Panel meeting - Competence - Frances Ridley

Definitions

• Any reference in this decision to:
• ‘GTC Scotland’ means the General Teaching Council for Scotland;
• the ‘Panel’ means the Fitness to Teach Panel considering the case;
• the ‘Rules’ means the GTC Scotland Fitness to Teach Rules 2017;
• the ‘Standards’ means the GTC Scotland Standards for Registration 2021;
• the ‘SFR’ means the GTC Scotland Standard for Full Registration; and
• the ‘Register’ means the GTC Scotland Register of teachers.

Recommendation

The Teacher has been registered with GTC Scotland since 2001 and latterly worked at Banchory Primary School, the ’school’), Aberdeenshire Council (the ‘local authority’).

GTC Scotland received a recommendation from the local authority that the Teacher’s registration be removed because it is alleged that she lacks professional competence. In the Case Overview Report (COR) submitted with the recommendation, it is alleged that the Teacher lacks professional competence with reference to her failure to meet and maintain the sections of the Standards for Full Registration (SFR) as indicated by an “N”. (Standards met are indicated by a “Y” and “NJ” indicates no judgement):

1. Being a Teacher in Scotland (SFR)

• 1.1 Professional Values (NJ)
• 1.2 Professional Commitment (NJ)

2. Professional Knowledge and Understanding (SFR)

2.1. Curriculum and Pedagogy (SFR)

• 2.1.1 Have knowledge and understanding of Pedagogical Theories and Professional Practice (NJ)
• 2.1.2 Have knowledge and understanding of Research and Engagement in Practitioner Enquiry (NJ)
• 2.1.3 Have knowledge and understanding of Curriculum Design (NJ)
• 2.1.4 Have knowledge and understanding of Planning for Assessment, Teaching and Learning (NJ)

2.2 Professional Responsibilities (SFR)

• 2.2.1 Have knowledge and understanding of Education Systems (NJ)
• 2.2.2 Have knowledge and understanding of Learning Communities (NJ)

3. Professional Skills and Abilities

3.1 Curriculum and Pedagogy (SFR)

• 3.1.1 Plan effectively to meet learners’ needs (NJ)
• 3.1.2 Utilise pedagogical approaches and resources (NJ)
• 3.1.3 Utilise partnerships for learning and wellbeing (NJ)
• 3.1.4 Employ assessment, evaluate progress, recording and reporting as an integral part of the teaching process to support and enhance learning (NJ)

3.2 The Learning Context (SFR)

• 3.2.1 Appropriately organise and manage learning (N)
• 3.2.2 Engage learner participation (N)
• 3.2.3 Build positive, rights respecting relationships for learning (N)

3.3 Professional Learning (SFR)

• 3.3.1 Engage critically with literature, research and policy (NJ)
• 3.3.2 Engage in reflective practice to develop and advance career-long professional learning and expertise (NJ)

The Case Overview Report explained to the Teacher why the local authority formed this view.

Decision

The Panel carefully considered all of the written evidence provided with the Case Overview Report, which was:

1. Case Overview Report and Support Documentation Combined submitted by the
2. Local Authority in support of the recommendation, dated 25 October 2024
3. Initial response to Case Overview Report Form (Teacher Challenge Removal Form), dated 11 June 2025
4. Teacher’s response to COR complete with signature, dated 11 June 2025 66
5. Teacher’s Response to COR Supporting evidence, dated 11 June 2025, which includes:
   
   • Letter from [redacted]
   • Letter from [redacted]
   • Letter from [redacted]
   • Letter from [redacted]
   • Letter from [redacted]
   • Letter from [redacted]
   • Letter from [redacted]
   • Teacher’s Reflections
   • Open University course booking confirmations
   • Teacher’s concerns regarding [redacted]
   • Teacher’s CPD and CPD reflections
   • Supporting papers of lesson preparations and class outlines
   • Emails with EIS – 20 November 2023 (Email 1)
   • Emails with EIS – 3 December 2023 (Email 2)
   • Emails with EIS – 17 December 2023 (Email 3)
   • Emails with EIS – 20 December 2023 (Email 4)
   • Email to [redacted] – 20 January 2024 (Email 5)
   • Emails with EIS – 12 May 2024 (Email 6)
   • Emails with EIS – 27 May 2024 (Email 7)
   • Emails with EIS – 10 June 2024 (Emails 8)
   • Emails with EIS – 13 June 2024 (Email 9)
   • Emails with EIS – 27 June 2024 (Email 10)
   • Emails with EIS – 4 July 2024 (Email 11)
6. Employer response to Teacher COR, dated 25 August 2025
7. Hearing Notice, dated 20 November 2025
8. Email from Rep stating that the Teacher wishes to withdraw challenge to recommendation, dated 25 November 2025
9. Reminder to Teacher Rep for challenge form to be sent, dated 8 January 2026
10. Response form confirming Teacher does not wish to challenge recommendation, dated 7 December 2025, received 13 January 2026

The Panel considered all the above material. The Panel was mindful that the Teacher had had sight of this material and that she did not wish to challenge the recommendation. It is of note that the Teacher initially provided evidence to defend her position in respect of the standards, which reflected an original position of wishing to challenge the recommendation; however, this position has since changed, and the Teacher now accepts the recommendation for removal.

The Panel saw no reason to doubt that the local authority’s recommendation for removal was made in good faith and it accepted the material that had been submitted as credible and reliable. The Panel noted a significant amount of support was provided to the Teacher as evidenced within the documents issued by the local authority, and of particular note, in respect of standards 3.2.1, 3.2.2, and 3.2.3 which was determined by the local authority as having not been met.

Against this background, the Panel did not consider it necessary for a hearing to be arranged and, as provided for by Rules 3.1.1 and 3.8, it decided to direct that the recommendation be accepted and ordered that the Teacher’s name be removed from the Register accordingly.  

Once the Teacher’s name has been removed from the Register, her name remains so removed unless and until an application for re-registration is made by her and a Fitness to Teach Panel directs that the application be granted.  

The Panel directed that the Teacher should be prohibited from making an application for re-registration for a period of 2 years from the date of this decision as it considered this to be an appropriate and proportionate period of time with reference to the content of the recommendation that had been made and accepted.

Appeal

In accordance with Article 24 of the Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 2011, the Teacher has the right to appeal to the Court of Session against the decision within 28 days of the date of service of the written notice.

The Teacher’s name will remain on the Register until the appeal period has expired and any appeal lodged within that period has been determined.