The Code of Professionalism and Conduct (COPAC) sets out the principles of conduct that are expected of teachers in meeting their professional and ethical obligations. It is designed to provide guidance and raise awareness of issues and situations which can potentially arise. Parallel to this, the professional values of social justice, trust and respect and integrity are core to teaching standards and underpin your identity as a teacher.
Your commitment to these professional values should be demonstrated in your day-to-day behaviours and actions. Teachers should be positive role models and demonstrate welcoming, encouraging and inclusive behaviours to ensure that everyone they encounter feels valued and is treated with respect. In doing so, teachers align with the expectations of the Equality Act 2010 and the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009, which set out the legal requirements to protect people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation, and for the provision of additional support for learning. It is the responsibility of all colleagues in schools, colleges and workplaces to promote and facilitate a culture and ethos of equality and diversity and to address individual and institutional discrimination. When institutional discrimination is not challenged and addressed it is indicative of systemic failure.
What you say and do in your professional and private life, whether online or in person, shapes the way that people think about you and the reputation of the teaching profession in Scotland.
Employers also have expectations of teachers, and you should be familiar with these and their relevant policies.
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