Panel Meeting - Virtual Hearing Proposal and Anonymity Application - Teacher E
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; and
- the ‘Rules’ (and any related expression) means the GTC Scotland Fitness to Teach Rules 2017 or refers to a provision (or provisions) within them.
Virtual Hearing Proposal
Background
The Panel Meeting was arranged to consider the following:
- A proposal made by the Servicing Officer for the use of video-link or teleconference in a Full Subsequent Registration Hearing to allow a virtual Full Hearing.
By default, GTC Scotland conducts all its fitness to teach hearings in person in its dedicated Hearings Suite at its office in Edinburgh. However, in line with Rule 1.7.6, a Fitness to Teach Panel may order that all or any part of a hearing may be conducted by the use of electronic communications provided the method adopted allows the parties, the Panel and any witnesses to attend remotely, and, where the hearing is in public, allows the public to view proceedings.
Electronic communications are commonly used for witnesses to give evidence by participating from a remote location. In addition, an entire hearing may be conducted via electronic communication. Such a hearing is described as a ‘virtual hearing’.
An application for use of electronic communications in relation to a participant taking part in a hearing from a remote location or for a virtual hearing is made by the party who wants to use electronic communication. In certain cases, a proposal is made by GTC Scotland. The relevant procedure and criteria for determining such applications are set out in the Use of Electronic Communications in Hearings Practice Statement.
Evidence
In accordance with Rule 1.7.17, the Panel admitted all of the documents and statements listed below as evidence for the purposes of the meeting:
- Virtual Hearing Proposal, dated 30 May 2025, with appendices including:
- Case Management Directions, dated 22 April 2025
- Response to Case Management Directions, dated 25 April 2025
Preliminary Matters
There were no preliminary matters for the Panel to consider.
Proposal
A proposal dated 30 May 2025 for the use of video-link or teleconference in a Full Hearing was made by GTC Scotland. The Panel considered the proposal and submissions made.
Decision
The Panel granted the proposal for the hearing to take place virtually.
Anonymity Application
Background
The Panel Meeting was arranged to consider the following:
- (a) For the Applicant’s name, GTC Scotland Registration Number, Local Authority, school and any other information that may lead to the identification of the Applicant to be anonymised/redacted in any written decision(s) of GTC Scotland in relation to the Applicant’s Subsequent Registration Application.
- (b) For GTC Scotland to publish only a brief decision setting out: whether or not the Anonymity/Subsequent Registration Applications were granted; and recording that the full versions of them will be provided to the Registrar who may make them available (in an appropriately anonymised or redacted form) to any person who has legitimate grounds for accessing the information contained in them.
Evidence
In accordance with rule 1.7.17, the Panel admitted all of the documents and statements listed below as evidence for the purposes of the hearing:
- Anonymity Application, dated 29 May 2024 with appendices including:
- Original Anonymity Application, dated 30 August 2022
- Original Anonymity Application Panel Decision Annex, dated 16 September 2022
Preliminary Matters
There were no preliminary matters for the Panel to consider.
Decision
The Panel decided to grant the application in both parts, (a) and (b). And in light of part (b) coming into effect, the full version of this decision will be provided to the Registrar.
