offensive, abusive or inflammatory could give rise to an impression that you discriminate against certain types of learners, parents, carers and colleagues. Your online and public statements must be consistent with maintaining the reputation of the teaching profession and with protecting the rights of all learners and colleagues.
If you have any concerns about a view you have expressed, online or in public, you should seek advice from your employer, and you may wish to contact a professional association.
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Online Conduct
Teachers should be mindful when engaging in online spaces (for example, social media, blogs and forums). The disclaimer “views are my own” is unlikely to provide protection from any repercussions of what is posted. What you share reflects on you and the teaching profession.
You must avoid posting content or engaging in discussions which could be perceived as discriminatory, offensive, obscene or sexually explicit in a way that undermines your professional role. If you are contributing to professional discussions online, you are expected to be respectful, constructive and act with honesty and integrity, in line with the Professional Standards for Teachers.
Teaching environment
Teachers should ensure that their teaching environment is inclusive, accessible and safe.
Teachers are expected to model inclusive language. You must avoid expressions that could undermine equality duties or learners’ rights.
Teachers sometimes discuss controversial or sensitive topics which are relevant to learning. Discussions must have due regard to learners’ age, stage and individual circumstances. All views must be presented fairly and factually. You must remember you have professional responsibilities to promote equality, diversity and inclusion and to tackle discrimination. You, as a teacher, have made a professional commitment to learning and learners that is compatible with the aspiration of achieving a sustainable and equitable world (Professional Standards, 2021).
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Teachers, like all other citizens, have the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This right is balanced with your duty to safeguard learners, promote equality and inclusion and maintain public trust in the profession. Teachers are expected to uphold the professional values in their public and online conduct as well as in their work environment.
It is important to avoid making public or online statements which could cast doubt on your ability to discharge your professional duties. Comments that could be reasonably interpreted by others as offensive, abusive or inflammatory could give rise to an impression that you discriminate against certain types of learners, parents, carers and colleagues. Your online and public statements must be consistent with maintaining the reputation of the teaching profession and with protecting the rights of all learners and colleagues.
If you have any concerns about a view you have expressed, online or in public, you should seek advice from your employer, and you may wish to contact a professional association.
{{big-quote-01}}
Online Conduct
Teachers should be mindful when engaging in online spaces (for example, social media, blogs and forums). The disclaimer “views are my own” is unlikely to provide protection from any repercussions of what is posted. What you share reflects on you and the teaching profession.
You must avoid posting content or engaging in discussions which could be perceived as discriminatory, offensive, obscene or sexually explicit in a way that undermines your professional role. If you are contributing to professional discussions online, you are expected to be respectful, constructive and act with honesty and integrity, in line with the Professional Standards for Teachers.
Teaching environment
Teachers should ensure that their teaching environment is inclusive, accessible and safe.
Teachers are expected to model inclusive language. You must avoid expressions that could undermine equality duties or learners’ rights.
Teachers sometimes discuss controversial or sensitive topics which are relevant to learning. Discussions must have due regard to learners’ age, stage and individual circumstances. All views must be presented fairly and factually. You must remember you have professional responsibilities to promote equality, diversity and inclusion and to tackle discrimination. You, as a teacher, have made a professional commitment to learning and learners that is compatible with the aspiration of achieving a sustainable and equitable world (Professional Standards, 2021).
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End of document
COPAC 1.4 - You must uphold standards of personal and professional conduct, honesty and integrity so that the public have confidence in you as a teacher and teaching as a profession.
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COPAC 5.3 - You should recognise that you are a role model and therefore should be aware of the potentially serious impact which any demonstration by you of intolerance or prejudice could have upon your standing as a teacher and your fitness to teach.
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